Diwali 2021 - Vaishali Magazine

Diwali 2 21 VAISHALI Special Edition ANAJB Bihar Jharkhand Association of North America [email protected] 1460 Lafite Court,Toms River,NJ 08753 www.bjana.org Cover page art by Shobharani Singh

Bihar Jharkhand Association of North America Diwali

Bihar Jharkhand Association of North America FROM THE PRESIDENT'S DESK DR. AVINASH GUPTA When the second wave hit India, we started getting MD FACC frantic calls about overworked doctors, full capacity PRESIDENT, BJANA hospital beds, shortage of oxygen. We came together and started PRAN-BJANA covid hotline and helped This Diwali will be a lot brighter than the one we thousands of patients on Zoom on a daily basis. We celebrated -- actually, we didn’t -- last year, the year joined hands with Aastha in Patna and Asha in that will remain etched in our memory for a long Ranchi, sent over 50 oxygen concentrators, 2 time to come. Many of us lost our dear ones or know ambulances, and funds to establish PRAN-BJANA someone who did. But the fact that I was able to pen charity clinics, and are still running ongoing health this and you are able to read it is a telling tale of our camps in remote rural areas. BJANA was instrumental collective resilience. Yes, we made it. in providing a crematorium for Darbhanga with the help of FIA NY NJ & CT and getting it GST-exempted As I write this sitting in my study well past midnight with the help of the Bihar government. We thank FIA and sipping chai prepared by my better-half, Geeta, I for their continuous support. find it hard to describe in a few paragraphs what BJANA did in the past nightmare of a year. But I will My special gratitude to Ramesh Bhatia Family still give it a whirl and spare you reading pages and Foundation's generous donations, BJANA was able to pages about our extraordinary efforts. Blowing our support PRavasi Alumni Nishulk clinic, which is now own trumpet is never good, but talking about our known and registered as PRAN-BJANA clinic and is efforts will encourage the young brigade of this fast- operating in Bihar and Jharkhand. We were able to growing family. make significant contributions to Bihar Netraheen Parishad's Antarjyoti Balika Vidyalay for a Vocational I distinctly remember we were getting ready for the Training Center. BJANA is also supporting Kara Holi celebrations in 2020, and the calamity struck. Medical Foundation to help victims of head and spine But the BJANA family refused to bow down and injury victims with assistive devices, thanks again to sprang into action and started informational Ramesh Bhatia Family Foundation. webinars, distributed masks, sanitizers, food packets for our Matribhumi. I thank our BJANA team for holding the first-ever incredible online Summer Camp for our youth this In our Karmabhumi, we sent hot meals to year. healthcare workers and distributed face shields made by BJANA kids. We tried our best to get as Indian Consulate in New York has been very many BJANA members vaccinated as possible. We supportive of BJANA and we thank them from the conducted several events online successfully with bottom of our hearts. the strong participation of our members. We conducted the first-ever BJANA Bihar Business As I come near the end of my presidential term and Conclave. We got all Bihari organizations from pass the mantle to someone else, I can say BJANA is across America on a single platform for interaction the best thing that has happened to me. I got an with Hon'ble CM Nitish Kumar. Central cabinet opportunity to serve. In return, I got a large extended ministers Hon'ble Arjun Munda, Ravishankar family thousands of miles away from home. I got more Prasad, V. Muraleedharan, Hon'ble MP Pashupati love and respect from BJANA than I would ever be Nath Singh were some of the esteemed guests on our able to give back. webinars. \"TATA is not goodbye” comes to my mind. “TATA is not goodbye” comes to my mind. BJANA will BJANA will always be part of my remaining always be part of my remaining life. I look forward to life. I look forward to seeing you all in Chhath seeing you all in Chhath on November 10/11 in on November 10/11 in Thompson Park, Monroe. Thompson Park, Monroe. Our dream is to have a Our dream is to have a GLOBAL BJANA MEET in GLOBAL BJANA MEET in Atlantic City and a BJANA Atlantic City and a BJANA BHAVAN in NJ with BHAVAN in NJ with your support. your support.\" Vaishali - Diwali Special Edition 2021 Page - 1

Bihar Jharkhand Association of North America BJANA EXECUTIVE TEAM 2020-2021 Dr.Avinash Gupta President Anurag Kumar Sanjeev Singh Pranit Singh Vishal Sinha Vice President General Secretary Joint Secretary Treasurer Sudhakar Raj Dr. Anil K. Dr. Anil Kumar Alok Kumar Sanjay Gupta Singh Technology and Agrawal Fundraising and Community Outreach Audio/Video Engg Executive Member Community Outreach Public Relations and Govt. co-ordinator Aditi Mohan Vandana Prabish Shilpie Sinha Shaily Jha Chaurasia Cultural Secretary Abhishek Kumar Fundraising and Magazine and Event Management Community Outreach Newsletter Publication Photography and Content Rohi Singh Sushant Krishen Social Media and Website Management Content Page - 2 Vaishali - Diwali Special Edition 2021

CULTURAL SONGS PROGRAMS RAJANI MISHRA SHREYANSH SINGH SHEKHAR KRPALANI INSTRUMENTALS ISHANI GOSWAMI, DARSH GOSWAMI, YASHI KUMAR ABHINAV SRIVASTAV BOLLYWOOD DANCE ANAMIKA SHARMA, AAVYA SHARMA KIYANA SINGH, AASHNA SHAH, VIVAAN KOTHARI ADWIT SINGH, YASH SINGH, ADVIK SHRIVASTAV VANSHIKA MISHRA, PRITI MISHRA PREETI SHARMA, NIVEDITA CHOUDHARY, GEETANJALI JHA, KANAK LATA, PRIYANKA SINGH BEENA GUPTA, POOJA GOYAL, SARIKA DUBEY SHAILY JHA, SALONI SAH, ANKITA MISHRA, HETU PATEL SANTOSH JHA, RAJNI JHA, PRAFUL MISHRA, RAJANI MISHRA, PRIYA SINGH, VIKRAMJEET KUMAR, SHILPI SINHA, ANISH ANAND, SHIKA KUMARI, AMIT KUMAR, KASHISH SINGH, ALOK SINGH AND A ROCKING DJ Vaishali - Diwali Special Edition 2021 Page - 3

Bihar Jharkhand Association of North America MESSAGE FROM THE CM OF BIHAR NITISH KUMAR Vaishali - Diwali Special Edition 2021 Page - 4

May the festival of lights illuminate your days! Ramesh and Kalpana Bhatia From, Foundation Kalpana and Ramesh Wishes all the BJANA members a very Bhatia, Happy Diwali and Chhath Anita and Niraj Page - 5

Bihar Jharkhand Association of North America MESSAGE FROM THE CM OF JHARKHAND Vaishali - Diwali Special Edition 2021 Page - 6

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Bihar Jharkhand Association of North America WHAT BJANA HAS DONE SO FAR.. A small section of Indian American doctors, who hail from Bihar and Jharkhand in India, are trying to make a difference in the economically backward region of the country, which has gone through a catastrophic wave of Covid-19. Unable to visit India due to travel restrictions, these doctors have set up a free healthcare delivery mechanism by drawing on their decades-long experience and utilizing telehealth. The doctors had long been desirous to serve poor people in the region by providing free healthcare and medical advice via telehealth. The idea conceived by RMCH/RIMS physicians came to fruition in February 2020 in the form of PRAN clinic—a Sanskrit word, which means life-force. PRAN was also chosen as an acronym to reflect these values: PRavasi – Alumni- Nishulk. Within days of being set up, the clinic was thronged by a large number of patients. By the end of the second week, their EMR had about 200 patients. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, they had to move to telehealth services as previously envisioned. They continue to screen and provide services to patients via telehealth and currently have approximately 550 patient encounters. RECENT DEVELOPMENTS: As the group received generous support through BJANA to take the clinical activities in Jharkhand and Bihar to the next level, the deadly second Covid wave hit the country, which saw 250,000 new cases and 5,500 deaths every day. The Indian health infrastructure was unprepared and there were patients and families lining up outside hospitals, in ICUs, or needing medical advice and support at home. WITH BJANA'S HELP 1. A WhatsApp group was created to provide direct answers to 10. 14 Webinars were conducted to increase awareness clinical questions, direct them to proper resources or just provide reassurance. This group had a completely filled and education on Covid prevention, home management, capacity of 256 patients a day that was renewed frequently. A gross estimate of 2,000 patients was addressed through this vaccine hesitancy, new variants, mucormycosis, mental channel. health and much more. 2. A daily Zoom Clinic was started where one-on-one consultation was provided to patients. A gross estimate of 11. Proposed vocational training for Blind school which approximately 500 patients was addressed through this is being funded by BJANA channel. This included direct assistance in ICU management of several critically ill patients. 12. Another proposal for Assistive Technology and Tele- 3. Both logistical and financial support was provided to Health services for Persons with Disabilities(PWDs) which AASTHA in Patna in setting up a 10-bed Covid Care Center. 4. Both logistical and financial assistance was provided to again is being funded by BJANA. ASHA in Ranchi to start rural drives for Karra Block and Hundwa Panchayat. This included car rental, medicine packages, and 13. Funding for Post Covid Care clinic with basic staff training diagnostic facilities such as X-ray and labs funded by BJANA 5. Food packages (200) were distributed via ASHA to the same rural areas FUTURE: What BJANA intends to do… 6. Medical review, medicines, and training were given to As the Covid crisis abates, we are in the process of Singhvahini panchayat in Sitamarhi. addressing major impediments to our continuing clinical 7. Two ambulances (one each for AASTHA and ASHA) were provided. operations like lack of designated space for our clinics 8. Several clinical pieces of equipment including 50 oxygen and inability to hold clinics in rural areas. concentrators, 150 pulse oximeters, thermometers, ventilators were provided to various areas in Bihar and Jharkhand. Additionally, we have also realized the need for physicians at our clinic who can use our international 9. Masks and PPEs were procured and provided to Bihar specialists/ consultants in a consultative role instead and Jharkhand areas. of a primary care role. Vaishali - Diwali Special Edition 2021 However, at this time, we believe that having proven the concept as initially envisioned, we are ready to go to the next level that will include: 1. Designated clinic space that we can acquire/ rent. 2. Hire additional clinic staff. 3. Procure basic clinic equipment for laboratory and x- ray. 4. Purchase an equipped medic van to hold periodic clinics in rural areas. 5. Expand PRAN concept to surrounding states. Page - 8

Bihar Jharkhand Association of North America CHARITABLE BJANA DONATION AT WORK WORK BY BJANA $200,000 PLUS DONATED IN HEALTH CARE , When it comes to charitable work BJANA is EDUCATION AND FOOD CHARITY always there to help society, many of the PRAN BJANA, JHARKHAND program and project work done by BJANA were to meet its charitable aims and objectives. Free health clinic center $100,000 in Ranchi , Jharkhand These charitable works were on national news in US and local print media. During this COIVD time charitable work done by BJANA went towards Procurement and distribution of 50 KARA MEDICAL FOUNDATION BIHAR Oxygen Concentrators, providing medical Make assistive technology supplies including masks, Oximeters, accessible to persons with $54,000 thermometers etc. In association with AASTHA disabilities from and ASHA, BJANA set up the Outpatient Clinics marginalized backgrounds with Basic Diagnostic Facilities and Rural Health Camps in Ranchi and Patna. These BLIND SCHOOL PATNA clinical works were done under the pre-set Donated to open Vocational Training protocols established by PRAN-BJANA catered $40,000 center for blind to 1000 families with focus on marginalized and underserved populations in rural areas of Bihar and Jharkhand. There was a 10 bed Covid care center set up in Patna and all kinds of logistical PRAN BJANA CLINIC, BIHAR and financial support was provided by BJANA. $35,000 Facility for free In some of the rural areas Food packages were healthcare clinic in distributed during this unprecedented time. Bihar During this pandemic BJANA provided telehealth services as envisioned by PRAN AMBULANCE SERVICE IN PATNA BAJANA Drs to screen and provide services to patients via Zoom. This was acclaimed in US BJANA donated ambulance in Patna to national news and was highlighted by many of support mobile clinic $13,000 the national print media in India. BJANA 2020-21 AMBULANCE SERVICE IN RANCHI EVENT AT A GLANCE BJANA donated 14 CVOID-19 Webinar Among US ambulance in Ranchi to $13,000 COVID-19 Fund Raising tournament for kids support mobile clinic Diwali online event Webinar on Financial 2020 Investment FOOD DONATION IN Holi online event 2020 awareness BIHAR AND JHARKHAND Online kids talent show Summer Camp 2021 2020 for Elementary and Distributed food during $25,00 Buddha Jyanti Middle School COVDI-19 pandemic in Bihar Business BJANA Kids fund Conclave raising for disabled Bihar Chhath 2020 kids Webinar on Women Teej 2021 OXYZEN CONCENTRATOR empowerment Diwali 2021 Picnic at Thompson Chhath 2021 Provided oxygen 50 Park 2021 concentrator in Bihar and Jharkhand during COVID – 19 Vaishali - Diwali Special Edition 2021 Page - 9

Bihar Jharkhand Association of North America BUDDHA JAYANTI BJANA in partnership with Consulate General of India, NY USA celebrated BUDHHA JAYANTI for the very first time. Everyone gathered to commemorate BUDDHA PURNIMA as the year 2021 marks the 2583rd birth anniversary of Gautama Buddha. BJANA is grateful to all the Buddhist friends who joined from all across the USA and from India to support the event and made it a grand success. India in New York Federation of Indian Associations NY NJ CT Bihar Jharkhand Association of North America. At New Jersey Buddhist Vihara On this occasion, BJANA also had a painting competition. We got an overwhelming response for the Buddha Jayanti Painting competition and we are thrilled and happy to see many artists amongst us and their enthusiasm. A big thank you to all the participants. BJANA is pleased to announce the results. Adult Category 1st Prize Winner – Shovarani Singh 2nd Prize Winner – Dr Megha Goel 3rd Prize Winner – Swati Ojha Young Category 1st Prize Winner – Aryan Atul 2nd Prize Winner – Anushka Milind 3rd Prize Winner – Ananya Singh Congratulations!!! to all the winners. Vaishali - Diwali Special Edition 2021 Page - 10

HAPPY DIWALI and CHHATH to our extended Bihar-Jharkhand Family. May we promote our age-old concept of “Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam” (Entire Earth is Family): Rigveda & Maha Upanishad, Chapter 6. May we lead the light of understanding. Fr om, Dr Arvind Das & Staff Proud Supporters of Bihar Jharkhand Association of North America Arvind Das, MD Clinical Professor Rutgers-RWJ Medical School University Pulmonary & Sleep Medicine, LLC A Member of Consensus Health 81 Veronica Ave, Suite 201 Somerset, NJ 08873 Tel (732) 2461441 Page - 11

Bihar Jharkhand Association of North America MESSAGE FROM THE BIHAR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRIES P K AGRAWAL Vaisha1l7i - Diwali Special Edition 2021 Page - 12

Bihar Jharkhand Association of North America Traditional Bihari dishes and sweets were presented during this event. Volunteers and persons who showcased the Bihari cuisine like Parwal sweets, Balushahi, Lavanglatta and Makhana Kheer were recognized during this successful event. Neetu Prasad ( Litti , Chokha, Balu sahi) Sushma Himanshu ( Litti) Saloni Sah ( Kheer Makhana and Parwal ka mithai) Priya Dwivedi ( Launglatta) BJANA Business and Tourism ConclaveTripti Singh ( Parwal ka mithai) The Bihar Jharkhand Association of North America (BJANA) held Bihar Business/Tourism conclave on 25th October, at Edison, New Jersey in partnership with Consulate General of India, New York USA. Chief Guest Darley Newman (American Producer and Writer/ TV host), Consul General of India, New York Mr. Randhir Jaiswal, Deputy Consul General Mr. Shatrughna Sinha, Consul Mr. Vipul Mesariya attended the event. The event was also attended by Mr. P K Agarwal , President Bihar Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Patna and Ms. Nupur Nishith as Guest Speaker and via virtual Mr. Ravi Shankar Srivastav (Investment Commissioner, Government of Bihar), Mr. Abhaya Kumar (IRS 2004) Chairman Bihar Foundation Western part of India and the event was witnessed by people from various domains. President of BJANA Dr. Avinash Gupta & Vice President Mr. Anurag Kumar and other committee members were also present during this event. The chief guests in their speech commended BJANA for its role in supporting all the initiatives taken towards exploring the business opportunities in Bihar and Jharkhand. President BJANA, Dr. Avinash focused on how Bihar has changed in the last 15 years and there should not be any hesitation in the people’s mind to visit historical places and invest in Bihar. Vaisha201l7i8- Diwali Special Edition 2021 Page - 13

Bihar Jharkhand Association of North America BJANA RESPONSE TO COVID-19 BJANA has always been the front runner in giving back to society in the US or back in India. During the COVID time BJANA team ran the multiple informative sessions with renowned Drs from US and back from Bihar and Jharkhand to provide the better information and details to society on COVID pandemic. BJANA ran almost 15 sessions on the covid with all latest updates and answered many of the questions to our viewers and listeners. Be it the discussion on different variants or the manifestations, vaccine related questions, the precautionary measures, risk of steroids use, impacts of covid in diabetes or other comorbid conditions and how to handle physical and mental effects due to pandemic etc. BJANA always thanks all the Drs and Panelists who were part of these sessions and discussions to provide the latest information and help society during this unprecedented time. Vaishali - Diwali Special Edition 2021 Page - 14

Bihar Jharkhand Association of North America Vaishali - Diwali Special Edition 2021 Page - 15

Bihar Jharkhand Association of North America GET TO KNOW MR. RAMESH BHATIA IN HIS OWN WORDS - RAMESH BHATIA I flew to Michigan and after quick lunch and a tour of their small but antiquated facility I was offered a I immigrated from India in 1969 to New York with job for the position of manager of the special no money in my pocket. I had a degree in projects. I got back to New York and talked at length mechanical engineering from India but was not with my then employer and my family and discussed readily accepted by many employers in the USA. As the pros and cons of leaving my present job and I was hard up, I survived on $1 per day and spent joining a small fledgling company. But ultimately I most of my time looking for a job in New York City. was getting tired of traveling everywhere in the world so I decided to take a calculated risk in a new After wandering on the streets in New York City for company called ATCO products in Grand Haven a month I was able to get a job in New Jersey as a Michigan. trainee in an engineering firm. I worked hard and diligently for over a year but was laid off due to a I soon found out that I was in a small company that lack of work. I was thrown back on the streets of had no growth potential nor any grand strategy to New York. Luckily, I was hired by an engineering succeed. I was in the middle of chaos and a consulting firm where I spent almost four hours rudderless ship. Anyway, I made my decision and every day commuting to and from work. had to make it work. Very soon, I suggested that we move our headquarters from Michigan to a Sun Belt However, being desperate for income and being state which was in the middle of our business young, I took all these difficulties in stride and activity. The owner liked the idea and made me easily mingled with the existing workforce. Due to responsible for finding the best place to move. After my enthusiasm and motivation, I was identified by extensive research and meetings with the Chamber the managers as one of the rising stars in the of Commerce people in the DFW area, I decided to company. Soon I was appointed to manage various move our company to Fort Worth. I was responsible projects around the world which allowed me to for finding a building and handling the entire move travel to different countries and make friendships from Michigan to Texas. I was able to get this done in everywhere I went. Most of the places I was sent to a short period and spend much less money than they wanted to hire me, but I refused to change as I was had anticipated, Finally, we set up our new offices loyal to the team I was working for and decided to and a new workforce but we started having conflicts devote most of my time to make this company from the very beginning. We started having a successful irrespective of the offers I received from turnover of people who had moved from Michigan others. and those we had hired here resulting in a lot of instability. That was the year 1968-69 when the During the course of my tenure in New York, I company had their first loss and the owner of the traveled to Singapore, Halifax, Canada, the company who had given the assignment to the Bahamas, and many other destinations around the general manager could not believe what we were world. One of my travels took me to Iran, where I going through. Fortunately, I was the only sane voice was assigned for two years. During this time I was among the managers and he confidentially asked for promoted several times and asked to stay longer to my advice. I told him very frankly that the company help the local company succeed in what they were was in trouble due to the management and the whole doing. While being stationed in Iran as head of the structure had to be changed. After listening to my mechanical engineer team, I was approached by a ideas and having confidence in my ability, he fired Michigan-based company in the USA to join them as the general manager and appointed me in that head of international marketing. While this was an position. We streamlined a lot of operations, instilled attractive offer, I refused to join them and confidence in people, and worked together as a team continued with my present assignment. But the new with respect and humility. I turned the company company in Michigan was very persistent and around and started showing profits in our existing insisted that I join them. To get them off my back, I operations. Soon thereafter, we had enough money offered to meet them when I returned to the USA to buy other companies in our field and within a few from my assignment in Iran. Six months passed by years, we grew from an employee base of 50 to over and then I returned to New York and it seems they 1000. The owner decided to hand over the entire were waiting for me. I got a call to travel and meet company to me, giving me equity in the company and them in Michigan to which I finally agreed. watching our progress from afar. Vaishali - Diwali Special Edition 2021 Page - 16

Bihar Jharkhand Association of North America I flew to Michigan and after quick lunch and a tour of their small but antiquated facility I was That was the year 1980 when I decided to pursue a offered a job for the position of manager of the degree in business administration and joined the special projects. I got back to New York and University of Texas in Arlington. After spending two talked at length with my then employer and my semesters there, I realized the curriculum and the family and discussed the pros and cons of leaving teachers were not well qualified to meet my needs. my present job and joining a small fledgling So, I enrolled at the University of Dallas. While I company. But ultimately I was getting tired of had to pay the entire tuition out of my own pocket, I traveling everywhere in the world so I decided to did not regret it as I was learning a lot of practical take a calculated risk in a new company called business ideas that helped me in my day-to-day ATCO products in Grand Haven Michigan. work. As I progressed, I created our own supply chain management system and overnight delivery I soon found out that I was in a small company system of its own kind in our industry. I opened 14 that had no growth potential nor any grand plants spread all over the USA so that no customer strategy to succeed. I was in the middle of chaos was more than 24-hour delivery distance from our and a rudderless ship. Anyway, I made my plant and established a motto within the company decision and had to make it work. Very soon, I to take care of our customers irrespective of the suggested that we move our headquarters from cost involved. We owned a fleet of our own Michigan to a Sun Belt state which was in the dedicated trucks so that the customers were assured middle of our business activity. The owner liked of fast and timely delivery. Many of these strategic the idea and made me responsible for finding the actions propelled us to be the highest and largest best place to move. After extensive research and flexible duct manufacturer in the world. Customers meetings with the Chamber of Commerce people were not hesitant to pay us a high price if necessary in the DFW area, I decided to move our company so long as they got their product on time. to Fort Worth. I was responsible for finding a I finally graduated from UD in 1982 and will always building and handling the entire move from cherish the time I spent there and the things I Michigan to Texas. I was able to get this done in a learned about the law, finance, and human short period and spend much less money than resources. they had anticipated, Finally, we set up our new As time went on, I took over the whole company offices and a new workforce but we started which had revenue of about $300 million and we having conflicts from the very beginning. We were spread all over the world. I made acquisitions started having a turnover of people who had in Holland, Germany, and Dubai and blanketed the moved from Michigan and those we had hired entire world with our products. It was a matter of here resulting in a lot of instability. That was the pride to know that there was hardly any big and year 1968-69 when the company had their first prestigious project in the world that did not use our loss and the owner of the company who had product. Most Olympics projects and international given the assignment to the general manager airports around the world demanded Atco products could not believe what we were going through. irrespective of the cost. Fortunately, I was the only sane voice among the managers and he confidentially asked for my When the past owner died a few years ago, I advice. I told him very frankly that the company decided to retire after selling the company to was in trouble due to the management and the another strategic buyer who would take us to new whole structure had to be changed. After heights and keep our dedicated employees and listening to my ideas and having confidence in maintain our culture and our reputation intact for my ability, he fired the general manager and years to come by. I finally passed the mantle to the appointed me in that position. We streamlined a new company in 2018 and decided to stay busy with lot of operations, instilled confidence in people, my ownership of companies in Dubai and Holland. I and worked together as a team with respect and stay partly busy and maintain very good relations humility. I turned the company around and with my ex-employees, customers, and suppliers. started showing profits in our existing When I reflect on the past, I feel that I accomplished operations. Soon thereafter, we had enough a lot and UD had a big hand in my success. While I money to buy other companies in our field and learned a lot of things in my class, I realized that within a few years, we grew from an employee you have to be prepared to take calculated risks in base of 50 to over 1000. The owner decided to life and move on. Winners are not people who never hand over the entire company to me, giving me fail but those who never quit their mission. equity in the company and watching our progress from afar. \"But ultimately I was getting tired of traveling everywhere in the world so I decided to take a calculated risk in a new company called ATCO products in Grand Haven Michigan.\" Vaishali - Diwali Special Edition 2021 Page - 17

Bihar Jharkhand Association of North America BJANA MEMBERS RECOGNIZED BY THE CONSULATE GENERAL OF INDIA, NY ON PRAVASI BHARTIYA DIVAS BJANA is proud to have its members recognized two years in a row by the Consulate General of India, New York on the occasion of Pravasi Bhartiya Divas 2020 and 2021 for our member's commitment to the mission of creating visibility and recognition for the Indian-American community in the USA. Their involvement in various philanthropic activities helps others and mentors the next generation. Their hard work, focused determination, and leadership help them to continue their community service towards social, civic, and economic well- being, They have been close collaborators and supporters of the Consulate. Vaishali - Diwali Special Edition 2021 Page - 18

HAPPY DIWALI TO ALL THE MEMBERS OF BIHAR-JHARKHAND ASSOCIATION OF NORTH AMERICA (BJANA) - Hina & Rupen Patel and the Accurate Labs family. Vaishali - Diwali Special Edition 2021 Page - 19

Bihar Jharkhand Association of North America PRAN BJANA PRavasi Alumni Nishulk with BJANA EXECUTION VISION After reviewing several locations; an offer from Ranchi Press Club was accepted due to its central location The idea of a free clinic run solely by expat physicians and ease of access. The effort also received was conceived in fall of 2019 by a group of RIMS enthusiastic support and an offer to host from Prof. alumni who are settled in USA. This was borne out of a Raghav Sharan (retd HOD of ENT at RIMS). A clinical perceived need – not only for free care but for care staff was hired in February 2020 and the clinic was that was not aligned with local healthcare launched on February 23rd in Dr. Sharan’s clinical establishments and provided opinions and care without space, and subsequently moved to Ranchi Press Club, considerations for local alignments. Most of these staffed by Drs Dinesh and Ratna Ranjan and Dr. Geeta physicians had already made their mark in medicine in Gupta. It was very well accepted in the local their respective fields, and had become recognized as community, although questions were asked about the national/international experts. Telehealth was still validity of telehealth modality. This was just a month considered a bit far-fetched then – 6 months before before Corona pandemic! The clinic immediately Corona – and the fact that patients could be managed started seeing patients, offering free medicines for with telehealth and data maintained in a basic EMR limited period and offering basic lab testing for free was initially considered futuristic. also by a local arrangement. Within the first week, an ECG machine was purchased and was put to use after IDEA staff had been trained After several brain-storming sessions on the logistics COVID-19 and name proposition, the name PRAN was chosen -to represent the values embodied in the concept – In mid-March, the clinic was converted largely to a Pravasi Alumni Nishulk. Initially R stood for RIMS, but it telehealth mode as staffing physicians left to return to was dropped with consideration that expat physicians USA just before traveling was disallowed due to Covid19. other than RIMS alumni may wish to join, and the However, the clinical staff continued to screen, review services might be expanded in neighboring areas and and consult patients that were discussed with our USA beyond. It was decided that the effort would be solely based physicians, and care was offered as needed. The funded by our own contributions until the concept was complexity ranged from basic primary care to advanced proven to be valid. end-organ disease and malignancies. Group discussions or consulting other well-renowned experts – was done as needed. While India appeared to fare well with the initial Covid-19 wave, the second Delta wave proved to be devastating and quickly overwhelmed the Indian health system. It was clear that urgent and expert help was needed. With help of BJANA a WhatsApp Helpline was established which was supplemented by daily Zoom clinic. WhatsApp Helpline was designed to provide instant advice and resources as needed, while Zoom clinic was a traditional one-on-one clinic where patients were consulted in private room and followed thereon by that physician. A separate Critical Care consult group was also created perceiving need for hands-on critical care management advice. We estimate that approximately 1200-1500 patients were consulted and helped through this process. Vaishali - Diwali Special Edition 2021 Page - 20

Bihar Jharkhand Association of North America Both locations already have a small ambulance provided via BJANA and PRAN-MG has committed to procuring a larger medi-van to be used as a mobile health clinic. PRAN MG has also committed to supporting ASHA in Jharkhand to treat and prevent malnutrition and support education of Nursing Assistants. These efforts will be coordinated via participation of PRAN-BJANA CLINIC. Through BJANA grant basic diagnostic equipment was provided to ASTHA which will be supporting PBC’s clinical work. CURRENT STATUS The USA Organization has received Non-Profit (501c3) SHOW STOPPER designation from IRS and the support from Bhatia Foundation has been received via BJANA. The USA Organization is named This year Holi brought a lot of happiness to the Bihar PRAN Medical Group and the leadership consists of Dr. Jharkhand Association of North America (BJANA) Dinesh Ranjan (President), Dr. Geeta Gupta (Vice President), committee members when they all came to know Mrs. Chitralekha Verma (Treasurer), Dr. Avinash Gupta, Dr. about the donation of $150,000.00 for the healthcare Ratna Ranjan and Dr. Sangeeta Sinha. Simultaneously the sector in Bihar and Jharkhand by The Ramesh and effort to register an NGO in India was initiated, called PRAN Kalpana Bhatia Family Foundation. BJANA CLINIC (PBC) and this process has also come to Mr. Bhatia has his roots and connections from Bihar fruition during the first week of October! PBC leadership and he wanted to give back to the community and team consists of Mrs. Rooplkha Prasad (President), Mrs. Indira motherland. He was in constant touch with the BJANA Singh (Secretary), Mr. Pushkar Sahay (Treasurer), Mrs. executive committee for more than a year. Mr. Bhatia Ranjana Mullick, Ms. Sunita Mehta, Mr. Shrikant Gupta and is impressed with the BJANA’s community service and Dr. Anubha Vidyarthi. The cumbersome registration process recent philanthropic work done by the team and he has been completed and a formal registration certificate has decided to donate this huge amount for the BJANA’s been received. This was made possible by untiring efforts of healthcare initiative. local PBC leaders in Jharkhand and removal of bureaucratic The Ramesh and Kalpana Bhatia Family Foundation, a hurdles by help from Manish Ranjan, IAS, a Netarhat School nonprofit founded by the Indian American couple, has alumnus with close ties to PRAN and BJANA leaderships. donated $8 million to over 40 nonprofits. The Several rural health camps have been held, both in Jharkhand foundation works in various fields like health, and Bihar – resulting in direct help to hundreds of patients in education, human rights, and women empowerment. remote rural areas. Jharkhand work was done in collaboration with ASHA in Ranchi area while Bihar initiative was conducted with collaboration from ASTHA Foundation in Patna. A formal budget allocation for both locations has been considered and approved by the organizations’ leaderships. This largely consists of acquiring designated clinical space in both locations and recruitment of clinical staff. Vaishali - Diwali Special Edition 2021 Page - 21

Bihar Jharkhand Association of North America The Bihar-Jharkhand Association of North America (BJANA) has been serving the people in the U.S. and India since 1976. The organization has been working at the grassroots in healthcare, education, disaster relief (COVID19 pandemic), and on various socio-economic issues. BJANA shall continue to put in every effort possible to keep supporting PRAN BJANA CLINIC. All the information about the progress shall be made available. BJANA is grateful to our doctors for starting such a noble initiative. BJANA also thanks all her members for their continued support. ROADMAP BJANA is dedicated to charitable work and always EDUCATION does due diligence and collaborates with the best SHOULD BE FREE projects which directly benefit the needy. Thanks to Ramesh and Kalpana Bhatia Family Foundation, BJANA - ANANYA SINGH was able to donate $100,000 to an already - GRADE 5 established and running PRAN clinic which is now - ESSAY renamed PRAN-BJANA clinic to carry the legacy of BJANA. I think education should be free because in many places for many people education is not affordable POLLUTION DUE TO and the children are unaware of their surroundings. In URBANIZATION my drawing only people with money can climb or reach success and disabled, poor, uneducated - ANUSHKA MILIND, people can not reach success only because of - GRADE 6 money. I strongly believe everyone should have equal - POEM rights and a ladder to success no matter what race, ability or disability they have. Sometimes uneducated In the city, the environment is so lovely… people have talent but only because of money they Without any pollution… cannot reach their goal. Many talents go unnoticed The crystal clear water.. by the world and maybe even the one who has the Fresh air... talent because no one ever takes time to understand The singing birds soaring through the sky…. them. This is why I think education should be free and Nothing is polluted is what I imagine... affordable to everyone no matter their outer self because everyone should get a chance to see their Smoke and dust everywhere…. inner self, talents, passion, etc. City polluted all the time…. Water is polluted all the time… Page - 22 The air is polluted due to traffic… The trees are taken down, no fresh air, the birds are losing their homes... Animals and people are falling sick due to pollution…. Pollution everywhere is what the real world is like… Vaishali - Diwali Special Edition 2021

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Bihar Jharkhand Association of North America FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK It has been around five years since I first got associated with BJANA, and for almost as much time, have been working with this wonderful team closely. With all the work we do, one can’t help, but be really proud to be just associated. In all these years, we are all grown together, and so had BJANA. The amount of good work we have done of late, specially during the pandemic, I have come to know how much compassion we have around us. All the selfless service, kindness and generosity we - SHAILY JHA have seen in these difficult times, re-instills our faith in humanity. It seems like ages, since we had a real physical event on such large scale. All of us are eagerly Magazine and Newsletter Publication waiting to sing, dance and eat together. And what better opportunity other than the great BJANA BJANA Team Diwali Event, where we witness fun and frolic, great food, and people dancing their hearts out. It is also after a long time that we are bringing out our magazine in print, thus, the special edition! We are overwhelmed by the quantity and quality of the entries we have received so we decided not “Alone we can to miss anything. do so little, I would specially like to mention few of the things we have included in this special edition of Vaishali. TOGETHER we In this edition, we have our little writers, poets and painters showing their skills. We wish them all the can do so best for their future. We have some valuable articles about meditation, vaccines and mental health and some great much.” - Helen information from the doctors. Keller We have very talented poets and writers in our community. Do read their beautiful poems. I'm sure, they'll definitely bring a smile on your face with that special humor, and of course, the Bihari touch. Vaishali also brings out to you Diwali wishes from the community and our sponsors. Special thanks to all the sponsors. Hoping you have a good read. Wishing you a very Happy Diwali and Happy Chhath! दिवाली का दिन फिर आया दिवाली पर मुझे घर सजाना अच्छा लगता है।बचपन से ही मैं पटाखों से दूर रह करती हूँ।बस कभी कभार फु लझड़ी ले कर जला लेती थी। एक बार बड़ी हिम्मत से रॉके ट जलाया तो हाँथ जल गया उसके बाद - वंदना वात्स्यायन मैं पटाखों को दे खती तक नहीं। दिवाली से सबसे ज़्यादा घरौंदे बनाने की याद जुड़ी है।आंटे का लय / Photography and Content गोंद बना कर हर रंग के पेपर चिपका कर मैं दो तल्ले वाला घरौंदा BJANA Team बनाया करती थी।शाम को मॉं के साथ घरौंदे की पुजा लड्डू और बतासा से होती थी और फिर पूरे घर में दिये जलाये जाते थे। अब घरौंदा नहीं बनता क्योंकि जिस घरौंदे को बचपन में बनाया आज मॉं खुश हो जाती है करती थी मैंने उसे अब अपना घर बना लिया है। नानी फू ले न समाती है और पिताजी कहीं आसमान से आज भी हौसला बढ़ा जाते हैं जब दे खते हैं, दिवाली का दिन फिर आया ������ कै से मैंने अपने घरौंदे को घर बना वो भी क्या दिन थे लिया। जब हम घरौंदे बनाया करते थे पता नहीं चला कब घरौंदा घर बन गया। पहले हर चीज़ से अनजान थी अब चीजें जानी जाती हैं मुझसे जब कोई कहता है, मॉं कहती थी, मॉं फ़लाँ सामान कहाँ है? कु छ सीख और तब मुझे लगता है, तुम्हारी गृहस्थी कै से चलेगी? कै से चलेगी इनकी गृहस्थी? नानी भी परेशान हो जाती एक और घरौंदा ऐसे ही घर बन जब कोई मेरी उम्र की लड़की उसे जायेगा घर की ज़िम्मेदारी उठाये दिख जाती। दिवाली का दिन फिर आयेगा। पिताजी बस मुस्कु राते मेरा हौसला बढ़ा जाते। Vaishali - Diwali Special Edition 2021 Page - 24

The Jalaj Family wishes all the BJANA members a very Happy Diwali and Chhath Jai Jalaj, MD Suman Jalaj, Sujay And Sunjay Sanjay Gupta and Mass Mutual Wishes you a Very Happy Diwali Contact for all your financial needs : MassMutual New Jersey-NYC 343 Thornall Street, Suite 640 Sanjay Gupta [email protected] Financial Services nj-nyc.massmutual.com Edison, NJ 08837 Provider Mobile (917) 239-5598 Fax (732)650-3282 Vaishali - Diwali Special Edition 2021 Page - 25

Bihar Jharkhand Association of North America Join my campaign - Shachi Singh to use reusable bags West Windsor Plainsboro I have recently started a no plastic bags campaign to High School North promote not to use single-use plastic bags in our township. Currently I have started this campaign with via multiple multiple stalls around the Plainsboro,NJ shopping area and farm market. I have developed a website to promote our actions I am extending our campaign to other towns in New and create a sustainable environment. Please visit Jersey to create a sustainable environment and my website ww.saynotoplasticbags.org inviting volunteers to be the voice of change and become an ambassador for your township. Plastics Please join our campaign and be part of a big are affecting both human life and marine life. So, we movement here in New Jersey. Recently our first have been trying to get everyone to use reusable sponsor is Citizen Bank, our campaign is bags. The reason I started this campaign is that it is supported by Stults Farm Plainsboro, Von Thun's polluting the earth. Here Let me just give you a little Farm in South Brunswick. These places are the background info about the plastic bags affecting our location where thousands of people are joining for lives and the marine animals' lives. the fall harvesting festival every weekend and we are putting up our stall to distribute reusable bags. Plastic bags are becoming big issues in our day-to- We are going to add more townships in the day life nowadays and creating environmental issues upcoming future. and spreading pollution. Plastic bags end up as litter that fouls the landscape, kills thousands of marine Please join my hand and be part of my team to animals every day by mistakes of foods and bags are become an ambassador for your town to floating on the water which is spreading pollution. If we stop using plastic bags, then we can save animals promote use of reusable bags. You can connect and reduce pollution in the environment which is me via www.saynotoplasticbags.org also impacting human life. We can stop using plastic bags by starting to use reusable bags. Recently I have put up stall at Stults Farms market in Plainsboro and everyone who came to shop at that place has appreciated our effort and we have distributed free reusable bags. I would like to thank everyone who is supporting this cause and spreading our voice for change. Vaishali - Diwali Special Edition 2021 Page - 26

Heartiest Diwali Wishes to the BJANA Family Balachander Jayaraman, CPA LLC From Certified Public Accountant Free Initial Consultation Low-cost High-Quality service Business Consultant Prompt and individual attention by a CPA 719 Inman Avenue, Suite #201 P O Box. 117 On-Time performance Colonia, NJ 07067 CPA and CGMA www.jayaramancpa.com Member : AICPA Email : bala@Jaya ramanCPA.com Member : NJSCPA Ph. 732-943-7605 (Tel) Ph. 732-539-0924 (Cell) For Corporations, Partnerships, Individuals, LLC/LLP and non-profits Call Bala Jayaraman CPA @ 732-943-7605 WISHING ALL BJANA MEMBERS A VERY Page - 27 Happy Diwali Dr. Anil K. Singh, MD (Internal Medicine, Hypertension and Kidney Diseases) Dr. Ram Bangalore, MD (Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine ) Salvana Singh, APN New Jersey Medical Experts ,LLC Phone: 732-494-5000 Office: 1740 Oak Tree Road Edison, NJ 08820 Website: www.njmedicalexperts.com Vaishali - Diwali Special Edition 2021

Bihar Jharkhand Association of North America Face shield project BJANA COVID-19 RESPONSE Face shield Project in Arnavh Sinha, response to COVID-19 South Brunswick High School, 11th Grade Back in the summer of 2020 I set up and participated in a “mask project”. This project was started as there was shortage of masks in the marketplace. This project consisted of sewing and making face masks out of common cloth such as T-shirts and sewing fabrics. My business model was to be sustainable. As people were not able to step out of the house, we needed products they could use at home to protect from COVID. The masks, since they were made by cloth, could be cleaned and reused after use, which is huge considering the cost and inefficiency of non-reusable masks. After the project starting June 2020, the project went on for three months where over 300 reusable masks were made and given to different institutions. Masks were given to school, morgues, and homeless shelters with over 5 different institutions being given masks. The project was a struggle, having problems from sewing machines breaking and having to teach sewing in the first place. Over the three months multiple workshops were held, where everyone could learn how to make reusable masks regardless of whether they were part of the project. The project was then branched out to Girls Scout and reached to many more needy people. My team was felicitated by schools, nonprofit and other organizations. This project then took a new initiative of building face shield in collaboration with an NGO BJANA. School going kids created plastic face shield and we did many demos for teaching others to self-help themselves by building the face shield and protecting them from COVID. Vaishali - Diwali Special Edition 2021 Page - 28

Bihar Jharkhand Association of North America CHARITY PROJECT IN BIHAR IN ASSOCIAITON WITH AASTHA CHARITABLE TRUST , PATNA In the wake of time the BAJNA initiated to support India 2. Mask, Sanitiser, Soap, PPE Kit Distribution on aforesaid activities specifically in Bihar and Jharkhand. In the line; BJANA joined hand with Aastha Charitable and Since the 8th April 2020 for the prevention of the Welfare Society (ACWS), Patna, Bihar. (Aastha is affiliated COVID 19 Sanitiser, Gloves, Mask and Soap has been to the Ministry of social justice & Empowerment, Govt. of distributed among the Patna police, Patna Traffic Police, India, which is one of the Bihar’s largest multi-specialities Patna Municipal Corporation and Vegetables Vendors Centre for Rehabilitation. Using a unique approach to and the slum areas nearer to the Bailey Road. The charity 50% of the patient of all departments of the distribution is mainly finished in the Bailey Road, centre have been reserved for the needy and free medical Ashiyana Road, Jagdeopath, Ashiyana More, Raza services are provided. Also, Aastha provides free Bazaar, nearer to the IGIMS, Sheikhpura More, Sardar transport pick-up and drop to BPL patients irrespective of Patel Bhawan, Panchmukhi Hanuman Mandir, Punai the distance. Using the latest technology in instrument Chack, near to the Secretariat, Hartali More, High Court and technique, Aastha offers international standards of more, Income tax Golambar, Kotwali Police station, clinical competence and research. Dakbangla Chauraha etc and PPE Kit distribution some Aastha is running the physiotherapy clinic and Hospital and also aware them about COVID 19 and occupational therapy, speech therapy for disabled describe the importance of Social Distancing. children. Time to time Aastha distributes the orthotic and prosthetic material like artificial limb, calliper’s, shoes 3. Grocery Distribution etc. totally free of cost to the disabled children and the Since 22/05/2020 to 5th July 2020 old people. @100 families/day (Ration for one month for one family) Aastha is working for the rehabilitation of the disabled person, disabled children and the geriatric people and total 1500 migrant worker families have been benefited. manufacturing of artificial limb and orthotics materials. Uncooked food distribution at Sabri Nagar, Khaleelpura Society is distributing the calliper’s, wheel chair, tricycle Slum area, Sabazpura, Khaleelpura Slum area, Slum and any assisting appliances according to the need of area of Teshlal Verma nagar, the Patliputra Railway disabled. Station, Patna (Bihar) among the migrant worker and distribution report has been submitted to the Patna DM, Both the organisation developed Memorandum of Bihar State Disaster Management. Association to work jointly for the cause. In the series, till the date both the organisation has worked on following- 1.Winter Rehabilitation after the Flood in Patna in 2019. 2. Mask Sanitiser, SOAP and PPE Kit Distribution in 2020. 3.Grocery Distribution to the Migrant Families during the COVID 19 Pandemic in 2020. 4.Smart Phone distribution to the Disabled children for their online classes in 2021. 5.Cooked Food Distribution the COVID 19 Patients and their families at home and Hospital in 2021. 6.Started a Covid Care Centre in Patna in 2021 7.Organising health check-up, awareness and treatment camp in the different area both rural and urban in 2021 1.Winter Rehabilitation after the Flood in Patna in 4. Smart Phone distribution to the Disabled children 2019. for their online classes. Since 14th December 2019 to 4th January 2020 Blanket, 48 Smart phones have been distributed to Divyangjan Shawl (From Khadi Bhandar) and protein powder for their online classes in the 5th National Aastha distribution in the flood Rehabilitation program in the Awards, SNAC Bihar, The National Trust, DEPWD, MSJE, flood affected area of Sakha field, Road Number 05, Govt. of India. In the 48 smart phone 18 Smart phone Rajendra Nagar, Patna. There was 250 identified fund has been raised by the children of BJANA US, beneficiaries’ family after the survey has been benefited. During the survey it has been found that Page - 29 many of them are suffering from anaemia, hypo protemia, In the first phase with collaboration of Aastha charitable has been distributed the food packet, medicines and mosquito net and all out coils for prevention of Dengue. Vaishali - Diwali Special Edition 2021

Bihar Jharkhand Association of North America specially Arushi Kashyap, Garima Yadav, Shachi Singh, Aarav Kumar, Adwit Singh, Arnavh Sinha, Siddhi Agrawal and Vedika Ghosh. 5. Cooked Food Distribution the COVID 19 Patients 7.Organising health check-up, awareness and and their families at home and Hospital. treatment camps in different area both rural and urban. During the 2nd wave of COVID 19 Pandemic, Cooked food distribution to the patient attendant and patient We are organizing a health camp program in the remote waiting for the admission in the Patna AIIMS area, IGIMS, areas of Bihar state for those who are still not aware NMCH, PMCH and needy (Patients Attendant, Driver of about the repercussion of the COVID-19 pandemic and Ambulance and the families who are searching or waiting Non-Communicable Diseases. Through the health camp, for bed outside of the hospital Since 5th May to the end conducting regular health check-ups, providing the of the May 2021 medicines, Simultaneously, we are developing the data base about the Covid infected patients, ACWS is 6. Started a Covid Care Centre in Patna coordinating with the nodal officers in such remote areas to bring the left behind people to the vaccination centre COVID CARE CENTER in collaboration with Aastha to get vaccinated. In completing this purpose Charitable & Welfare Society has been started officially NCDs in rural areas; scanning, diagnosis, treatment is of on 22/05/2021. Thanks to Sri Anil Kumar sir Post Master utmost need to cater the healthcare services and early General Bihar for his all Special thanks to all the detection of the ailments either the covid related or the members, volunteers and Doctors of Aastha. This Centre any NCDS. Hence ACWS, BJANA and PRAN (hereafter is dedicated for the COVID 19 patients of mild condition joint venture) has set up mobile health clinic and camps with free of cost. This Centre is well equipped with in Bihar. It has been benefited for rural people for early doctors and dedicated paramedical staff. Once again scanning, pathological test, and detection to diagnose thanks to the Doctors and paramedical staff who are the ailments. The facilities are able to provide clinical supporting us online and offline. services, telemedicine to treatment and referral facilities in the state in collaboration with Aastha Charitable & Welfare Society, Patna. Vaishali - Diwali Special Edition 2021 Page - 30

Bihar Jharkhand Association of North America FROM THE SECRETARY'S DESK It is my honor to be part of next generation of BJANA servers. I would like to express my General Secretary gratitude to all BJANA members for attending DIWALI event after unprecedent difficult times of COVID-19. Together all our community members here have done commendable work in S A N J E E V S I N G H supporting our causes for the people of Bihar and Jharkhand back in India. Our membership is growing day by day and is making BJANA stronger each day. Event after event, festival after Do not forget to shop amazon via festival, the charities we do, brings our community together and makes it stronger. As a “smile.amazon.com” which is volunteer, I had an amazing experience working with the whole BJANA family. I strongly believe helping us generate funds for that commitment is what sets the foundation for all the activities and events, BJANA organizes. BJANA. Please select “Bihar Under the presidency of Dr. Avinash Gupta, even during COVID-19 we organized our flagship Jharkhand Association of North events online and we added a new chapter in BJANA by starting a Summer Camp which was a America” from the non-profit very successful program. There was an amazing participation by students of all grades. I would organization list when you are really like to appreciate our high school volunteers who did a commendable job in making this shopping summer camp experiment a grand success. BJANA team has organized many events and via “smile.amazon.com”. completed many milestones to make our organization and community bigger and stronger each day. Few achievements and various tools to highlight how BJANA is serving community using various state-of-art latest tools and technology like new Facebook of BJANA the bjana.org website, google for nonprofit, salesforce for non-profit, Canva the amazing designing tool which is helping us to present you an amazing quality of Vaishali magazine and digital contents. It is my extreme pleasure to convey my heartiest greetings to you on the festival of lights, Diwali. I would like to take this opportunity to offer condolences to all the family members who lost someone due to COVID-19. We shall come out of this difficult phase together very soon. I wish to express my deepest gratitude to my family, executive committee and BJANA members for their unwavering cooperation and support in our endeavor to server our community. I would like to thank you all and looking forward to serve to the best of my ability for many years to come. Jai Bihar, Jai Jharkhand, Jai Hind and God Bless America! Say Safe! Wishing all the BJANA members a very Happy Diwali Nilesh Choksi CPA Financial & Taxation Firm Woodbridge, NJ Phone: 732-589-9694 Vaishali - Diwali Special Edition 2021 Page - 31

Bihar Jharkhand Association of North America URBANIZATION AND POLLUTION It cannot be argued that urbanization has had an everlasting - SHARABH OJHA, GRADE 10 impact on society. Urbanization has allowed businesses to flourish and has breathed life into new cultures, born from the and causing up to 4000 deaths from acute radiation exposure wide assortment of people who settled and have been settling and cancer. While nuclear accidents are few and far population centers since the beginning of their inception. The between, the accidents that have occurred have been prolific economic and social improvements brought on by urbanization and led to aggressive activism. Cities are suffering from are like the far-reaching tendrils of a nourished plant. However, uniquely 21st century problems, which pose a very real threat the evils of urbanization are just as far reaching in our society. to the world’s ecosystems. One such evil is increasing pollution. From the contamination of our air and water to the permeation of excess noise and light, However, the worst impacts urban pollution has on our society pollution in our cities has led to drastic economic, environmental, is the health of our citizens. One minor way this has occurred is and health issues. through noise pollution. Noise pollution is essentially the pervasive nature of sounds in urban areas, such as the constant sounds that come from traffic or utilities in cities. This form of It is often said that we meet our destiny on the very road we take pollution has been proven to have numerous adverse effects on human health. According to NoiseOff.org, the World Health to avoid it. Modern urban centers have been designed to Organization has said that noise pollution has led to increased rates of disturbances in sleep cycles and heart health, as well maximize profits, but simultaneously, urban agglomerations churn as mental illnesses such as depression. Cities act as a hub for social and economic activities, but this is at the cost of our out some of the highest rates of pollution in the world. health. Meanwhile, air pollution in cities is caused by greenhouse gases created by electricity generation in According to the UN, more than 60% of all greenhouse gas nonrenewable power plants, as well as combustion in engines. Unfortunately, Delhi is touted as one of the worst cities in the emissions originate from cities. This can have adverse effects on world for air pollution, as it is often subjected to smog and terrible air quality. According to News NCR, the situation only the economies of these cities and the countries they are in. For seems to be worsening, as the appearance of toxic metals, such as lead, in the atmosphere has gone up to 406 nanograms example, while pollution is often observed through specific per cubic meter, more than 4x greater than average lead levels. On top of this, 75% of 13–17-year-olds have complained mediums such as air, water, or soil, pollution can also refer to of suffocating conditions in the city, meaning that their health is being compromised. Water pollution, meanwhile, can be the trash we throw around the streets and into landfills every attributed to the rapid urban development in many places around the world. According to The Berkey, as people began to day. The misuse and lack of care when disposing of materials develop industrial and residential buildings, as well as important infrastructure such as roads, waste material would such as glass, plastic, or organic materials leads to cities being often find itself mishandled and washed into the water supply. Unclean water can lead to an array of health issues, such as ‒less livable and conducive to the economy pests such as rats gastrointestinal conditions like diphtheria, nausea, dehydration, and even death. Due to global warming, we are living in a and insects become more common, and the abundance of litter world that doesn’t even have enough water to drink. It’s can do terrible damage to property and its value over time. The worst problem caused by this litter, however, may be the smell. ABC7 once reported that due to the hotter temperatures in the summer, as well as the rampant pollution, bacteria grow faster, which leads to cities such as NYC smelling terrible. As a result, tourists and visitors will be less likely to come back to the city. Alternatively, the maintenance and growth of landfills uses up a lot of money, coming directly from the treasuries of individual cities. In fact, NYC alone spent a total of $917 million on garbage-related activities in 2017. All of this means that people, businesses, and cities are losing money, just because people can’t find a good way to dispose of their trash in cities. Even more importantly, pollution in cities has many imperative, then, that the water supply left should be clean, environmental implications which aren’t talked about very often. but this isn’t happening. We’ve seen it happen to the Ganga One controversial type of pollution is radiation pollution. Nuclear River, with cities heaping trash and sewage into our most energy is a very common source of energy in cities, due to the sacred river, one that people use to drink, bathe, and worship amount of energy it can produce compared to other every day. Cities are one of the biggest reasons for air and nonrenewable, such as oil, coal, and natural gas. It is also water pollution today, but do the citizens or the leaders of cleaner than all three of these power sources, as the use of oil, these cities care? coal, and natural gas causes the production of copious amounts of greenhouse gases. Due to the sheer amounts of energy that Overall, pollution due to urbanization has become a greater are released, and the lack of perceivable pollution caused, problem over the past few years, and there is little to no nuclear energy has become a staple in power generation, evidence that this will be improving any time soon. Urban especially for urban areas. In 2012, 50% of all electricity in New centers are supposed to be the hub of human activity, but in Jersey, known for having the highest population density of any many ways, their existence might just spell our doom, with state in the US, came from nuclear power. However, nuclear economic, environmental, and health problems speeding power is extremely risky if not handled correctly. For one, the towards us. It never had to be this way. We could have taken waste involved in nuclear power emits large amounts of some time out of our lives to work against the dumping of radiation, which can mutate and kill organisms, long after the chemicals in our water. We could have turned our lights off for waste is produced and shipped away. Even worse is the fact that some time. We could have even taken one more second to find the destruction of nuclear power plants has been part of some a trash can to throw that bottle of soda in. Why didn’t we? At of the worst disasters of all time. One of the biggest examples the end of the day, we’re still alive and well, but if pollution of this was in 1986 in Chernobyl, a city in Ukraine which keeps increasing at this rate, we may not be alive for very long, experienced a reactor meltdown, leading to the then-USSR so maybe the real question is: Why can’t we now? having to evacuate the entire city, Vaishali - Diwali Special Edition 2021 Page - 32

Wishing BJANA family a very Happy Diwali and Chhath From, Page - 33 Dr. Manish Mishra Integrated Medical Group Pottsville, PA—17901

Bihar Jharkhand Association of North America Thanks to BJANA Collaborative response to and PRAN-BJANA COVID-19 CRISIS for you believed .....Relief project in Jharkhand in association with ASHA in our services The Context and extend In the battle against COVID-19, rural areas undoubtedly have been the most vulnerable with inadequate testing facilities, healthcare, and lack of awareness. In support to the the remotest villages of Jharkhand mostly inhabited by tribal population, the upsurge of Covid-19 and subsequent lockdown brought about new challenges. It also last section of deepened the multifaceted problems which these communities have long been facing. In the aspect of health, lack of or limited access to testing capabilities meant that a society at this large majority of cases went undetected putting additional risks to the families. With no access to even the most basic of medicines and equipment like Paracetamol, Zinc, point of crisis. Vitamin C, Antibiotics, oximeters, the people here felt powerless. Also, with restricted mobility, pregnant and lactating women found it difficult to access pre- and post- A big shout out to natal care for themselves putting them and their children at-risk of poor health. Lockdown affected the incomes, food security and dietary patterns of the vulnerable our volunteers families in the region. Majority of the families experienced decrease in their agricultural and non-agricultural incomes from seasonal migration work. Similarly, and members of inflated prices of food in nearby shops and local market combined with lower earnings seem to have contributed to a higher occurrence of experiences of food Association for insecurity since the start of the lockdown in March 2020. Social and Relief measures Human Awareness Our collaborative relief measures were rolled out in different phases…. With the grant support of BJANA, we started with immediate relief measures for (ASHA) for their families whose incomes were extremely affected by COVID-19 lockdown. To identify the families, we consulted our community networks of peer support groups (Sakhi selfless service Saheli), members of Panchayati Raj Institutions, Self Help Groups and verified it with onsite assessments. One the list was ready, our team and volunteers packed ration kits during this tough consisting of Rice, Pulses, Soya beans, flattened rice, jaggery, mustard oil, salt and potato for 150 identified families from Ranchi, Khunti and Bokaro. Information related time of global to distribution of ration were disseminated through volunteers working at village level. Head of many families visited respective ASHA centres to collect the kits. There were pandemic also many families who could not travel to our centres. For them, we distributed the kits at their door-steps. affecting every Apart from ration distribution, we conducted awareness drives village to village and distributed soaps, sanitizers, floor disinfectants, hand wash and face masks to aspects of our individuals and households. We did not stop there…. lives. From field level volunteers of ASHA and while distributing ration to the households we came across a severe issue which didn’t let us to move away. There were a number of pregnant and lactating women who were not in position to earn and were struggling to arrange their daily meals. During this crisis, we prepared list of such 154 pregnant and lactating women with children in age group 0 to 6 months and 7 months to 3 years and provided nutrition kits to keep them and their children in good health. Incorporating a long-term strategy…. In 2021, with the upsurge of the second wave, we are grateful to have received continued support of BJANA and PRAN-BJANA that is enabling us to reach out to those individuals and families who need healthcare attention. We received an Ambulance and 15 oxygen concentrators that is helping us in reaching out to urgent needs of patients affected by not only COVID, but other illnesses like high fever, operation cases etc. So far, we have supported more than 30 individuals. To complement our efforts, we received support from PRAN BJANA to run PRAN- CLINICs. These community health clinics have benefitted hundreds of individuals consult professional doctors and seek medical advice and testing. Till date we have organized 5 health camps in Ranchi and Khunti reaching out to 201 individuals Vaishali - Diwali Special Edition 2021 Page - 34

Bihar Jharkhand Association of North America Collaborative response to COVID-19 CRISIS Vaishali - Diwali Special Edition 2021 Page - 35

Bihar Jharkhand Association of North America BJANA Photo Gallery Vaishali - Diwali Special Edition 2021 Page - 36

MESSAGE FROM THE DEPUTY CM OF BIHAR TARKISHORE PRASAD WISHING ALL THE BJANA MEMBERS A VERY HAPPY DIWALI AND CHHATH Wishes from Abhinav, Geeta Wishes from Saatvik, Megha Wishes from Adwik, Sandeep Wishes from Aarit, Aarav, Wishes from Sanskriti, Wishes from Anaya, Adwit, Wishes from Sristi, Ishika, Wishes from Shlok, Shaily and and Avinash Gupta and Gaurav Goel and Aditi Mohan Vandana and Abhishek Shreyansh, Shova,Ranjit Richa and Pranit Singh Sushma and Rakesh Kumar Kaushik Ganguly Wishes from Sarvam, Wishes from Yash, Vritika, Wishes from Anika, Arushi, Wishes from Abhijeet and Wishes from Sahchi,Tanush, Wishes from Gracy, Garima, Wishes from Renu and Sanjay Wishes from Vedant, Vedika, Shatesh, Tapasya and Salvana and Anil Singh Vinita and Anurag Kumar Rohi Singh Tripti and Sanjeev Mona and Alok Kumar Gupta Amrita and Sushant Shatesh Shubhranshu Vaishali - Diwali Special Edition 2021 Page - 37

Bihar Jharkhand Association of North America LOWER TUITION FEES - SANSKRITI SINGH, GRADE 9 Imagine that you’re a student in the U.S., in the last year of According to vox.com, Stanford University is free for high school. You’ve been told your entire life you have to be students from families that earn less than $125,000 in a successful, and that you have to have a well-paying job in a year, and if they earn less than $65,000, they won’t have field you enjoy. You’ve worked extremely hard and gotten to pay for additional room and board costs, either. The good grades all throughout middle school and high school, expenses that come from the tuition fee can be paid by you’ve passed your SATs with flying colors, and now you’re the government, instead. Unlike some of the colleges in applying to colleges—only to find your family can’t afford Europe, though, these colleges don’t need to be as any of them. Colleges in the United States are criminally selective. Overseas, colleges tend to be discriminatory expensive, ranging from almost $30,000 for out-of-state on who they accept and who they don’t, but it’s public colleges and nearly $50,000 for private colleges. completely unnecessary, and shouldn’t need to happen in Education is something everyone deserves; it’s a basic the U.S., as well. America can incorporate their lower human right and it’s unfair for only some people to have costs to advocate for everyone without pushing away access to it. Colleges in the U.S. should be free, or should certain groups of people and keeping others. Free at least significantly decrease their fees. education does not come at the cost of lower-ranking schools—there’s absolutely no need for most U.S. An average middle-class household’s yearly income may be colleges to be as expensive as they are. Instead of completely used for tuition, depending on whether you go to paying a tuition fee with money, one solution is that a private or public college. And that doesn’t even include people could do community service or some other form of low-income households, where their yearly income might be non-monetary payment back to the colleges, like a work- reduced to half even with a scholarship. But college tuition study job. This provides a reason for the colleges to be wasn’t always this high. According to an article by Daniel free so that everyone won’t need to give colleges money Bignault and data from the U.S. Census Bureau and from their own pockets. Work-study jobs are part-time Department of Labor, in-state tuition fees for the University jobs that are available on-campus that support the of Tennessee were $13,000 in 2018, while they were only college. They exist so college students can earn money $867 in 1982. Obviously, due to inflation and such, $867 now to isn’t the same as it was nearly forty years ago. The median help pay anything education-related. Some examples of household income can be looked at, though—whereas it’s work-study jobs are library assistants, tutors, and tour $63.1k now, it was $20.2k in 1982. The ratio between the guides. Currently, work-study job awards range from average income and the tuition fee is drastic. Median $500 to $2,000. This number can be increased to income grew by only 213%, while college fees grew by an advocate for people who might not be able to pay the entire 1430%. The majority of this increase happened majority of their tuition fees. Since there would be a lot between 2010 and 2018, the increase being 690% at the more people, new jobs could be provided by the beginning of the decade. government, as well, since they would have to do a portion of the funding for public colleges. For example, It’s not like the money gained from the expensive fees is the government can assign research jobs. After all, work- necessary, either. Other countries serve as a great example. study jobs are federal aid. Another way the government Norway’s public college tuition is completely free, and the can fund colleges is by taking from other departments. snowy country has institutions such as the University of Oslo, They can also put in certain laws and regulations to the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, and warrant that private colleges aren’t overpriced. There the University of Bergen, all top-ranked. Germany is another are various ways to ensure that a lower tuition fee would example. The European country stopped charging tuition work for everyone, and still allow colleges to keep their fees in 2014, and since then, many Americans travel to quality. Germany to study there instead. You may have to pay what’s called a semester contribution, but it’s relatively Needless to say, a free or subsidized college tuition system could easily be integrated into the U.S. over time. € €cheap, ranging from 100 to 350 ($117 to $410 USD). The current prices are unreasonable and unnecessarily high, causing a lot of people to be unable to attend According to studentlonanhero.com, “...eight of Germany’s college. A cheaper system can be integrated over time. higher education institutions were ranked among the top Other countries have amazing colleges that are free and 100 international universities in the Times Higher Education are still getting along fine—America can have lower or World University Rankings 2020.” Even if not completely even free college tuition, too. free, college tuition is at lower prices in other countries, such as India, where the median is $50 per year for public colleges. We’ve seen this work in the U.S., as well, although not to its full extent. Vaishali - Diwali Special Edition 2021 Page - 38

Om Sri Sai Balaji Temple and Cultural Center Wishes all the BJANA members, a very Happy Diwali Page - 39

Bihar Jharkhand Association of North America BJANA TEEJ Teej one of the most loved festival was organized by BJANA celebrated in Sri Siddhivinayak temple, Toms River, New Jersey, USA. Teej Also known as “Hartalika Teej” in northern part of India and “Gowri Habba” in some of the southern states of India is observed most of the time one day before Ganesh Chaturthi. On this day, women observe 'Nirjala Vrat' (fast without food and water). They worship Goddess Parvati for the well-being and long life of their husbands. Puja organized by BJANA were attended by many Teej Vratis performed the auspicious worships in the presence of temple priest. Vratis dressed in new cloths and mehndi on their palm made the celebration more thrilled. The enthusiasm and excitement brought the people to engage themselves in this event and enjoyed the moment. Program was followed by games, exciting prizes for couples and dinner. BJANA President Dr Avinash Gupta who was present on this occasion extended his wishes “ May the Lord Shiva and Parvati bring happiness and positivity in everybody’s life and bless the couple with health and prosperity.“ This Teej event at Toms River was 3rd year in a row organized by BAJANA committee and will continue in future. Vaishali - Diwali Special Edition 2021 Page - 40

IT First Source a complete eBusiness Solution Wishes BJANA Family a very HAPPY DIWALI Your complete eBusiness Solution Provider 4249 US Highway 9 North From, Suite # 2E-2F Freehold, NJ 07728 Phone : +1(732) 632 - 4661 Arvind Prakash http://www.itfcinc.com Rita Prasad Sanjana Page - 41

Bihar Jharkhand Association of North America CHHATH WITH BIHAR AND JHARKHAND ASSOCIATION OF NORTH AMERICA - SALONI SAH When my parents visited us in 2018, they thought of going back to India before Chhath. We shared our A nip in the air, crisp yet soft breeze and shorter days were BJANA Chhath pooja experience with them. They also reminiscent of the Holy Chhath festival back in the spoke to some BJANA members who guided them about childhood days in Bihar. Even after moving to USA, the all the arrangements required. It was then that I feeling remains just the same. It is a proud feeling that our experienced how much planning and organization is states of Bihar and Jharkhand are home to this grand Hindu carried out by the members at each step to organize this Vedic festival. Chhath is spread over a period of four days event. They devote so much effort and personal time. having different rituals starting from Nahay-Khay, followed Starting from obtaining permission to use the river bank, by Kharna, Sandhya Arghya and ending with Usha Arghya cleaning the bank themselves, coordinating with Vratis and Paran on the final day. The Vratis (those who observe and volunteers, arranging for shed, space heaters and fast) and the other devotees offer prayers and perform hot water to counter the subzero temperatures, tea and rituals in order to thank Sun God and Goddess Usha for snacks for visitors to what not. My parents performed the being the source of life and energy on earth. pooja here and were so contented with all the arrangements that they praised and blessed the BJANA Coming back to the year when I moved to New Jersey, USA, members from all their heart. That year, the number of Chhath was the only festival that I missed the most because Vratis rose to 11 and the estimated turn out was about nobody around me celebrated it. Growing up, I used to visit 500, double of previous year because of the rising our relatives celebrating Chhath on all the days of the popularity of the event as well as of BJANA as a non- festival. Trips to Ganga Ghat (river bank) with the festival profit organization that believes in giving back to the songs being played on loud speakers was quintessential. community. One day, I noticed one of my teacher’s post on social media In 2019, the Arghya days of the festival were on the that mentioned Bihar and Jharkhand Association of North weekend. This meant larger turn out at the event. Vratis America aka our own BJANA. I was thrilled with the thought count was increasing too. Gaining from their experience, of connecting with the people from Bihar. In 2017, BJANA Bihar and Jharkhand Association of North America announced its first ever Chhath pooja celebrations. We members geared up in full force to organize the epic barely knew few members of the group still we visited the event. More volunteers were required to help the Vratis Ghat for Sandhya Arghya with beaming enthusiasm. The in prasad making as well as to organize the event at the nostalgia hit us as we approached the venue, for we were ghat. I was a volunteer too for making thekuas at a welcomed by the sounds of same Chhath pooja songs sung Vrati’s home. In total, about 2000 thekuas were made by by ladies in bright colored sarees. Men carrying baskets full all the volunteers. Full meals along with snacks and tea of offerings, the aroma of thekua, volunteers helping all the were organized at the ghat. As expected, there was Vratis to organize the essentials for pooja and Bihar and biggest ever turn out with about 700 devotees and 26 Jharkhand Association of North America’s members on their Vratis. toes to make the festival a memorable experience for everyone was a sight enough to refresh the childhood As we all know, the COVID 19 pandemic hit in 2020. With memories. The members were so warm and welcoming that all the protocols and guidelines that had to be followed, it felt like family. There were 5 Vratis that year who were the Chhath pooja was organized differently. The arghya kind enough to share prasad with everyone. About 250 and prasad distribution were only drive through. Many people had attended the event. Vratis performed pooja at their residence. We hope and pray that the situation improves this year so that we can \"One day, I noticed one of my enjoy the pooja in the same grand manner as we did teacher’s post on social media that earlier. It is not just about organizing the Chhath pooja but the community is also coming closer through BJANA. mentioned Bihar and Jharkhand How can we ever thank Bihar and Jharkhand Association Association of North America aka our of North America enough for such an experience? Other volunteers shared similar feelings. We have now come to own BJANA. I was thrilled with the a stage that when we hear “bahangi lachkat jaaye” we thought of connecting with the people not only think of memories from back home but also of our memories with our BJANA family. from Bihar.\" Jai Chhathi Maiya, Jai Bhanu Dev! Vaishali - Diwali Special Edition 2021 Page - 42

AUM Builders wishes all the BJANA members a very Happy Diwali and Chhath www.AUMbuilders.com Developers & Builders Custom Home Builders General Commercial Contractors Call us to Build for you or to be an investor in Real Estate Market. 732-385-1370 , Email - [email protected] Nishi and Rajiv Happy Diwali Sahay Family wishes all BJANA members, a very Vaishali - Diwali Special Edition 2021 Page - 43

Bihar Jharkhand Association of North America TO DO OR NOT TO DO - COVID-19 VACCINE BOOSTER? - Dr. Priya Nandi, Ph.D, R.Ph. If you have gotten fully vaccinated against covid-19 virus after This means that if someone took J&J as primary dose can now taking either two doses of Pfizer vaccine three weeks apart (i.e. take either Pfizer or Moderna as booster dose. If someone primary series for Pfizer) or two doses of Moderna vaccine at four completed Pfizer primary vaccination series can now take weeks apart (primary series for Pfizer) or received one dose of Moderna as booster and vice versa. J&J vaccine (primary dose for J&J), Congratulations, you have done the right thing! Now, if you wonder what to do after hearing This breaking approval news is based on recent scientific data about booster shots in the news, read on. published by National Institute of Health (NIH) that indicate that all 3 covid vaccines (Moderna, Pfizer or J&J) are good boosters and Whether you are skeptical about booster doses or want to run to increases immune response regardless of the primary vaccination a local pharmacy to get a booster dose immediately, here are taken. The same study also indicated that interchanging of some important facts to be aware of. Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are acceptable. Booster dose is technically a third dose for healthy adults with If you have family members visiting the US from India or other good immune systems whose protection from vaccination has countries and have taken Covaxin or Covishield single or decreased over time. This is different from an additional third double dose and if you are wondering if they can mix and vaccine dose that is approved by FDA since Aug 2021 for those match with Pfizer or Moderna second dose or booster, here are who are moderately to severely immunocompromised adults (i.e. some points to consider. individuals with weakened immune system due to some underlying health condition) 28 days after the second dose of At the present time, FDA will not offer official guidance on mixing Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. These immunocompromised patients Pfizer or Moderna booster doses with vaccines marketed outside did not build enough protection against Covid-19 with two dose US (such as Covaxin or Covishield) simply because the US vaccination and therefore, require a third dose. population did not take those other vaccines sold outside the US On 22 Sep2021, boosters were only approved for use in certain yet. Pfizer, J&J and Moderna Covid vaccines have been in eligible population beginning six months after receiving second abundant supply in the US and FDA focused on reviewing the long- dose of Pfizer vaccine. term efficacy and safety of mixing Moderna and Pfizer vaccines This certain eligible population include the following: (both are mRNA mechanism of action vaccine) or mixing J&J with -adults 65 years or older or either Pfizer or Moderna vaccines for booster scenarios. -adults 18 to 64 years old at high risk of severe COVID-19 (due to underlying health condition) or Research studies are ongoing globally for mixing and matching -adults 18 to 64 years old with occupational exposure (i.e. health Covid vaccines that belong to different mechanism of action and care workers who are around sick patients or teachers who are developed by different companies that are marketed in different surrounded by unvaccinated students, manufacturing workers, countries. first responders, grocery workers etc.). On 20 Oct2021, FDA has approved boosters for people approved Supply issues of vaccines, cost efficiencies, storage infrastructure for use in certain eligible population beginning six months after or safety concerns of the vaccines prompted several countries receiving second dose of Moderna vaccine. across the globe (including Canada and UK) to consider mixing and This certain eligible population include the following: matching of vaccines. -adults 65 years or older or In general, mixing vaccines could create a broader, more potent -adults 18 to 64 years old at high risk of severe COVID-19 (due to immune response than multiple doses of a single vaccine. With the underlying health condition) or 100 or so Covid vaccine ongoing clinical trials globally, we will get -adults 18 to 64 years old with occupational exposure (i.e. health to a state soon where substitution of Covid vaccine could be as care workers who are around sick patients or teachers who are simple as what brand is available to you in a store near you. surrounded by unvaccinated students, manufacturing workers, first responders, grocery workers etc.). How about your children? On 20 Oct2021, FDA has approved boosters for the following Children aged 12 to 18 years old who received Pfizer covid vaccine, population beginning two months after taking one dose (i.e. two doses at 3 weeks apart are not eligible for Pfizer booster at primary dose) of J&J vaccine this time. -Adults 18 years or older And for those school aged children aged 5 to 11 years old who have no vaccine approval yet, Pfizer vaccine approval is A major breaking news also that occurred on 20Oct2021 is that anticipated in the next few weeks. FDA has mixing and matching of boosters for the eligible For children less than 5 years old, it will take more time to population. complete additional safety monitoring in this patient population group before a vaccine could be approved for them. This article is not a substitution for medical advice and please contact your doctor for specific scenario that is applicable to your health condition especially for mix and matching of vaccines. Priya Nandi is a pharmaceutical research scientist and a licensed registered immunization pharmacist in the state of NJ. She earned her doctoral degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences from St. John’s university, NY. Her doctoral research work involved oral protein drug delivery using lipid dosage formulation technology. Dr. Nandi has 20 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry. She has developed pharmaceutical products that were designed for testing in various phases of Drug Product Development from proof of concept to commercial launch - preclinical, Clinical Phases 1, 2, 3 and Life Cycle Management. She is author of two product formulation patents and published her doctoral research work in peer reviewed journals. She has Drug Safety and Global Pharmacovigilance monitoring experience in various therapeutic areas. She is an experienced pharmacist in both retail and hospital pharmacy settings. She is involved in Indian community service and associated with Chinmaya Mission, Branchburg, NJ. She is passionate about vaccine education and provides invited seminars on-line and non-invited lectures in person to vaccine nay-sayers and believes strongly in healthcare equity. ** This article is not a substitution for medical advice and please contact your doctor for specific scenario that is applicable to your health condition especially for mix and matching of vaccines. Vaishali - Diwali Special Edition 2021 Page - 44

Bihar Jharkhand Association of North America EXPERIENCE MODEL UNITED NATION(MUN) Model United Nation (MUN) is a platform which provides -Tanush Singh, Grade 9 education simulation that enables students to learn about diplomacy, international relations and the United Nations. West Windsor Plainsboro North At an MUN teaches participants research, writing, speaking, debating, teamwork and leadership skills. At It was the first multilateral disarmament deal to prohibit MUN conference students work as a representative of a the use of a whole class of chemical weapons. However, country, organization or person and solve the problem one of the most important examples of early employment with delegates from around the world. MUN is a great of biological weapons may be found in the 14th century, platform for middle school, high school and college when the Mongols attempted to conquer the city of students at various level to learn these skills. Caffa (or Kaffa), which resulted in the use of one of the Middle Ages' most virulent biological weapons: the At MUN conference delegate research, formulate position Bubonic Plague. Going on this was one of the first recorded uses of biological warfare occurred in 1347, papers and create policy proposals that they will debate when plague-infested carcasses were reportedly flung over the walls into the Black Sea port of Caffa (now with other delegates in their committee. I have recently Feodosiya, Ukraine), which was at the time a Genoese commercial center in the Crimean Peninsula. Some attainted a MUN conference, and it was a great historians believe that plague-infected ships from the beleaguered city returned to Italy, kicking off the Black The Use ofexperience to present position paper on Death pandemic that spread through Europe for the next Biological and Chemical Weapons in Mongolia as four years, killing an estimated 25 million people (about explained further in this article one-third of the population). The risk posed by various microorganisms as biological Potential Solutions weapons must be assessed, and the historical As a whole Mongolia would like to purpose a treaty to all of the countries. In that treaty consists of many things to development and usage of biological agents must be suppress the use of Biological Weapons and Chemical Weapons. Setting up certain restrictions in entering better recognized, due to the rising threat of terrorism. countries and setting up certain search stations to avoid the use of Biological Weapons and Chemical Weapons. Biological warfare agents have the potential to be more Treaties, international accords, and political pursuits have all failed to control or eliminate bioweapons from effective than conventional and chemical weapons. The the planet. Vaccines against viruses and bacteria, as well as antibiotics and medicines against bacteria, are among Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, the methods available for particular defense against bioweapons. Implementing another solution can be, situated in The Hague, is in charge of international something the authorities can carry out. Large scales of remote temperature measurements of households in verification measures. It offers States technical support in apartment complexes through drones equipped with infrared cameras. Drones are being used to patrol public executing the Convention's requirements. Each country places. Police forces debuted augmented reality (AR) smart glasses powered by artificial intelligence (AI) must also establish a national body to ensure capabilities, designed to recognize individuals with potential biological weapons. The nation of Mongolia coordination and implementation. Because big believes these solutions will completely disregard the use of biological and chemical weapons. developments in the chemical and biological sciences Work Cited have such a large potential for both good and evil, “Biological Weapons.” Britannica, Barry R. Schneider, www.britannica.com/technology/biological- weapon/Biological-weapons-in-history. Accessed 14 Oct. 2021. vigilance against their misuse to produce chemical and “NCBI.” NCBI, Gigi Kwik Gronvall, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5314976. Accessed 14 Oct. 2021. biological weapons remains critical. Several countries are “NIH.” National Library of Medicine, Maurice R Hilleman, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12163257/#:~:text=Treaties%2C%20international%20agreements%2C%20 currently working on nuclear, biological, and chemical and%20political,antibiotics%20and%20drugs%20against%20bacteria. Accessed 14 Oct. 2021. “Oxford Academic.” Oxford Academic, Thomas V. Inglesby, weapon systems for the mass annihilation of humans, academic.oup.com/cid/article/30/6/926/433565. Accessed 14 Oct. 2021. “Plagues Biological Weapons.” History Collection, Wyatt Redd, historycollection.com/mongols-used- animals, and plants, as well as the destruction of their plague-biological-weapon. Accessed 14 Oct. 2021. adversaries' economies. Natural disasters and catastrophes in nuclear, chemical, and biological laboratories and enterprises have recently resulted in mass mortality among civilians. Future battles will have far-reaching consequences that will not be limited to military personnel. It is past time for doctors to become aware of these weapons' devastating potential. A high number of people will be saved if people are aware of the situation, take immediate preventive measures, and receive first aid. Mongolian Representative Gozon Jargalsaikhan made a statement at the Second Conference on the Humanitarian Impact of Biological Weapons in Nayarit, Mexico, on the 13th and 14th of February, reaffirming Mongolia's bio-weapon-free status and highlighting the importance of humanitarian consequences in countries' nuclear policy deliberations. The Biological Weapons Convention effectively forbids biological and toxin weapons development, manufacturing, acquisition, transfer, stockpiling, and use. Vaishali - Diwali Special Edition 2021 Page - 45

THEY CHOSE - AMI JHA, GRADE 7 People discriminate individuals of color They say they’re different, not like the others African-Americans, Pacific Islanders are a few But they do a lot, here, let me show you They could have said no, but they chose to inspire To the occasion they rose, to the heights they aspire Like MLK jr, Kathrine J and many more They chose to stand up, not to ignore The problems they faced, and we still face now They chose to rise, injustice they didn’t allow Inventions they created, books they wrote One of them was president, because of our vote This serves to prove, they can do astonishing things To help escapees, to dance, and to sing They chose to help us, and everyone around With their inspirational speeches, with their findings profound They chose to be them, to stand for what’s right And in their darkness, their actions were light We sometimes don’t, but we should recognize these heroes They helped the world, our freedom, we owe!!! I AM FROM! Page - 46 - IPSITA BARNWAL, GRADE 8 “I am from pictures and paintings all over the walls, from reading glasses and mugs for chai, I am from the uncomfortable, yet comforting environment of being home, From steamy hot samosas on the table when I get back from school, I am from the overgrown money plant we’ve had in the main hallway for years, From the pear tree just outside our neighborhood, whose long limbs I remember as if they were my own. I’m from Diwali get togethers and hospitality From Maansi and Manan I’m from eating out on Fridays and Thanksgiving dinners with extended family and from “dinner time is family time” I’m from “I knew you would love it” and “let’s go before we’re late!” and “hope for the best, prepare for the worst.” I’m from throwing colors at each other on Holi And from Lucknow City and India From drinking Mango Lassi and eating Dosas From countless “remember when’s” Trips on summer vacations, and/or in the middle of the year, with the occasional one to India. These are the things which make me who I am. Vaishali - Diwali Special Edition 2021

Bihar Jharkhand Association of North America Dr. Prabhat Das Foundation a non-political and charitable organization Wishes all of you a very Happy Diwali To know more about us, visit - www.drprabhatdasfoundation.org Page - 47

Bihar Jharkhand Association of North America THE MENTAL HEALTH IMPACT ON CHILDREN DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC - Dr. Niru Prasad The year 2020 will always be remembered as the world’s most widespread and deadly pandemic. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared Covid-19 a pandemic in March 2020, and soon afterward all schools, restaurants, hotels, and local businesses closed to suppress the virus. Here we are, almost 17 months later, and we are still unable to control the infections by Covid-19 and the variants due to mutation of the virus. We also have emerging strains of the virus that are affecting our children and seniors. In the United States, as reported by CDC, as of last month more American children were being affected due to transmission of the sars-cov-2 virus. It is hard to predict how the data will look since it is changing every day. Here is what we have learned so far: The symptoms of Covid 19-SARS include fever, fatigue, What are the physical impacts of a pandemic?: headaches, myalgia, cough, sneezing, and more non-specific symptoms like flu or seasonal allergies. Current evidence Malnutrition due to underfeeding, obesity due to according to CDC and WHO suggests that children with inadequate proper nutritious food, hx of underlined diseases underlying illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, and chronic such as diabetes, hypertension, improper behaviors, and asthma suffer more and need hospitalizations. more. Although medical literature initially showed that children were minimally susceptible to covid 19, THE Testing, isolation, and quarantine for our school-aged CURRENT EVIDENCE SHOWS THAT CHILDREN ARE THE children: VICTIMS OF COVID 19 VARIANT, SO-CALLED DELTA VARIANT. They are hit hardest by the psycho-social impact What are the criteria for testing? Above mentioned signs and of the pandemic. The full impact of quarantine, social symptoms, plus close contact with someone with lab-confirmed isolation from their friends, missing school lunches, loss of Covid-19. The high likelihood for exposure such as living in a job of their parents or caretakers, death of family members closed community, traveling, participating in closed sports all TOGETHER HAVE BROUGHT a significant impact on activity, or being very active socializations. children. Our health care workers should work with families to keep them updated with childhood immunizations, necessary vaccines, and WHAT ARE THE ROLE OF PARENTS, CARETAKERS, SCHOOL upcoming influenza vaccines for early fall. ADVISORS, AND MENTAL HEALTH STAFF?: What are the recent guidelines for vaccination of kids and 1. Open communication with your children, their teenagers?: pediatrician, connect with other families and work with school systems. www.childrenshospital.org Covid vaccines for children above 12 2. Many students across the nation are dealing with sudden years of age have been approved by FDA and CDC after several changes to their social lives and daily routines, inability to studies and recommended by WHO. access proper food and nutrition due to financial insecurity, inability to attend schools, social isolation, and more. These What are the clinical symptoms of depression in children challenges can present feelings of sadness and anxiety and during the pandemic?: stress among children. 3. Parents struggling with their own life, have problems Look at the children around you, some of them might be balancing the family life with their professional career and struggling with mental issues. The factual statistics from the need help themselves towards raising their children during National Institute of Mental Health reveals that probably 1 in 5 the crisis. children all over the United States are affected by this serious, debilitating mental illness. However, statistics have revealed that most of them recover completely with early diagnosis and treatment. But the major barrier to this stigma is the aura and fear due to the loss of their family members, friends, loss of job, financial issues, being away from their friends at school, and more. Vaishali - Diwali Special Edition 2021 Page - 48