Published Pieces
New York Stories
I am Great Because I Serve – Remembering Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Martin Luther King Day has become a national service day and in this piece I describe the places I volunteered and what I did.
The FireBoat House in Brooklyn
The Fireboat house was built after the Fulton Ferry terminal shuttered in the early 20th Century. Now it houses the Brooklyn Ice Cream shop.
I Met God and She is …
A review of an art show by Brooklyn’s Museum of contemporary African Diaspora Arts
The Puppet Dance at Jalopy Theater
Risha Gorig, the experimental artist, performs as a marionette.
Author Ivy Pachoda Recreates Red Hook
An interview and review of Visitation Street, a small-town noir, set in noted Red Hook neighborhoods.
The Government View of Hurricane Sandy Relief
Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez’s office answers questions on the amount FEMA and other agencies provided for Red Hook’s Hurricane Sandy relief and recovery.
A Mexican Artist Makes Red Hook His Home
Bosco Sodi, the autodidactic and abstract artist, finds Red Hook’s peace and quiet alluring.
Asia Society Offers a Space to Slow Down and Reflect
When Asia Society presented the exhibit Golden Visions of Densatil: A Tibetan Buddhist Monastery, the society began offering 30-minute mindfulness sessions.
An Upper East Side Building Becomes an Oasis for its Next Door Neighbor
New York City residents unite to help those affected by Hurricane Sandy: here one compassionate building housed residents and dogs for the night.
Red Hook Residents Reflect on Sandy, Five Years On
Red Hook was hit hardest by Hurricane Sandy. In this piece, I profile residents to see how they fare five years after.
Women
In a Nod to Modern Matchmaking, Shoba Finds a Son-In-Law Online
The dating landscape has changed in the last decade, moving from a personal to a largely online platform. Here is one mother’s successful story on Shadi.com, an Indian matrimonial site.
The Brink: A Female Gaze into Steve Bannon’s World
A film-maker follows Steve Bannon for thirteen months and presents an uncensored look into the Bannon political machine.
Single Woman Fulfills Quest to Control Her Biological Clock
A candid portrayal of how one woman fulfilled her quest to have a child through in-vitro fertilization.
Director of ‘India’s Daughter’ Nixes more Filmmaking
An interview with Leslee Udwin who believes that the content of education is often more important than its access.
October 11 is International Day: A Day to Celebrate Girls and Education
Sarah Fane, a doctor and founder of Afghan Connection, believes in building many schools especially for girls in Afghanistan.
Immigrant Stories
Podcast: Remembering Srini, a Leader in a Hidden Corner of New York
A profile of a patient at the now defunct Goldwater Hospital on Roosevelt Island who, despite being a paraplegic, tirelessly advocated for the needs of other patients.
A Voice for Afghan Women
Woman for Afghan Woman, a community center in Flushing, provides English classes and counseling services for woman.
India Home: A Home Away from Home
India Home, started in 2008 within senior centers, provides both spiritual and social activities for the South Asian diaspora.
Making Cheese for Peace
A twinning event in New Jersey brings together Muslims and Jews to build relationships and dispel misconceptions between two faiths.
Religion
Meet Gadadhara Pandit Dasa, Columbia University’s First Hindu Chaplain
A day in the life of Columbia University’s first Hindu Chaplain.
Inspired by Spiritual Leader, Immigrant Community Cooks food for NYC Homeless
Volunteers cook and distribute food on a regular basis at shelters in Bellevue and Harlem.
Sai Volunteers Help Rebuild Homes Destroyed By Sandy
In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy the Sai group, a Hindu volunteer organization, worked in Breezy Point alongside Habitat for Humanity to rebuild homes.
Politics
Beware! That Cryptocurrency Get Rich Quick Scheme is a Scam!
This piece explains the what crypto currency is and how it is easy to be scammed by an online crypto currency payment.
Three Cities Make Headway Against Homelessness
Three cities: Bakersfield, Houston, and Columbus have made headway against homelessness in America. Learn how they did it.
Why Latin America Matters to the U.S.
Despite a migration crisis, Latin America is stepping up as leader in climate change, energy transitions and green growth.
Millions of Children are at Risk of Losing Healthcare
The Public Health Emergency will expire on July 15, 2022. This news bulletin talks about the consequences for people insured and how citizens can continue to maintain healthcare coverage.
The Mental Health of America’s Children Is At Risk
The pandemic is taking a toll on the mental health of minority children in America. In a survey, the CDC found 55% experiencing emotional abuse and 4% reported feelings of sadness.
Reporting In Your Own Community Can Be As Dangerous As Covering Those In Power
All over the world journalists are being killed, harassed, intimidated and imprisoned. Hear editors talk about their experiences and learn ways to help media.
If You’re Behind on Rent, California Can Help
Millions of California homeowners, first time home buyers, renters and small landlords are currently facing threats of foreclosure, getting evicted or not being able to afford a home. Read this piece to find help.
Somalia Has Just Become a Recognized Country. So What Does That Now Mean for Somaliland?
An interview with a Claremont McKenna graduate who spent six months teaching English and Economics at Hargeisa University in Somaliland. Published in Huffpost.com
Dance
Malavika Sarukkai: Achieving Transcendence in Dance
Before Malavika Sarukkai’s performance at Lincoln Center’s White Light Festival, she sat down to talk about transcendence in dance.
Meditation and Mindfulness
Mindful Awareness Practices at a Manhattan Private School
In 2009, Trinity’s lower school decided to try out principles of mindfulness in two grades. The results were promising.
Private School Children Learn Skills to Manage in a Complex World
A private school in Schenectady uses mindfulness as well as a curriculum that promotes empathy to enhance learning.
Children at a Manhattan Public School Learn Techniques to Relax
Children at PS 112 learn skills that diffuse tension in the school day.
Thoughts on Mindful Awareness Practices in Education
The piece focuses on mindfulness research and its application in schools.
Sports Medicine
Young Sports Professionals
The incidence of injuries among young professional athletes is on the rise.
Immigrant Education
Should Immigrant Kids Whose Second Language is English Have Extra Time to Finish School?
Recent immigrants have difficulty learning English in four years to pass the English Regents exam necessary for graduation. A professor of linguistics offers suggestions.
Toastmasters: A Lesson in Public Speaking
Toastmasters, a class at the Lower East Side Preparatory High School, helps immigrant students master English and public speaking.
Peer-to-Peer Tutoring Helps Struggling Students
Tutoring by peers can be an effective model especially when students are shy and have special needs.
Fighting Hard for Success on the Lower East Side
A profile of the Lower East Side Preparatory High School that has a large concentration of Chinese students but fares well with the D.O.E.
A Tale of Two Schools Learning English as a Second Language
Two Manhattan schools are compared in their methods of teaching English to immigrant students.
Budget Tug-Of-War at Immigrant School: Better Class Instruction vs Mental Health Services
At the Manhattan International School, budget pressures affect the school providing mental health services which can be necessary for new immigrants.
Immigrant Kids Gaining Despite Mixed Report Card for Brooklyn Dual Language School
At P.S. 24, a dual language school, in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, children make progress despite DOE’s strict evaluation standards.
Yoga and Ayurveda
Ashtanga Yoga Studio Becomes A Hindu Temple
The Ganesh Temple on Broome Street functions dually as an Ashtanga center and Hindu temple.
The Hard Road for the Alternative Practitioner
Profile of a Ayurvedic doctor who believes in treating ailments with natural remedies – sometimes a last resort for patients.