Idaho Christians protest Ganesha sculpture

Statute of Lord Ganesha that has IdahoChristians up-in-arms.

Christians of Kootenai County in theCity of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, haveprotested the display of a sculpture ofLord Ganesha that is part of the city's newdowntown art display in a city park describingit as an "Hindu demon" and an "abomination."

"Christians of Kootenai County should bedismayed at the appearance of a Hindudemon, Ganesh, statue that is currently foundon Sherman Ave in Coeur d'Alene," said theKootenai County Constitution Party on itswebsite calling the managers of the art program,a "godless group of individuals" whoapproved this "abomination" by artist RickDavis, and urged Christians to protest the display.

However, there was a peaceful counterprotestof ‘art lovers' at the venue who far outnumberedthe anti-Ganesha protestors.

Demonstrators on both sides carried placards– a sign opposing the Ganesha sculpture read"The veneration of the idols is the worship ofdemons," while the one carried by counterdemonstratorssupporting the sculpture said"Go away all intolerant hate mongers. We loveart."

The City of Coeur d'Alene on June 10,2011, dedicated ArtCurrents, the city's newestart-on-loan program providing sculptures onloan from artists around the country and availablefor purchase. Fourteen art pieces havebeen sited in the downtown corridor and CityPark for public viewing for one year, or untilsold. The city receives 25 percent of the proceedsof any sales.

Harish Jajoo sworn in as city council member in Texas

Harish Jajoo being sworn in at the SugarLand City Hall

Harish Jajoo andwife Shashi

Newly elected District 4City Council member forSugarland, Texas, Harishwas sworn in on June 21, 2011 atthe City Hall followed by a receptionat the Imperial Theatre.

Present at the reception were hiswife Shashi, friends and manycommunity leaders.

James A Thompson, of Sugarland,Texas, expressed confidencein Jajoo.

Jajoo edged Pakistani-Americanattorney and investmentmanager Farha Ahmed on June11, 2011 in the runoff election for the city council seat in District 4 in Sugar Land.Jajoo secured 1,473 or 52.38per cent of the total votes, while1,340 or 47.62 per cent polledfor Ahmed. Jajoo had a 915-724advantage in pre-election dayballoting, while Ahmed polledbetter on voting day, getting 616votes to 559 for her opponent.

The tight contest was marredby a flier, circulated before theelection and quoting a Pakistaninewspaper, erroneously insinuatedthat Ahmed would representAfia Sidique, a woman dubbedas "Lady al-Qaida," in a criminalcase.

Raj Nathan gifts $100K to Kansas State University

Raj Nathan

Indian American Raj Nathanand his wife Diana havegifted $100,000 to the Collegeof Engineering at KansasState University, to establish theRaj and Diana Nathan UndergraduateResearch ExcellenceFund, which will provide financialassistance to undergraduatestudent research in the college.

Dr. Nathan, who earned hisdoctorate and master's degreefrom Iowa State University, anda bachelor's degree from theUniversity of Madras, in India,had served as professor inKansas State for four years. Hewas recognized with the Collegeof Engineering's prestigiousJames L. Hollis Award for Excellencein Undergraduate Teachingand named the Steel Ring adviserof the year.

As the executive vice presidentat Sybase, a global softwarecompany with more than 4,000employees in 60 countries,Nathan sets the technology directionand spearheads all marketinginitiatives for thecompany and its subsidiaries -Sybase iAnywhere and Sybase365.

In light of his world experienceand achievements, Nathan alsounderstands the value and impacthis gift will have on the Collegeof Engineering. "Research is atthe heart of innovation, and toencourage interest in researchfrom the early stages is what thedean aims. We are happy to lendour support to this important initiative."Diana Nathan, a 1983 graduateof Kansas State's College of Engineering,is equally thrilled withthe opportunities the couple's giftwill help provide to students."Having financial assistance inthe form of scholarships was ofimmense help to me when I wentthrough the engineering programat Kansas State," she said."We're glad to be able to do thesame for future students."

Aryaka nets $15 Million in VC funding

Aryaka Networks, provider ofthe world's first cloud-basedWAN optimization and applicationacceleration solution, announcedon June 7, 2011 anoversubscribed $15 million Series Bround of funding.

The funding was done by NexusVenture Partners with participationfrom Trinity Ventures and MohrDavidow Ventures. Ajit Gupta,founder, President and CEO ofAryaka is an engineering graduate ofUniversity of Alabama.

Aryaka will use the additionalfunds to further accelerate adoptionof its revolutionary SaaS model fordata transfer and application deliveryin the lucrative midmarket. Gupta isresponsible for building the Aryakavision and guiding the company'sstrategy. He has more than 25 yearsof experience in management, sales,support and professional services.