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www.newsindiatimes.com – that’s all you need to know Community News India Times (March 21, 2026 - March 27, 2026) March 27, 2026 9 Rupali Chandar Is Awarded Highest Honor By University Of Toledo, Ohio D r. Rupali Chandar, Professor at the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at the Univer- sity of Toledo in Ohio, has been awarded this year the honor of Distinguished University Professor by the University for her continuing research on the origins of the universe. Chandar is an expert in galactic formations, star clusters and life cycles of dense star clusters, which she has shown to begin to disperse in a few million years as opposed to the existing belief of them lasting for billions of years. Having joined the faculty at The University of Toledo as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy in 2007, Chandar became a Professor in 2016, and currently is the Helen Luedtke Brooks Endowed Professor of Astronomy, and Associate Chair of the De- partment of Physics and Astronomy. Chandar has developed a world-class research pro- gram to better understand how galaxies like our own evolve and the cycle of matter within galaxies including star and star clusters birth and death. Her research uses observational astronomy data, chiefly from the Hubble Space Telescope, the JamesWebb Space Telescope, and other facilities. Chandra’s research has been funded by National Sci- ence Foundation, the JamesWebb Space Telescope, the Hubble Space Telescope, the Chandra Space Telescope, and observatory missions. She has been the Principal Investigator of 38 projects and Co-Principal Investiga- tor or more than 40 projects. While at the University of Toledo, she has published more than 150 research papers and mentored several post doctoral fellows, graduate and undergraduate students. Dr. Chandar received her bachelor’s degree from Haverford College and her master’s and doctorate degrees from Johns Hopkins University. She completed postdoc- toral fellowships at the STScI and Carnegie Observatories before joining The University of Toledo. While at the University of Toledo, Chandar has demon- strated excellence in teaching, scholarship and profes- sional contribution and professional service. The honor of Distinguished University Professors at the University of Toledo is awarded to those who have earned national and international recognition and dis- tinction for educational, artistic and scholarly contribu- tions that have been transformative in their field. They are judged by their peers to be exemplary in teaching and education, in scholarly or creative contribution, and in service to their profession and their community. The University of Toledo’s astronomy program is highly regarded, ranking as an R1 top-tier institution for very high research activity. It was notably ranked 6th world- wide for successful NASA JamesWebb Space Telescope proposals in its first cycle and 18th in the Great Lakes region for “Most Focused” astronomy programs. By a StaffWriter PHOTO:COURTESY UNIVERSITY OFTOLEDO Dr. Rupali Chandar, Professor of Astronomy at University of Toledo, Ohio. 8th New Jersey Indian & International Film Festival To Showcase Global Cinema T he 8th New Jersey Indian & International Film Fes- tival (NJIIFF) will take place March 28–29, bringing together filmmakers, artists and audiences to cel- ebrate independent cinema and culturally diverse storytelling. Organized by the Indian Arts & Culture Corporation, the festival aims to connect filmmakers from India, the United States and the global diaspora while promoting socially relevant and meaningful films. The opening ceremony is scheduled for March 28 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Regal Hadley Theatre in South Plain- field, New Jersey. Filmmakers, invited guests and commu- nity members are expected to attend the event, which will officially launch the two-day festival. A special screening and awards program will follow on March 29 from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the ITV Gold Auditorium, located at 1655 Oak Tree Road in Edison, New Jersey. Se- lected films will be showcased, followed by an awards cer- emony recognizing participating filmmakers and artists. Among the featured works is the award-winning short film “Two Steps,” highlighting emerging voices and story- telling in independent cinema. The festival is presented in association with the 5th Marathi International Film Festival and supports the 4th Florida South Asian Film Festival, reflecting a collaborative effort to promote South Asian and international filmmak- ing. Through its programming and outreach, NJIIFF seeks to encourage dialogue, creativity and cross-cultural collabo- ration among filmmakers and audiences. The event is funded in part by the Arts Institute of Mid- dlesex County, with support from the Middlesex County Board of County Commissioners through an arts grant. For more information, visit www.njiiff.org. Media Contact: Hemant M. Pandya Indian Arts & Culture Corporation By a StaffWriter PHOTO: ORGANIZERS/ FILE PHOTO Attendees gather during a previous New Jersey Indian & International Film Festival event, celebrating independent cinema and cultural storytelling. Indian Seniors Of Chicago Host Ram Navami Celebration And Community Gathering T he Indian Seniors of Chicago (ISC) hosted a grand Ram Navami celebration on March 14 at Manav Seva Mandir, drawing approxi- mately 380 attendees for a day of cultural, spiritual and community activities. The program, organized by Bhupendra Suthar and Panna Shah, also included a celebration for members whose birthdays fall in the month of March. ISC President Kantibhai Patel, the event’s special guest, was honored with flowers and a ren- dition of “Happy Birthday” by attendees. The event began with cultural and wellness activ- ities, including a yoga demonstration by Umaben, who was later felicitated with flowers in recognition of her presentation. Community engagement was also a key part of the gathering. Neel Khot, a Democratic candidate in an upcoming congressional primary election, ad- dressed attendees and encouraged civic participa- tion, while Chitranjan Desai provided an overview of the election process. ISC Treasurer Hemant Modi presented the orga- nization’s financial update for February and shared details about upcoming events, including a collec- tive Satya Narayan Katha scheduled for April 5 at Manav Seva Mandir and a Gujarati play, “Chandu Chakdoleh Chadyo,” set for March 20. He encour- aged members to participate in both events. During the program, longtime ISC Execu- tive Committee member Manubhai P. Shah was honored for his years of service. He was felicitated with a shawl by Patel and Desai in recognition of his contributions to the organization. By Jayanti Oza