University of Houston renames engineering building after Indian-American couple
Houston: A building at the University of Houston has been renamed after an Indian-American couple in recognition of their contribution to aid research projects, faculty and students at the varsity.
The university, a public research college founded in 1927, renamed its Engineering Research Building after Durga D Agrawal and Sushila, long-time Houstonians, on April 26, university officials said.
Indian-American chancellor and president of the university Renu Khator, Consul General of India Anupam Ray, members of the Indian community, students and faculty were present at the building dedication ceremony.
The USD 51-million building, which opened in 2017, had earlier named a floor after the couple.
The Durga D and Sushila Agrawal Engineering Research Building has been named to recognise a transformational gift that the Agrawals have made, an university release said.
Agrawal, 74, who is from a nondescript village in Madhya Pradesh's Lakhanpur, expressed his admiration and respect for his professors at the university, who "put their heart and soul" into teaching students including some like him who had trouble understanding the language and the American accent.
Having immigrated to Houston in 1968, after his Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Delhi College of Engineering, Agrawal earned two advanced degrees in Industrial Engineering from the University of Houston's (UH) Cullen College of Engineering.
He is a member of the UH System Board of Regents and serves as chair on the UH's endowment management committee. He also served on the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for four years.
Durga started his piping technology and products company in 1975. Today, the company is a leading player in its category and employs over a 1,000 people.
"My life's philosophy is to always be optimistic. One can achieve any goal with hard work, persistence and determination," he said. Family bonds are important to the Agrawals.
"My parents played a major role in teaching me the values of giving and being kind. The UH has a very special place in my heart. We must keep the torch of knowledge, excellence and innovation growing and glowing," he said.
At the dedication ceremony, president of the university Khatos said,"We named the new engineering building after Dr and Mrs Durga Agrawal, our alum and regent, to celebrate their generosity and their gift will inspire our students and alumni for many generations."
The building on campus bears no resemblance to the one Durga studied in but has been rebuilt on the same piece of land.
Agrawal was the first major donor and founding president of India House, a community centre that offers free services and community programs.
Being the founder and first president of the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston, Agarwal has been part of many delegations to promote trade and exchange of educational and medical resources between Houston and India.
He was once introduced by former President George Bush as "my good friend from Texas" at a State Dinner for India's then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at Capitol Hill.
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Several Gurugram schools receive hoax bomb threats
Gurugram (PTI): Several Gurugram schools received another hoax bomb threat emails on Wednesday morning, prompting police to launch searches on the premises.
Police said the email was sent by the 'Khalistan National Army', with threats issued to Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini to declare April 29 as the "40th Khalistan Declaration Day". It also threatened to bomb the Red Fort in Delhi.
Police said it was a hoax as no suspicious items were found after an intensive search.
Several schools, including Shri Ram, Amity, and the HDFC school, received threatening emails at 8.33 am, when classes had already begun, police said.
The school administrations became aware of the threats around 9 am and immediately informed the police, a senior police officer said.
The schools immediately implemented emergency protocols, with many declaring a holiday and asking parents to take their children home safely, the officer said.
A large number of anxious parents gathered outside the schools, as police and bomb squad teams reached the spots and started checks.
"Around 10 schools have approached the police from morning until now over bomb threats. Police teams are alert, and searches are underway on all the premises", the officer said.
As soon as the information about this email was received, police in Gurugram and Delhi swung into action and started investigation.
Schools immediately implemented emergency protocols upon receiving the mail. Many schools declared a holiday and sent messages to parents, asking them to take their children home. Large crowds of parents gathered outside the schools.
The schools were sanitised by sending a bomb disposal squad as well as a dog squad.
A senior police officer said that police teams thoroughly searched the school premises, classrooms, buildings, and surrounding areas. No suspicious objects or explosive materials were found during the investigation.
"Police teams are seriously investigating the entire matter. Cyber experts are being consulted to determine the authenticity of the email, its source, and the identity of the sender", added the officer.
This is the third time since January that schools have received fake bomb threats.
In March, at least a dozen schools in the city received bomb threat emails, which later turned out to be hoaxes.
Similarly, on January 28, as many as 13 schools received hoax bomb threats via email, forcing authorities to evacuate campuses and suspend classes.
Last month, police arrested a Bangladeshi national whose email ID was allegedly used to make a bomb threat for some payment.
