“Aging is not ‘lost youth’ but a new stage of opportunity and strength.”
PRESIDENT’S REPORT # 47 - Mukund Mehta
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Dear Friends:
The following is a brief report of the December 10, 2020 Zoom meeting report which is abbreviated since the meeting was recorded and promptly placed on YouTube by Jagdishbhai Patel, VP-PR. Thanks Jagdishbhai.
1. The December 10th Meeting:
The meeting started with a prayer by Mrs. Taraben Patel and Mrs. Pratikaben Patel.
A moment of silence was observed to pay tribute for the sad demise of our member Mr. Kiritbhai C. Shah (Mrs. Jayshreeben’s husband.) Our condolences and sympathies to the family. May God rest his soul in peace. Condolence messages may be sent to kiritjay@aol.com
While welcoming members, President urged them to be guarded against the second wave of once-in-a-century pandemic which is rampant in the New York region.
(A) Shri Dwarkeshlalji Mahodayshri’s Presentation:
Vaishnavacharya Shri Dwarkeshlalji Mahodayshri in his 80-minute down-to-earth presentation provided ingredients for enjoying life in old age.
Viewers attended in droves. (450 Zoom logins)
Shri Harishbhai Parikh, a trustee of Vaishnav Temple of New York, succinctly introduced Shri Dwarkeshlalji. Harishbhai and his wife Dr. Naliniben are devout followers of the Pushtimargiy principles. The introduction as well as profiles of Harishbhai and his wife Dr. Naliniben are attached.
Aacharyashri epitomized old age to a humongous banyan tree which provides coolness to others as is the case with old age which treasures a reservoir of knowledge and experience providing benefits to others. He discussed about વૃદ્ધત્વ and ઘરડાપણ. Though both denote aging, the former indicates aging with positive thoughts – ઉચ્ચ વિચારો, whereas the latter indicates aging with negative thoughts – નબળા વિચારો.
Priorities, vision and outlook in life change with aging as is evident from interests dictated by strenuous physical activities of youths and young adults compared with those of older people. Older folks, though physically weak, should aim to age with grace, strong મન and positive attitude which distinguish વૃદ્ધત્વ from ઘરડાપણ.
Acharyashri analyzed at length characters of ધૃતરાષ્ટ્ર, ભીષ્મ and નંદબાબા to illustrate how thoughts shape a person. The blind ધૃતરાષ્ટ્ર is known for selfishness, jealousy, possessive, and નબળા વિચારો; ભીષ્મ, though idealistic- આદર્શવાદી , favored a wrong group – કૌરવ; whereas, નંદબાબા, on the other hand, symbolizes આનંદ, મહોત્સવ and પ્રસન્નતા.
The lessons to be learned from the trio’s characters are: render selfless love, desire to enjoy life till the end, do good to others so that people remember even after death, cultivate the habit of giving rather than getting, do not follow people with negative thoughts, support the right people, fulfill all your desires, remember that મન makes a person happy as well as unhappy, regurgitate past happy memories, be optimistic, remember to be flexible according to the circumstances, inspire rather than advise others, organize your affairs, try to accept and adjust according to the current situation since no time left for improvement, to make વૃધં મધુરમ try to be like Nandbaba so that one can achieve a divine death.
Viewers with large attendance gave a thumping applause to Vaishnavacharya Shri Dwarkeshlalji Mahodayshri.
(B) Bhajan Sandhya:
Spiritual Development Center (Adhyatmik Vikas Kendra) which organizes bhajans each Friday uninterrupted for more than 45 years gave a Bhajan Sandhya program coordinated by its President Paragbhai Patel with the guidance of Mr. Dahyabhai Patel who recently retired as President after serving the Center since its inception.
Bhajan Sandhya kicked off with a Deep Pragatya followed by a string of Bhajans melodiously sung by Hansaben Patel, Prakashbhai Patel, Bhikhiben Patel, Manjulaben Mistry, Paragbhai Patel, Ashaben Dharawat, Vinodaben Patel, Laxmanbhai Patel, Ranjanben Patel, Pushpaben Patel, Ritaben Zaveri, Natubhai Patel, Rekhaben & Mayurbhai Trivedi, Padma Mehta, Kamuben Patel, Bhanuben Jyotishi, Chandrakant Shah, Bhartiben & Dipakbhai Mehta, Illaben Butala, Homeshbhai Patel, Rasikbhai Patel, Taraben Patel, Harshaben Jani, and Ganpatbhai Mistry.
Viewers appreciated the singing by the Bhajan group.
A Vote of Thanks by Mr. Manohar Parmar.
2. Contributions:
Thanks to Nitinbhai & Smrutiben Shah for their generous donation of $100.
2(a). Akshay Patra:
We thank all the members (listed in the attached pdf) for their generous donations to Akshay Patra.
- The Computer Class:
Prof Raj Vangapaty is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting on Sunday, December 13, 2020 from 10:30am to 12:30pm.
Topic: Computer Technology Course for India Home Members
Time: This is a recurring meeting Meets at 10:30 am Sunday
Join Zoom Meeting
https://indiahome.zoom.us/j/98114126485?pwd=TjFlVHdiQW5hR2UwU0tKSHpXSlRWUT09
Meeting ID: 981 1412 6485
Passcode:
- The Yoga Class:
Our member Rupaben Dharia’s Yoga class is going in full swing as about 70 families participate on Zoom every Tuesday and Friday at 11:00am. The next class is on Tuesday, December 15, 2020. For your queries, please contact her at rdharia78@yahoo.com or by text at 917 435 1890.
ID: 715 3405 1087
Password: 6789
- The Arts Class:
India Home has extended an invitation to our members to join the arts, creative writing, cooking, crafts and technology classes. Please contact Mrs. Kavita Shah, Creative Aging Director, at 917 825 1559 for the Zoom link as well as for new educational and informative events. For additional programs, you may visit the following link:
https://indiahome.zoom.us/j/7280154731?pwd=d1preTlFMng5NXBQdFlKVjVqenh5Zz09
Meeting ID: 728 015 4731
Passcode: 2007
- Future Programs:
Mr. Nitanjan Patel, Secretary, provided details of the future programs.
Please note the ID and Password for the programs (i) through (xiv) and (xvi).
ID: 516 607 5252
Password: 5252
(i) ANTAKSHARI
and
Annual General Meeting:
Please get ready for the next round of ANTAKSHARI, managed by Sachin & Surabhi Dhomne on Thursday, December 17, 2020 at 10:30am. Details to follow.
Sponsors are Jagdishbhai & Shailaben Patel. Co-sponsors are Navinbhai & Harshaben Jani.
Also, Annual General Meeting will be held at 12:30pm. Notice of the meeting was sent to members.
(ii) Musical Program:
A musical program Ek Shaam Lata Ke Naam by Dhomne Group with orchestra is planned on Saturday, December 19, 2020 at 10:30am, sponsored by Dinesh & Kailasben Shah, Dipak & Bhartiben Mehta, Rameshbhai & Lataben Shah,
and a Well Wisher.
(iii) NOTE: No Thursday meetings on December 24 & 31 due to Holiday Celebrations.
(iv) Christmas Program:
Kanpur Kalanidhi Group’s dance performance is planned on Saturday, December 26, 2020 at 10:30am.
Sponsors are Ashok & Priya Sheth. Co-sponsors are Ravindra & Shaila Shah.
(v) Music Program:
A music program by Sudesh Parmar Group with orchestra, sponsored by Arvindbhai & Kalpanaben Dharia, is planned on Saturday, January 2, 2021 at 10:30am.
(vi) Vaccines Lecture:
Ptresentation on “Vaccines and How They Impact Your Health Decisions” by Ms. Vaidehi Jokhakar, LMSW, MPH, on Thursday, January 7, 2021.
(vii) Music Program:
A musical program of Mukesh-Sada Bahar by Dhomne Group with orchestra is planned on Saturday, January 9, 2021 at 10:30am, sponsored by Vijay Patel.
(viii) Musical Program:
A musical program of K L Saigal, by Shyamlal & Gargi Bhatt and sponsored by family and friends of Harendra & Pragna Sevak, is planned on Saturday, January 16, 2021 at 10:30am.
(ix) Musical Program:
A musical program by Dhomne Group with orchestra is planned on Saturday, January 23, 2021 at 10:30am, sponsored by Drs. Virendra & Nalini Juthani.
(x) Music Program:
An orchestra program by Narayan Shah’s Group of Baroda, sponsored by the Juthani family is planned on Saturday, February 6, 2021 at 10:30am.
(xi) Valentine’s Day:
Valentine’s Day, sponsored by Narendrabhai & Kaminiben Shah and Drs. Mahendra & Lila Shah, will be celebrated on Saturday, February 13, 2021 at 10:30am.
(xii) Music Program:
A musical program Suhani Chandni Raate by Dhomne Group, sponsored by Drs. Binita & RP Shah, is planned on Saturday, February 27, 2021 at 10:30am. (Full Moon Day)
(xiii) Music Program:
A musical program, sponsored by Drs. Mahendra & Lila Shah, is planned on Saturday, March 13, 2021 at 10:30am.
(xiv) Holi Celebration:
A musical/entertainment program by the Kanpur Kalanidhi Group to celebrate Holi, sponsored by Anil & Meena Shah, is planned on Saturday, March 27, 2021 at 10:30am.
(xv) Music Programs:
Musical program is planned by Senior Community Center – VTNY on Saturday, December 12, 2020 at 7:30 pm. Please contact Navinbhai Shah, President, at 646 675 4666 for details.
A flyer was forwarded earlier.
(xvi) Vishnu Sahsranam:
As advised earlier, Dr. Narendra Bhalodkar’s program on Vishnu Sahsranam is on every Monday from 9:45 to 11:00am. His next program will be on Monday, December 14, 2020.
(xvii) Music Program:
Brahmin Society of New York (BSNY) has planned a musical program on Sunday,the December 13, 2020 at 11:00am. For information, pl contact Rajesh Pandya at
A flyer was forwarded earlier.
(xviii) Dance Program:
South Asian Women have organized Indian Dances In America program on Saturday, December 19, 2020 at 7:30pm.
A flyer was forwarded earlier.
(xix) Music Program:
Long Island Gujarati Cultural Society’s Karaoke program is planned on Thursday, December 31, 2020 at 9:30pm. Pl contact Vijay Shah, President, at 631 371 6405.
A flyer was forwarded earlier.
Please stay healthy.
Mukund Mehta, President
December 12, 2020
Sent from my iPad