2021 Celebrations of the Center:

શ્રી ક્રિષ્ણ ગોવિંદ હરે મુરારી હે નાથ નારાયણ વાસુદેવા

Dear Friends:

The following are brief reports of the Zoom meetings held on Thursday, September 2, and Saturday, September 4, 2021. The meetings were anchored by Pankaj Parikh, VP, hosted by Jagdish Patel, VP -PR, and co-hosted by Niranjan Patel, Secretary. A PowerPoint presentation was prepared by Jyotindra Patel, Past President of GSNY. Proceedings of the meetings were placed on YouTube. Thanks to all.

Thanks to Bank of Baroda as a Grand Benefactor for Silver Jubilee Celebrations 2021-2022. Also thanks to our member Mr. Ashok Sheth for liaising with the Bank.

1. THE SEPTEMBER 2ND MEETING:

Prior to the start of the meeting, the SurSangam group of Nagpur started with a Dhoon with whom viewers joined.

The meeting started with a prayer by Mr. & Mrs. Niranjanbhai & Minaxiben Patel.

While welcoming members, President hoped all enjoyed and celebrated Janmashtami and Nand Mahotsav and expressed sympathy to those who suffered damages last night from flooded basements caused by torrential rain from the remnants of hurricane Ida.

(i) Mrs. Purviben Modi Malkan’s Presentation:

Purviben’s research-based હરી તારા નામ છે હજાર presentation provided viewers a historical background and gave a virtual યાત્રા to a host of Krishna’s temples, known by different names, throughout India. It was unfortunate that Krishna’s temple in Mathura, his birthplace, was destroyed by Mahmud Ghazni.

Krishna is known by several names, such as, Jagannath, ShreeNathji, Vithoba, Dwarkadishji, Ranchhodraiji, Guruvayurappan, GiridharGopal, ParthSarthi, Hari, NandKishor, among others.

Purviben narrated interesting details about each of the temples which included Nandishwar, Banke Bihari in Vrindavan, Sanwaria Sheth in Rajasthan , ShreeNathji in Nathdwara, Shamlaji in Gujarat, Dwarkadhish in Dwarka, Shri Keshavraiji in Beyt Dwarka, Ranchhodraiji in Dakor, Shri Vitthal Rukmini and Bhakt Pundalik in Pandharpur, Rajgopalaswamy in Tamilnadu, Guruvayurappan in Kerala, Venugopalkeshava in Karnatak, Udupi in Chennai, Shri Jagannath in Puri, Kali Mandir in Bengal, Durga Mandir, Naga Krishna Mandir in Nagaland, Govindajee Mandir in Manipur, Yulla Kanda in Himachal Pradesh, Hayagriva Madhav Mandir in Assam, among others.

Viewers applauded Purviben for her in-depth research of various Krishna temples of India shown through impressive slides.

(ii) Dr. Manoj Salpekar’s Presentation:

Dr. Manoj Salpekar adroitly narrated and displayed through video several places around the world where Janmashtami is celebrated. His presentation commenced with highlights of Krishna’s life displayed through book pages. Initially, the celebrations at Indian temples were shown. Janmashtami is celebrated throughout the globe wherever Indian diaspora is located. Impressive presentations included celebrations at Dallas, West Virginia, Toronto, Netherlands, Poland, London, Berlin, Czech Republic and Russia. Dr. Salpekar showed the recent celebration in Kashmir which happened after a gap of 32 years.

Colorful presentations included dancing and chanting of હરે રામ હરે રામ રામ રામ હરે હરે by the devotees of ISKCON in different countries. Dr. Salpekar briefed about the IAKCON founder Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad, whose 125th anniversary happened to be on September 1st and who has established about 400 ISKCON temples. The presentation also included beautiful Pichwai painting pictures and Bansuris, also known as Venu, Murli and Bansi.

Dr. Salpekar reminded to avoid નફરત – hate against others and પ્રેમ defeats નફરત. He also mentioned to refrain from આશક્તિ. His presentation on Janmashtami festivals around the world impressed viewers.

Thereafter, viewers participated in Garba Ramzat, which was followed by Aarti by SurSangam.

(iii) Announcements/PowerPoint Presentation:

Pankajbhai Parikh, VP, briefed about the remaining Janmashtami programs, T-shirts, memberships, brochure, contribution requests for a building.

A PowerPoint presentation, prepared by Jyotindrabhai Patel, was displayed for co-sponsors and past EC members Narendrabhai Choksi and Kulinbhai Parikh. Thanks to Chandrakantbhai & Renukaben Shah for upgrading their sponsorship from Silver to Gold.

(iv) Achievement by a Third Generation:

Sahil, 8, has written a book, Adventures of Super Chicken. He is the son of Dr. Kennar & Mital Jhaveri and the grand son of our members Mayur & Rekha Trivedi and Drs. Dinesh & Vandana Jhaveri. Congratulations Sahil. The book is available at Amazon.

A Vote of Thanks by Dr. Sunil Shah.

2. THE SEPTEMBER 4TH MEETING:

Prior to the start of the meeting, the SurSangam group of Nagpur started with a Dhoon in which viewers joined.

The meeting started with a prayer by Mr. & Mrs. Jagdishbhai & Shailaben Patel.

President welcomed members and viewers saying time has passed by very fast as we’re celebrating today the finale of the Janmashtami Mahotsav. He assured them that today’s programs will be very entertaining.

(i) Multilingual Krishna Bhakti Songs:

Dr. Manoj Salpekar kicked off the program by saying that despite the multitude of languages, religions, traditions in India, people sing Krishna’s bhakti songs in their languages with devotion. The SurSangam group, led by Sachin & Surabhi Dhomne, unleashed a myriad of Krishna songs in multi languages which made viewers to dance to their tunes.

The songs included Achyutam Keshavam, Mara Ghat Man Birajata, Bengali and Assamese Geets by Shriya, Gokulki Har Galimen Mathuraki Har Galimen, Shree Krishna Govind Hare Murari, Mohan Ayo Re (Sindhi), O Kanhaiya Nandlala (Sindhi), Tamil song by Mohan Kumar, Telugu song by Devika, Marathi Geet Dance, Kanha Barsana Mein Aya To Bhulai Gai Radha Pyari (Rajasthan), Punjabi Geet Dance, Krishna Teri Murli Se (Punjab), among others.

Viewers enjoyed the varieties of Krishna bhakti songs and Dr. Salpekar’s anchoring.

(ii) PowerPoint Presentation:

A PowerPoint presentation, prepared by Jyotindrabhai Patel, was displayed showing a batch of co-sponsors.

We appreciated the timely preparation of the 16-page brochure by Mr. Ashwin Patel in India, a friend of Jagdish Patel, VP-PR.

President took this opportunity to thank Pankajbhai, VP, EC members, sponsors, well wishers and members for making the Janmashtami Mahotsav a great success. He requested viewers to join in giving a big shout out for planning and devoting considerable time for the event to Pankajbhai, who in turn thanked team members for sharing responsibilities. Viewers expressed their appreciation for the excellent team work.

(iii) The Dahi Handi Celebration:

The SurSangam group presented an excellent pyramid show of Dahi Handi which was revved unanimously by viewers as exciting and entertaining. EC members and sponsors virtually participated in dancing and in forming a pyramid for Matki Fod with the chanting of Hathi Ghoda Palkhi Jay Kanhaiya Lalki and Govinda Aala Re Aala with the background music of Govind Bolo Hare Gopal Bolo.

Sachin Dhomne showed how the masks were made and Dr. Manoj Salpekar gave an excellent running commentary of the entire episode including the trials and preparation of the event. The description in this report of the celebration is not enough; it has to be viewed in the video placed on YouTube.

Although the SurSangam group has performed several programs for the Center,
Pankajbhai briefed about the group to viewers.

The finale of the Janmashtami Mahotsav concluded with an Aarti by SurSangam.

A Vote of Thanks by Jagdishbhai Patel, VP-PR.

3. The Computer Class:

NO CLASS ON SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 5TH, DUE TO A LONG WEEKEND OF LABOR DAY.

4. The Yoga Class:

NO CLASSES ON TUESDAYS.

Yoga class is going in full swing on Zoom. The next class is on Friday, September 10, 2021.For your queries, please contact her at rdharia78@yahoo.com or by text at 917 435 1890.

ID: 715 3405 1087
Password: 6789

5. 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

6. Future Programs:

Niranjanbhai Parel, Secretary, provided details of future programs.

Please note the ID and Password for the programs (i) through (viii).

ID: 516 607 5252
Password: 5252

(i) BenShri Vijayaben Rajani’s Presentation:

BenShri Vijayaben (Vijuben ) Rajani’s (Mumbai) motivational lecture on “Jivan Ek Kurukshetra” is planned on September 9, 2021 between 10:30am and 12:00pm. Her presentation is arranged through our member Mr. Himatbhai Parekh, Florida.

Thereafter, a musical program by Mrs. Manisha Jain is planned. Her program was recommended by our member Mr. Rajesh Shah and is arranged through our member Mr. Bharatbhai Goradia.

(ii) Jugalbandhi:

Shobhit Desai & Chandrakant Shah’s Jugalbandhi program is planned on Thursday, September 23, 2021 from 10:30am to 12:15pm. We’re thankful to Mr. Sudhirbhai Vaishnav, Executive Director, Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan, for liaising. (photos attached).

(iii) Housie:

The game is planned on Sunday, September 26, 2021 between 2pm and 4pm.

(iv) Mrs. Purnima Desai:

A presentation by Mrs. Purnima Desai, also known as Karuna Reiki Master, a Certified Master REIKI Healer on “REIKI- A Sacred Science”, is planned on Thursday, September 30, 2021 from 10:30am to 12:00pm.

(v) Musical Program:

A musical program by Shrii Gautam, London, is planned on Thursday, October 7, 2021 from 12:00pm to 1:30pm. It is arranged through Bharatbhai Goradia. (photo attached).

(vi) Diwali:

Diwali celebration is planned on Saturday, October 30, 2021. Details to follow.

(vii) Christmas:

Christmas celebration is planned on Saturday, December 18, 2021.
Details to follow.

(viii) Vishnu Sahasranam:

As advised earlier, Dr. Narendra Bhalodkar’s program on Vishnu Sahsranam is on every Monday from 9:45am to 11:45am/12:00pm. His next program will be on Monday, September 6, 2021.

(ix) Bhajan Sandhya:

Spiritual Development Center (Adhyatmik Vikas Kendra) organizes Bhajan Sandhya every Friday from 8:30pm to 10:30pm. For information, pl contact Paragbhai Patel, President, at 646 496 7748.

ID 127 918 441
Password 1975

(x) VTNY SCC/VTNY Women’s Wing:

A bus trip to Vraj and Casino is planned on Sunday, September 5, 2021 (a flyer is attached).

(xi) BSNY:

A Bhajan Sandhya is planned on Sunday, September 12, 2021 between 4pm and 7pm. (a flyer is attached).

(xii) Ganesh Mahotsav:

A 5-day Ganesh Mahotsav is planned from September 15 to 19, 2021. Pl contact Suhagben Mehta at 516 324 5230. (flyers were placed on WhatsApp yesterday).

(xiii) LIGCS:

LIGCS has planned Garba on Saturdays, October 9 & 16, 2021 between 8pm and 11pm. (a flyer is attached).

Please stay healthy.

Mukund Mehta, President
September 4, 2021

718 450 1829 (C)

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