2021 Celebrations of the Center:

Dear Friends:

The following are brief reports of the picnic held on Sunday, August 1 at Eisenhower Park and the Zoom meeting held on Thursday, August 5, 2021. The meeting was anchored by Pankaj Parikh, VP, hosted by Jagdish Patel, VP -PR, and co-hosted by Niranjan Patel, Secretary. Proceedings of the meeting were placed on YouTube. Thanks to all.

Thanks to Bank of Baroda as a Grand Benefactor for Silver Jubilee Celebrations 2021-2022 through Mr. B. Elango, former CEO, U.S. Operations. Also thanks to our member Mr. Ashok Sheth for liaising with the Bank.

1. PICNIC:

After a hiatus of 17 months, our members (350) met in person at a picnic held on Sunday, August 1, 2021, at Eisenhower Park. Upon arrival, jubilant members greeted, mingled and enjoyed delicious breakfast of Fafda, Jalebi, Gota, tea and coffee. President welcomed them and requested Dr. Sarojben Shah, pioneer of the India Unit at Parker Jewish Institute, to introduce Sujata Seth, Public Affairs Associate, who briefed about Parker’s facilities.

Having pumped up enough energy after the breakfast, Drs. Nilesh Soni and Shital Desai took charge and got members engaged in musical chair, foogafod (ફૂગાફોડ) games, light dancing and Garba until they exhausted till the lunch time when they savored Paubhaji. In a relaxed mood, they played Housie game conducted by Pankajbhai Parikh, VP, and lucky winners were seen smiling with handsome prizes. Also smiles were all around as several members won raffle gifts. In the meantime, they had slices of watermelons.

Finally, members lined up for dinner and enjoyed Khichadi, Kadhi and Shakh. After having icecream sticks, they departed praising Mother Nature for a beautiful weather and for not not having to use their umbrellas and ponchos.

Thanks to all those who sponsored and provided several Sevas (list on WhatsApp) for the picnic.

Members applauded Pankajbhai and his wife Varshaben Parikh for successfully organizing the picnic with the help of several volunteers.

2. THE AUGUST 5TH MEETING:

The meeting started with a prayer by Hemantbhai & Bhavnaben Shah.

President welcomed members and urged them to follow the CDC guidelines in view of the fast spreading of the Delta variant. He briefed about today’s programs.

(i) Dr. Sandip Sheth’s Presentation:

President thanked Dr. Lila Shah for suggesting that our Center should arrange a lecture discussing psychiatric issues faced by surviving spouses. He also thanked Drs. Hiralal Patel and Manoj Shah for referring Dr. Sandip Sheth as a speaker for the topic.

Dr. Sheth had his medical studies in Ahemedabad, arrived in the U.S. in 1990, was trained at LIJ Hospital and has been practicing for 25 years. Throughout these years, he has worked closely with elderly patients at various nursing homes and at his two private practice locations in Forest Hills and New Hyde Park.

Dr. Sheth adroitly analyzed the subject which was appreciated by about 350 Zoom viewers (more than 200 logins). He kicked off the discussion by describing normal grief during the first 6-12 months after spouse’s death and its intensity depending on support from relatives and friends, relationships between spouses, sudden versus anticipated death. It’s a period of shock, disbelief, anger, crying, disorder in sleeping and eating, unaware of surroundings, loss of memory, and a feeling of a guilt. In order to ease the grief, he suggested to write down the thoughts that come to mind, positive things done and forgive yourself to ease the pain.

The next stage is the complicated grief if the guilt continues resulting in more anger, feeling good or bad emotions not experienced in the past, strange behavior, continuous rumination about death, losing trust in family members, etc. which could culminate into the onset of depression. This is the time when a treatment is called for before the situation worsens. It’s advisable to socialize, discuss positive as well as negative feelings with others, take care of yourself, follow up with medical appointments, have normal sleep, resume normal duties, share stories with others, listen to family members, and join support groups.

If complicated grief is not treated, major depression sets in resulting in negative thoughts, constant feeling of helplessness, lose interest in life, loss of weight, lack of focus, and develop suicidal thoughts. Contrary to women, generally men don’t cry, build up grief within, and try to handle the grief on their own.

The next phase of integrated grief is the period when the surviving spouse finds new meaning in life by learning financial responsibility, becomes more constructive, develops inner strength and pursues new purpose in life. Pain and grief are less severe if the surviving spouse was aware of financial situation, knew enough health history of the deceased spouse, and got the family support to fulfill wishes.

Caregiver’s depression is common, though not recognized, since a lot of time and energy are devoted in taking care of the ailing spouse which will drain physically and mentally. Caregiver should get medical help and mentally accept that things are not going to change for the deteriorating condition of the spouse.

Dr. Sheth’s down-to-earth talk, sprinkled with discussion about the loss of his father, kept the audience engaged for an hour and a half. He may be contacted at queensnassaupsych@gmail.com or at his Forest Hills office at 718 268 9595 or at New Hyde Park office at 516 216 4108.

(ii) Musical Program:

Meena Trivedy, a versatile singer from London (U.K.) who debuted her performance at the age of four and gives about three programs daily, entertained viewers for an hour and a half with Bollywood’s evergreen songs and Garba.

The program was arranged through our member Mr. Bharatbhai Goradia who has so far brought 21 artists since the inception of the pandemic for the benefit of our seniors. He has introduced artists from the U.S., India and London – no wonder why he is known as a Cultural Ambassador between the U.S. and Abroad. Thanks Bharatbhai for your selfless service.

Bharatbhai celebrated his wedding anniversary in a unique way by committing $10,000 to defray expenses of a costly surgery, as noted below:

NILA and BHARAT. GORADIA. CELEBRATED their marriage anniversary in a unique way . Considering the corona situation all across India ,they paid the entire expenses of performing 1 heart surgery at wadia hospital mumbai through Rotary club of Mumbai Royals
In memory of his mother
NIRMALA ISHWARLAL GORADIA .

Rotary Club acknowledged Bharatbhai’s philanthropy (Certificates attached)

Meenaji’s presentation included songs such as, Aayega Aayega Aanewala, Yaad Kiya Dil Ne Kahan Ho, Ye Raaten Ye Mausam Nadi Ka Kinara, Lag Jaa Gale, Aao Huzoor TumkoSitaron Mein, Ruk Ja Raat Thehsr Ja Re Chanda, Na Jiya Lage Na, HarDil Jo Pyaar Karega, Kisiki Muskurahaton Pe, Beqarar Karke Hamen Yun Na Jaaiye, Bindiya Chamkegi, capping with a Garba Ramzat.

(iii) New Members:

We welcome the following new members:

Harshad & Malti Shah
Dr. Maganlal & Vanita Mistry

(iv) Announcements:

Pankajbhai Parikh, VP, provided details about the Janmashtami Mahotsav starting 8/12 (pl see the updated list of sponsors on WhatsApp), brochure, memberships, and T-shirts.

A Vote of Thanks by Jitendra Zaveri, Jt. Secretary.

3. The Computer Class:

Prof Rajasekhar Vangapaty is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Computer Technology Course for Senior Members
Time: This is a recurring meeting 10:30 am Sunday 8/8/2021 Sunday
Join Zoom Meeting
https://indiahome.zoom.us/j/98114126485?pwd=TW04TThUWnJrUVlyUUxaWWkxckpnZz09

Meeting ID: 981 1412 6485
Passcode: 494838

4. The Yoga Class:

NO CLASSES ON TUESDAYS.

Yoga class is going in full swing on Zoom. The next class is on Friday, August 13, 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 Patel, Secretary, provided details of future programs.

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

ID: 516 607 5252
Password: 5252

(i) Janmashtami Mahotsav:

Janmashtami Mahotsav Celebration is planned for four Thursdays, August 12, 19, 26 and September 2, and four Saturdays August 14, 21, 28 and September 4, 2021. Details already given on WhatsApp.

(ii) Mrs. Purnima Desai:

A presentation by Mrs. Purnima Desai, Certified Master REIKI Healer on REIKI- A Sacred Science, is planned on Thursday, September 30, 2021 from 10:30am to 12:00pm.

(iii) Diwali:

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

(iv) Christmas:

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

(v) 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, August 9, 2021.

(vi) 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

(vii) Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan, USA, has planned two programs (flyers already placed on WhatsApp)

1. Raga Reflections on 8/21/21
2. Shaam & Ghazal on 8/28/21

(viii) VTNY/SCC of VTNY:

A picnic is planned on Saturday , August 7, 2021 from 10am to 6pm.

(ix) IDP USA:

IDP USA has planned 10th India Day Parade on Sunday, August 8, 2021. A flyer was placed on WhatsApp.

(x) GSNY/VTNY/F-BIMA:

A 75th Happy India Independence Day is planned on Sunday, August 15, 2021 from 10am to 1pm (a flyer is attached).

(xi) Music Program:

Parikh Geetmala has planned SurSangam’s musical program on Sunday, August 15, 2021 at 10:30am. (a flyer is attached).

(xii) BSNY:

Brahmin Society of New York has planned a Bhajan Sandhya on Sunday, August 15, 2021 at 5pm. (a flyer is attached).

Please stay healthy.

Mukund Mehta, President
August 7, 2021

718 450 1829 (C)

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