2021 Celebrations of the Center:

Dear Friends:

The following are brief reports of the Zoom meetings held on Thursday, September 9 and Saturday, September 11, 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 meeting will be 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 9TH MEETING:

The meeting started with a prayer by Mr. & Mrs. Gautambhai & Chhayaben Shroff.

While welcoming members, President recounted the busy schedule of the Janmashtami Mahotsav up until the last weekend and returning to the normal weekly Thursday meetings covering smorgasbord of subjects in the next few weeks. He assured viewers of the amazing presentation by today’s speaker Pujya Benshree Vijuben Rajani who was recommended to our Center by our member Mr. Himatbhai Parekh of Florida. Thanks to Himatbhai.

(i) Pujya Benshree’s Presentation:

Pujya Benshree Vijuben Rajani, 82, a renowned and versatile religious, spiritual and motivational speaker from Mumbai (profile attached), introduced by Mr. Himatbhai Parekh, has lectured in numerous countries over the last 46 years.

Starting with a Shloka, and explaining today’s topic of જીવન એક કુરુક્ષેત્ર, Benshree reminded viewers that one gets the birth of a human after going through eighty four lakhs yonis. Describing the essence of the કર્મક્ષેત્ર and ધર્મક્ષેત્ર, she stressed on ધર્મકામ to get the birth of a human in the next life and it is up to a person whose deeds make him either a બંધુ or શત્રુ. Analyzing the meaning of કુરુક્ષેત્ર, she said કુરુ means કરતા રહેવું – do your work – which is done by all beings – humans, birds, animals except that only humans can think of ધર્મ.

Benshree advised that Deep Pragatya should be done by young children (representing innocence) and elderly people (representing reservoir of experience). She maintained that the three people who knew, saw and experienced Krishna were Vyasji, Kunta and Bhishm. She advised to get rid of the ધૃતરાષ્ટ્ર વૃત્તિ as well as કામ, ક્રોધ, મદ, મોહ અને અહંકાર and suggested elderly people over 70’s and 80’s to abandon કુરુ routines, આગ્રહ, વિગ્રહ અને સંઘર્ષ and to follow the path of ધર્મ.

All Kauravas who followed the ધૃતરાષ્ટ્ર વૃત્તિ were destroyed in the epic battle of કુરુક્ષેત્ર while five Pandavas survived who followed the ઘર્મવૃત્તિ. Benshree advised to stay away from people who have the characteristics of Dhritraashtra, Duryodhan, Dushasan, Dron, Kripacharya, Bhishma, Karna, Drupad, and Shakuni.

Please refer to the following link for Pujya Benshree Vijuben’s Jeevan Sandesh – Daily morning audio clip world wide:

https://t.me/JEEVANSANDESHBENSHREE

Viewers revved Benshree’s intellectual presentation.

(ii) Musical Program:

Mrs. Manisha Jain, versatile singer, (profile attached), introduced by our member Bharatbhai Goradia, entertained viewers for about an hour and a half, along with Dr. Tushar Patel.

A few months back, our member Rajesh Shah happened to attend a musical program where he was impressed by the melodious voice of Manisha Ji and recommended her name to the Center. Coincidentally, without knowing of Rajeshbhai’s recommendation, Bharatbhai Goradia happened to arrange her program. Thanks to both of them.

Bharatbhai Goradia, a cultural ambassador between the U.S. and India, has been bringing famous artists to the Center to provide entertainment to seniors ever since the pandemic started. Today’s program was his 22nd. We appreciate and thank him for the selfless services provided to elders.

Manisha ji started the program with a beautiful bhajan Kanha, Kanha Aan Padi Mein Tere Dwar. Thereafter, the singers had a nice selection of songs including Tumhin Meri Mandir, Radhika Gori Se Biraj Ki Chori Se, Bindiya Chamkegi, Yasomati Maiya Se Bole Nandlala, Aao Hazur Tumhko Sitaron Me, Yeh Hai Reshmi Zulfon Ka Andhera, Bahut Pyar Karte Hain, Tere Mere Beech Mein Kaisa Hai Ye Bandhan, Piya Ka Ghar Pyara Lage, Dil Deewana Bin Sajna Ke Maane Na Ye Pagla Hai, capped with Garba Ramzat.

Viewers applauded the duo’s melodious voice.

(iii) Announcements:

Happy Birthday to Varshaben Parikh. Jyotindrabhai Patel displayed her slides.

Pankajbhai briefed about placing of the Janmashtami programs on YouTube, membership, Housie on 9/26th, and appeal to younger members to join.

Jitubhai Zaveri detailed future programs.

A Vote of Thanks by Gautambhai Shroff.

2. THE SEPTEMBER 11TH MEETING:

GANPATI BAPPA MORYA

The meeting started with a prayer by Mr. & Mrs. Kulinbhai & Radhikaben Parikh.

President welcomed viewers and briefed about today’s musical program of ગણેશ ચતુર્થી and સંવત્સરી which happened to be arranged at the eleventh hour. Commemorating the 20th anniversary of the 9/11, he requested them to join in observing a moment of silence to pay tribute to the departed souls.

(i) Musical Program:

Bhavya Vora’s musical group from Baroda, which had toured U.S. and foreign countries several times, entertained viewers with a range of bhajans, Bollywood songs, stavans and Garba Ramzat. Starting with Ganesh Vandana of Vakratunda Mahakaya and Navkar Mantra Hey Nyara, the ensemble unleashed a series of melodious notes including Om Gan Ganapataye Namo Namah Shree Siddhivinayak Namo Namah, Deva O Deva Ganpati Deva, Jain Stavan Meva Male Ke Na Male, Achyutam Keshavam, Ganpati Ki Nikli Savari, Pratham Pahela Samariye Re Swami Tamne Sundhala, Kabhi Ram Banke, Nagar Mein Jogi Aaya, Nache Ganesh Ane Nache Hanuman, Gan Nayak Ek Dantay, Tu Mane Bhagwan Ek Vardan Aapi De, Shirdiwale Saibaba Aaya He Tere, followed by a Garba Ramzat.

Viewers applauded singers for the medley of Ganesh songs and Jain Stavans.

The program concluded with Aarti.

(ii) Announcements:

(a) Thanks to Mr. & Mrs. Bhavesh & Krishna Patel for their contribution of $251 for the Janmashtami Mahotsav.

(b) Mukund Mehta briefed about the formation of FOGAUSA – Federation of Gujarati Associations of USA, an umbrella organization for the Gujarati associations in the U.S. The purpose is to provide a platform of one United voice of Gujaratis living in the U.S. FOGAUSA will plan and execute activities that promote the interests of the Gujarati American community. IASCCOFNY, like numerous Gujarati associations in the U.S. will become a member of FOGAUSA.

Mukund Mehta narrated to viewers his observations at the recent FOGAUSA meeting where several Gujarati associations described their contributions to our motherland India by promoting activities of food distribution to school children, development of Kanyashala, supply of medical equipments to hospitals, etc. He suggested that IASCCOFNY should contribute on a regular basis some sort of contribution to our motherland.

(c) Suhagben Mehta, President, provided details of the 5-day 4th year biggest Ganesh Utsav starting 9/15/21 and invited viewers to attend and get blessings of Lord Ganesh.

(d) Pankajbhai Parikh, VP, briefed about the online celebration of Navratri, possibility of in-person of the Diwali and Christmas programs, and inviting young volunteers to join the Center.

(iii) PowerPoint Presentation:

The program was sponsored by Vijaybhai & Chhayaben Mehta and co-sponsored by Dineshbhai & Kailasben Shah who were introduced by Pankajbhai Parikh. A PowerPoint presentation, prepared by Jyotindrabhai Patel, of sponsors and their families was displayed. Viewers wished Happy Birthday to Vijaybhai and Dinesbhai and the musical group sang a Happy Birthday song. The sponsors thanked viewers.

(iv) New Member:

We welcome Jyotiben & Kantibhai Dave as new member.

A Vote of Thanks by Kulinbhai Parikh.

3. The Computer Class:

No computer class on Sunday, 9/12/21 as class participants may be joining India Home’s picnic.

4. The Yoga Class:

NO CLASSES ON TUESDAYS.

Yoga class is going in full swing on Zoom. The next class is on Friday, September 17, 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) Mr. R. D. Patel’s Presentation:

Mr. R. D. Patel, Psychotherapist, has planned a presentation on “સંતુષ્ટ કેવી રીતે થવાય? – what is it to be contented?” on Thursday, September 16, 2021 from 10:30am to 12:00pm.

(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.

(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.

(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:

Dr. Narendra Bhalodkar’s program on Vishnu Sahsranam and Ganesh Utsav is on Monday from 9:40am to 1:00pm on Monday, September 13, 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) Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan:

Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan has planned two programs (a) Yoga class on Saturday and Sunday, September 11 & 12. Details on Bhavan’s Facebook page, and (b) Raaga Vibrations on YouTube on 9/11/21 at 4pm and 9/12/21 at 6pm. (flyers 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 attached).

(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 11, 2021

718 450 1829 (C)