2021 Celebrations of the Center:

Dear Friends:

The following is a brief report of the Zoom meeting held on Thursday, September 23, 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 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.

The meeting started with a prayer by Mr. & Mrs. Shirish & Kanan Patrawala.

President welcomed members and requested them to join in paying a tribute to the departed soul of our member Mrs. Rajniben Thakkar who passed away. Our condolences and sympathies to the family. May God rest her soul in peace. Condolence messages may be sent at 646 645 1760.

(i) The Jugalbandhi Program:

The legendary pair of Shobhit Desai and Chandrakant Shah (profiles attached) entertained viewers for an hour and 45 minutes with a bevy of poems, ghazals and anecdotes. Shobhit Desai, an ardent fan of Pujya Morari Bapu, and having more than four thousand shows under his belt, kicked off by clarifying that poems, as evinced by Mirza Ghalib, Ramesh Parekh and several poets, should not be taken seriously since they are interwoven with the day to day routine surrounding life events. Chandrakant Shah echoed similar viewpoints by citing ghazals and poems by Manoj Khanderia.

Shobhit Desai cited Mirza’s ghazals જીવન ભરના તોફાન and જીવન કે મરણ હો. Thereafter, he recited his poem which was inspired by the pandemic lockdown when animals started roaming around freely on roads which they had previously shunned and when there was a lull in human activity as all were home prisoners. He narrated an interesting story of humorist writer Jyotindra Dave, a dialogue with a native Surti, and described different versions of બટાકા છોલતી love poem by Narsinh Mehta, Kalapi and poets Nanalal and Manoj Khanderia. Thereafter, he introduced Chandrakant Shah while reciting Manhar Modi’s શેર – કાલ વધારે સુંદર લાગે, આજે એવું કરવું.

Chandrakant Shah’s innovative and well known subject of Blue Jean and its genealogy epitomize human genealogy, that is, – what is born must shrink, wrinkle and ultimately fade. He has written several poems on Blue Jean and in his unique style recited today one interwoven with the life of Becharbhai Patel where the similarity was striking. His poems on Blue Jean depict his boundless imagination sprinkled with humor and psychology.

The pair’s interesting dialogue and their recital of poems, ghazals and Geets enthralled viewers.

Our member Rajesh (Rupaben) Shah and Shobhit Desai reminisced their good old college days of Bombay.

(ii) Musical Program:

Mrs. Suhag Mehta, who brings talented singers for the entertainment of our seniors, introduced today Trupti Shah from Baroda who recited evergreen Bollywood songs and lokgeets from S. V. Band studio with impressive chroma backgrounds. Thanks Suhagben for arranging programs.

Suhag Mehta, a recipient of the well known Kashi award for best national event organizer in the U.S., U.K., and India, recently organized an impressive and successful 4th Ganesh Utsav in New York embedded with a variety of programs. She is the pioneer of the festival.

Trupti Shah kicked off her program with Ganesh Vandana of Vakratunday Mahakaya followed by a string of songs including Yeh Sama Sama Hai Ye Pyar Ka, Babuji Dheere Chalna, Chura Liya Hai Tumne, Chelaji Re Patan Thi Patola, Hum Safar Mere Hum Safar, Tune O Rangeele Kaisa Jaadu Kiya, Dum Maro Dum, Yeh Mera Dil Pyar Ka Deewana, Pan Lilu Joyun Ne Tame Yaad Aavya, Ajeeb Dastan Hai Yeh, Kajra Mohabbat Wala, followed by a Garba Ramzat.

Viewers applauded Trupti Shah’s melodious voice and selection of songs.

(iii) Contributions:

We thank an anonymous member-couple who, impressed by today’s event, sponsored the program by contributing $251.

(iv) Announcements:

Pankajbhai Parikh, VP, briefed on 9/26 Housie, 10/9 Navratri and 10/30Diwali celebration online, distribution of Jalebi Fafda on Dussehra and membership information.

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

2. Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan’s Journals:

We thank Mr. Sudhirbhai Vaishnav, Executive Director, who has sent the following Bhavans Journal link for useful reading:

http://bj.bhavans.info/

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 Sept 26, 2021 – Computer Class login credentials
Join Zoom Meeting
https://indiahome.zoom.us/j/98114126485?pwd=d09jZDZJYXp3R2RTZjhDbGt1clYrZz09

Meeting ID: 981 1412 6485
Passcode: 545839

4. 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

5. The Yoga Class:

The Yoga classes have been discontinued.

6. Future Programs:

Niranjan Patel, 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) Housie:

The games are planned on Sundays, September 26, and October 24, 2021 between 2pm and 4pm.

(ii) (a) 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.

(b) Mr. Milan Trivedi:

A comedy program by Mr. Milan Trivedi is planned from 12:00pm to 1:30pm. (It is arranged through Mr. Bharatbhai Goradia).

(iii) (a) Dr. Hasit Thakore:

Dr. Hasit Thakore’s presentation on Virus, Vaccines, Variants, and the role of Booster on Thursday, October 7, 2021 from 10:30am to 12:00pm.

(b) Musical Program:

A musical program by Shrii Gautam, London, is planned from 12:00pm to 1:30pm. (It is arranged through Mr. Bharatbhai Goradia).

(iv) Navratri:

Navratri celebration on Zoom is planned on Saturday, October 9, 2021 between 10:30am and 2:00pm. Details to follow.

(v) Musical Program:

A musical program by Mr. Mahendra Solanki from Baroda is planned on Thursday, October 14, 2021 from 12:00pm to 1:30pm. (It is arranged through Mrs. Suhagben Mehta).

(vi) Diwali:

Diwali celebration on Zoom 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 is on Monday, September 27, 2021 from 9:45am to 11:00am.

(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) Scientific and Research based Benefits:

A presentation to live healthy life is planned on Saturday, September 25, 2021 from 5:30pm to 7:00pm. (a flyer is attached).

(xi) Gujarati Literary Society of USA:

The organization has planned સંભવામિ યુગે..યુગે.. by Dr. Bhadrayu Vachhrajani on September 25, 2021 at 9:00pm. (a flyer is attached).

(xii) Musical Program:

Parikh Geetmala has planned a musical program on Sunday, September 26, 2021 at 10:30am. (a flyer is 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 25, 2021

718 450 1829 (C)

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