“Aging is not ‘lost youth’ but a new stage of opportunity and strength.”
PRESIDENT’S REPORT # 121 - Mukund Mehta
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Dear Friends:
The following is a brief report of the Zoom meeting held on Thursday, October 14, 2021. The meeting was anchored by Mr. Pankaj Parikh, VP, and hosted by Mr. Jagdish Patel, VP-PR and co-hosted by Mr. Niranjan Patel, Secretary. Proceedings of the meeting were placed on YouTube by Mr. Jagdish Patel. 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. Parashar & Nita Sheth.
While welcoming members, President referred to the previous Thursday meeting when Navratri started and today’s Thursday meeting marked the end of Navratri and hoped all enjoyed Dandiya Raas during the eight days. He introduced Mr. Neel Shah, Esq. (profile attached).
1 (i) ATTORNEY Mr. NEEL SHAH’S PRESENTATION:
Mr. Neel Shah, Esq., kicked off acknowledging respects to his relatives who are our members Mr. & Mrs. Ashokbhai & Kusumben Gandhi and displaying his family photos. To inculcate in the minds of viewers his role as an adviser, he showed photos of a mountaineer (meaning clients) and Sherpa (helper, i.e., adviser) and Ram & Sita (clients ) and Hanuman (helper – adviser). To get a comprehensive advice, he emphasized the importance of an adviser like him who blends his specialties in tax planning as well as financial planning vis-a’-vis an adviser who specializes in only one of them. His specialties include wills & trusts, tax planning, long term care, retirement planning and investment planning.
Mr. Shah briefed about wills, trusts (revocable and irrevocable), the role of executors, long term care, insurance, Medicare and Medicaid, and the 5-year look back period. He opined that it is comparatively easy to update trusts than wills.
Regarding tax planning, Mr. Shah advised to keep in mind proposed tax changes including required minimum distribution currently starting at age 72 (previously 70 1/2), benefits of treating donations as qualified charitable distributions (QCD), partial conversions of traditional IRA into Roth IRA, inherited IRAs, 529 education plans, $15,000 annual gifts per person, estate tax exemption limits (Federal $11.7 million, NYS about $6 million), tax brackets, and capital gain/loss harvesting.
For investment planning, Mr. Shah advised to remain abreast of factors such as inflation, monetary policy changes, healthcare costs, interest rates, inflation, and emotional issues.
Interesting Q&A session followed. Viewers applauded Mr. Shah’s breadth and depth of knowledge in tax and financial planning. Mr. Shah was gracious enough in offering a 15-minute free phone consultations to viewers. He also offered to provide his updates on tax and finance matters. He may be contacted at nshah@lawesq.net, or at 732-521-9455.
CLICK HERE FOR WEBSITES:
Legal Planning | Financial Planning | Integrated Planning | Video Library
(ii) Musical Program:
Mr. Mahendra Solanki, a versatile singer from Baroda who has toured 20 times to the U.S., and who has a golden voice of legendary singer Kishore Kumar, entertained viewers for an hour and a half with Bollywood songs and Gujarati Geets. The program was arranged through Mrs. Suhagben Mehta who introduced Mr. Solanki.
Suhagben, a recipient of the well known Kashi award for best national event organizer in the U.S., U.K., and India, and President of SAWAO and Founder President of the Ganesh Mahotsav, brings talented artists to IASCCOFNY to entertain seniors. Thanks Suhagben.
Starting with Mataji’s Stuti of Vishvambhari, Mr. Solanki unleashed a variety of songs, ghazals and Gujarati Geets including Aa Chal Ke Tuzhe Main Leke Chaloon, Musafir Hoon Yaron Na Ghar Hai, Aane Wala Pal Jane Wala Hai, Roop Tera Mastana, Chale Jata Hoon Kisiki Dhoon mein, Kahena Hai Kahena Hai, Yeh Jo Mohabbat Hai, Nadiya Se Dariya, Nayan Ne Bandh Rakhi Ne, Tari Aankh No Afini, Zindagi Ka Safar Hai Yeh Kaisa Safar, Zindagi Ke Safar Mein Guzar Jaate Hain, Manzilen Apni Jagah, O Majhi Re Apna Kinara, Mere Naina Sawan Bhadon, Chingari Koi Bhadke, Main Shayar Badnaam, Nakharewali, O Hansini Meri Hansini, Arey Deewano Muzhe Pehchano, Mit Jayenge Mar Jayenge, Jahan Teri Nazar Hai, Chalte Chalte Mere Ye Geet Yaad Rakhna, and more.
Viewers gave kudos to Mr. Solanki for his melodious voice and selection of evergreen songs.
(iii) Marathon Runner:
Congratulations to Tejal, the daughter of our members Madhubhai & Hansaben Parikh of Parikh Geetmala, Fl, for successfully finishing a 26-mile Boston marathon on Monday. Joy of success is apparent on the beaming face of Tejal in the attached picture.
(iv) Announcements:
Pankajbhai Parikh, VP., briefed about Fafda/Jalebi requests from more than 535 members (final count 555) and 15 sponsors covering 50% cost, bags donated by Dr. Sheetal Desai, Housie on 10/24th, membership forms, and Diwali celebration on Zoom on 10/30th.
A Vote of Thanks by Mrs. Nita Sheth.
- The Computer Class:
A message from Prof Raj:
Hope you are well and enjoying Dasara festivities!
I am not sure in our last class we did decide to have a class on this Sunday or not. But, I am scheduling the session for October 17. In the last class If we did decide not to have a class on October 17, please let me know so that we cancel the October 17 class.
Best,
Rajasekhar
Prof Rajasekhar Vangapaty is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Computer Technology Course for Senior Members
Time: This is a recurring meeting October 17, 2021 at 1:00 pm
Join Zoom Meeting
https://indiahome.zoom.us/j/98114126485?pwd=dzZUZHM0VEhhZ1NKTHNBRzFmMHNWQT09
Meeting ID: 981 1412 6485
Passcode: 663832
- 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
- The Yoga Class:
The Yoga classes have been discontinued.
- Future Programs:
Niranjan Patel, Secretary, provided details of future programs.
Please note the ID and Password for the programs (i) through (iv).
ID: 516 607 5252
Password: 5252
(i) The Housie Game:
The game is scheduled on Sunday, October 24, 2021 from 2pm to 4pm.
(ii) Diwali:
A Diwali musical orchestra program by Kavita Murty, Mumbai, is planned on Zoom on Saturday, October 30, 2021 from 11:15am to 2:15pm. (It is arranged through Mr. Hemantbhai Shah).
(iii) Christmas:
Christmas celebration is planned on Saturday, December 18, 2021.
Details to follow.
(iv) Vishnu Sahasranam:
Dr. Narendra Bhalodkar’s program on Vishnu Sahsranam and Damodar Lila is planned on Monday, October 18, 2021 from 10:00am – 12:15pm.
(v) 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
(vi) LIGCS:
LIGCS has planned Raas Garba on Saturday, October 16, 2021 from 8pm to 11pm. (a flyer is attached).
(vii) Parikh Geetmala:
Parikh Geetmala has planned Gujarati songs and Garba Ramzat on Sunday October 17, 2021 from 10:30am. (a flyer is attached).
(viii) VTNY:
VTNY has planned Sharadpurnima Raasotsav on Sunday, October 17, 2021 from 6:30pm to 10:00pm.(a flyer is attached).
(ix) GSNY:
GSNY has planned Sharad Punam Raas Garba on Tuesday, October 19, 2021 from 7pm to 10pm. (a flyer is attached).
(x) SAWAO:
South Asian Women’s Activities Org. has planned a Garba night at Shiv Shakti Peeth on Friday, October 22, 2021 from 7pm to 10pm. (a flyer is attached).
(xi) BSNY:
Brahmin Society of New York has organized musical program and comedy on Saturday, October 23, 2021 from 12pm to 4pm. (a flyer is attached).
(xii) GLA OF N.A.
Gujarati Literary Academy of North America has planned Arvachin Gujarati Kavya Sanpada on Sunday, October 24, 2021 at 11am. (a flyer is attached).
(xiii) Jain Senior Group:
JSG has planned Diwali function on Sunday, October 31, 2021 from 6pm. (a flyer is attached).
(xiv) FISANA:
Annual Diwali gala dinner and musical concert by Federation of Indo-American Seniors Association of North America (FISANA) is organized on November 17, 2021 from 5pm to 11pm. (a flyer is attached).
Please stay healthy.
Mukund Mehta, President
October 16, 2021
718 450 1829 (C)
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