“Aging is not ‘lost youth’ but a new stage of opportunity and strength.”
PRESIDENT’S REPORT # 126 - Mukund Mehta
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
HAPPY NEW YEAR
Dear Friends:
The following is a brief report of the Zoom meeting held on Thursday, November 11, 2021. The meeting was anchored by Mr. Pankaj Parikh, VP, and hosted by Mr. Niranjan Patel, Secretary. Proceedings of the meeting have been placed on YouTube by Mr. Jyotindra 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 Mrs. Illaben Vora.
While welcoming members, President wished them a Happy New Year. Over a period of time, the Center has invited several distinguished speakers covering a variety of informative subjects. Today’s subject of Technology is unique. President quoted Lal Bahadur Shastri’s slogan Jai Jawan Jai Kisan which was further extended by Atal Bihari Vajpayee as Jai Jawan Jai Kisan and Jai Vignan thereby giving importance to Vignan covering the knowledge of Science. Technology is the application of Science.
1 (i) Mr. Hiten Bhuta’s Presentation:
Today’s speaker is Mr. Hiten Bhuta, a renowned expert on technology, who is the founder and CEO of CGS Group which he described as probably number 1 software company with software development centers in India, the USA and the UAE, serving more than 5,000 clients in 40 countries.
His presentation on 5G (G is Generation indicating the internet speed) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) through slides highlighted latest technological innovations portraying a clear view of future, providing valuable effective guidance and opportunities, and the possibility of threats as well.
The fast growing trend of technology provides more tools like mobile phone outpacing radio, telephone and TV, machines overtaking human beings, old jobs and industries replaced by new ones, and revolutionizing the concept of how people think and work.
Mr. Bhuta gave an overview of several new ideas and innovations that will take shape by 2030 and changing views on the importance of family, identity, religion, love, and community.
Mr. Bhuta exhibited a slew of interesting websites covering AI tools which help to develop poems, stories, music, painting, movie scenes, and voice cloning. A listing of tools is attached. The use of voice cloning software could mislead financial institutions’ automated voice-recognition system which poses a great danger. Mr. Bhuta has requested that our viewers can send him an email (hiten@cgsinfotech.com) about such threats that they foresee. He is working on a petition to the Govt. to create regulatory framework to control cloning and deepfakes. In his research on the risks of voice cloning, Mr. Bhuta noticed that voice cloning is already used for financial crimes as shown in the attached article.
The Q&A session was interesting and informative. Viewers gave a thumping applause to Mr. Bhuta for his brilliant presentation. They are encouraged to view his entire presentation placed on YouTube to visualize a clear trend of future.
(ii) Musical Program:
Singer Govind Mishra of Bombay, known for Mukesh voice, entertained viewers for an hour and a half with Bollywood songs and Gujarati Geets.
The program was arranged through our member Mr. Bharatbhai Goradia who has brought 26 artists so far since the onset of the pandemic to entertain seniors. As mentioned earlier, he is a cultural ambassador between India and the U.S. He gets inner joy and happiness when he renders selfless services to our viewers. Moreover, he persuades artists to render services to the Center as Seva with a token charge. Thanks Bharatbhai.
Starting with a melodious song of Jyot Se Jyot Jagate Chalo, Govindji unleashed a series of songs which included Chand Si Mehbooba Ho Meri, Pukarta Chala Hoon Main, Kabhi Kabhi Mere Dil Mein, Beqarar Karte Hamen Yun, Kisi Ki Muskurahaton Pe Ho Nisar, Jo Tumko Ho Pasand Wahi Baat, Maine Tere Liye, Zindagi Khwab Hai, Tari Aankhno Afini, Nayan Ne Bandh Rakhi, Mara Bhola Dil No, Nadi Mile Sagar Mein, Aye Meri Zohra Zabeen, Kya Khoob Lagti Ho, Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo, Jane Kahan Gaye Woh Din, Ek Din Bik Jayega Mati Ke Mol, Jeena Yahan Marna Yahan, among others.
Viewers applauded Govindji’s melodious voice and selection of songs.
(iii) Ms. Vaidehi Jokhakar:
Ms. Vaidehi Jokhakar, the daughter of our members Rajendrabhai & Mayaben, who had given a few presentations at the Center and who is a cofounder of Mind the Gap Initiative, is organizing its first fund raising event to promote community-based programs. Proceeds will directly go to creating mental health programs. Details are attached.
(iv) Dr. Srinivasa Rao:
India Home has started a new nutrition lecture series led by Dr. Srinivasa Rao and other professionals. The sessions are an opportunity for seniors to learn and ask questions to help lead healthy lifestyles. Nutritional talks are held every Monday. Pl contact Mrs. Kavita Shah at India Home via her email kavita@indiahome.org
(v) New Members:
We welcome the following new members:
Ashvin& Manorama Mehta, Suneeta Chavan, Prakash & Shobhana Shah, and Pinakin Shah.
(vi) Announcements:
Pankajbhai Parikh, VP, briefed about memberships. Due to the enthusiastic response to the Gamta No Kariye Gulal program, we may arrange a second program. Those who are interested may get ready for it and await for further announcement.
A Vote of Thanks by Mrs. Illaben Vora.
2. The Computer Class:
NO COMPUTER CLASS ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2021.
3. 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= d1preTlFMng5NXBQdFlKVjVqenh5Zz 09 Meeting ID: 728 015 4731
Passcode: 2007
4. Future Programs:
Niranjan 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) Mr. Dev Gohel’s Presentation:
Mr. Dev Gohel’s presentation on Medicare Changes 2022 and Open Enrollment period is planned on Thursday, November 18, 2021 from 10:30am to 12:00 pm.
Thereafter, a musical program by Singer Priyanka Rajput from Baroda will follow. The program is arranged through Mrs. Suhagben Mehta.
(ii) Bhajan Sandhya:
A Bhajan Sandhya by the Adhyatmik Vikas Kendra (Spiritual Development Center) Group is planned on Thursday, December 2, 2021 from 12:00pm to 1:45pm.
(iii) Musical Program:
A musical program by Singer Pranita Deshpande is planned on Thursday, December 16, 2021 from 12:00pm to 1:30pm. The program is arranged through Mr. Hemant Shah.
(iv) Christmas:
Christmas celebration is planned on Saturday, December 18, 2021.
Details to follow.
(v) Vishnu Sahasranam:
Dr. Narendra Bhalodkar’s program on Vishnu Sahsranam and Diwali Utsav is planned on Monday, November 15, 2021 from 9:40am to 12:00pm.
(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) GSNY:
GSNY has planned a Diwali celebration on Saturday, November 13, 2021 from 5:30pm onwards (a flyer is attached).
(viii) LIGCS:
LIGCS has planned a Diwali celebration on Sunday, November 14, 2021 from 5pm to 8pm. (a flyer is attached).
(ix) Diwali Dinner:
A Diwali Dinner with a program by literary scholars is planned by Gujarati Literary Academy of North America on November 14, 2021. (a flyer is attached).
(x) 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).
(xi) BSNY:
Brahmin Society of New York has organized a Bhajan Sandhya on Saturday, November 20, 2021 at 5pm. (a flyer is attached).
(xii) Parikh Geetmala:
Parikh Geetmala has organized a musical program on Sunday, November 21, 2021 at 10am. ( a flyer is attached).
(xiii)VTNY SCC:
VTNY SCC has organized a Holiday Banquet on Sunday, December 12, 2021 at 4pm at GSNY. (a flyer is attached).
(xiv) Jain Senior Group:
Jain Senior Group has planned 2022 Happy New Hear program on Sunday, December 26, 2021 at 6pm. (a flyer is attached).
Please stay healthy.