2021 Celebrations of the Center:

                                  (This is my last Report as President)

 

                             HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR

Dear Friends:

The following is my last brief report of the Zoom meeting held on Thursday, December 30, 2021. The meeting was anchored by Mr. Pankaj Parikh, VP, and hosted by Mr. Niranjan Patel, Secretary. Proceedings of the meeting were placed on YouTube by Mr. Jagdish Patel, VP-PR.  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. Suhagben Mehta.

 

While welcoming members at the last weekly meeting of the year 2021, President wished them Happy Holidays and Best Wishes for the New Year 2022. Incidentally, today’s meeting happens to be my last meeting as President as I had announced earlier that I will be stepping down as President and as an EC member at the end of 2021.

 

1. (i) Ms. Preetyben Senguta’s Presentation:

 

President welcomed today’s speaker Mrs. Preetyben Sengupta (profile attached), a globetrotter who has traveled around the world at least 15 times spanning all seven continents, and had addressed our viewers about six months ago on her experiences to a few countries including South Africa. Her presentation today was about her adventurous journey to the Magnetic North Pole (distinguished from the Geographical North Pole).

 

It was amazing that Preetyben, a Gujarati lady venturing a treacherous journey of almost two weeks about 25 years ago, qualified as a first Indian person to visit the Magnetic North Pole and brought pride to all Indians by hanging India’s flag there as a permanent fixture thousands of miles away from the motherland. On her return to India, she was bestowed with countless number of awards, honors and recognitions, was featured in national television, radio and newspapers and was showered with an honor at an official dinner at Jaipur House.

 

Prompted by the unique journey, she wrote three books, White Days White Nights, ઉત્તરથી ઉત્તર (farthest North), and a book published by National Trust Book of India for young adults aged 9 to 13 years which was translated in eight to ten languages.

 

Though it was extremely difficult to capture photos due to frozen fingers by the freezing cold temperature hovering between -30F to – 60F, she nevertheless managed to snap some scenes and exhibited to our Zoom viewers a string of interesting photos of a small town Resolute located at Canadian northwest territory, its tribal Inuit people, frozen sea, husky dogs, sleighs, local boys, church, horses, tents, igloos, sleeping bags, among others.

 

Her મહાયાત્રા along with other four male tourists from Germany, Switzerland, Ireland and Hongkong to a frozen white North Pole located in the middle of the Arctic Ocean (in contrast to South Pole in Antarctica surrounded by an ocean) where vessels can navigate only in July/August, whether permitting, was mesmerizing. During her philosophical expedition and meditative experience of North Pole, she forgot for the time being her સંસાર, never got bored by eight-to-nine hours of daily sleigh rides, but instead relished the beauty of the absolute white serene surroundings and tranquility.

 

Far away from the motherland, Preetyben carried roses for પૂજા of Lord Ganesh whose blessings were helpful to finish the arduous journey to North Pole successfully. She capped her presentation by singing a beautiful poem ચિર પ્રેમ – everlasting love.

 

Her spellbinding 80-minute presentation kept about 200 Zoom viewers (120 logins) glued to their seats. They applauded and revved her courageous expedition.

 

(ii) Musical Program:

 

Singer Sunil Solanki from Baroda entertained viewers for about an hour and a half with Bollywood songs, Gujarati Geets and Garba. Our member Suhagben Mehta had arranged the program. She introduced the singer.

 

Suhagben Mehta, the recipient of the famous Kashi award for best national event organizer in the U.S., U.K., and India, had introduced to our Center several talented artists in the past. Thanks Suhagben. She is the President of SAWAO and Founder President of the Ganesh Mahotsav in New York. She has been engaged in a number of social activities.

 

Sunil Ji sang a varieties of songs including Ek Haseen Sham Ko Dil Mera Kho Gaya, Ek Ajnabee Haseena Se Mulakat Ho Gayi, K Din Bik Jayega Mati Ke Mol, Kaun Hey Jo Sapno Men Aaya, Kuchh Na Kaho, Mere Mehboob Qayamat Hogi, Ye Dil No Hota Bechara, Nayan Ne Bandh Rakhi Ne, Dard E Dil, Kisi Se Pyar Ho Jaye, capping with a Garba Ramzat.

 

Viewers applauded Sunil Ji for his melodious voice and the selection of songs.

 

(iii) President’s Thanks:

 

Mukund Mehta thanked members, EC members, sponsors, supporters, volunteers and Zoom viewers for their cooperation and candid support during his presidency of six years. He attributed the progress of the Center to them and the milestones which were described in his recent WhatsApp message wouldn’t have been achieved without their active participation.

 

He briefly discussed the procedure for the voting next week to finalize the new Executive Committee (EC) starting 2022 and the selection of a new President by the EC members. He requested viewers to visit the website of IASCCOFNY (www.iasccofny.org) and to offer their comments and suggestions. The website is designed by Prof Raj.

 

He wished all the best to the next President and his EC members. He was confident that they will enhance the progress of IASCCOFNY and take it to a new height with the full cooperation from all of us.

 

(iv) New Members:

 

We welcome the following new members:

 

 

(v) Birthdays:

 

Happy Birthdays to Arvindbhai Dharia, Jitubhai Zaveri, Ranjanben Patel and R.P.Shah.

 

(vi) Contributions:

 

We thank the following members for their generous contributions:

 

Rajni & Induben Udeshi           $350

Jitubhai Zaveri                              151

 

 

(vii) Announcements:

 

(a) Pankajbhai Parikh, VP, hoped that we will have in-person meetings once the Omicron situation calms down, organize a three-day conference and enjoy a cruise to Alaska in 2022.

 

(b) Niranjanbhai Patel, Secretary, reported that 71 rooms for the cruise have been booked so far.

 

(c) Nareshbhai Shah, EC member, had requested members to advise him information so as to update membership data. Many members have not updated their information, particularly change of address, phone number, dates of birthdays and weddings. Dates should be in the order of month, date, and year. If members have any questions, he may be contacted at email smitanareshshah@yahoo.com and phone number 646 382 7744.

 

A Vote of Thanks by Mr. Hemant Pandit.

 

(viii) Prof Raj’s Charity Project:

Prof Raj, who conducts Sunday computer classes teaching computer skills to IASCCOFNY members, has been actively engaged in a project of improving the quality of education in Indian Government Schools and empowering the underprivileged and economically underserved women. The email of Empowerment Skills International Inc. and it’s charity work and new initiatives is attached.

Empowerment of Girls and Women in India

Dear member,

 I am humbled to receive your appreciation for my charity work I do to improve the quality of education in Indian Government Schools and empowering the underprivileged and economically underserved women.  As you know there are so many challenges this community goes through day after day, personally, financially,  socially, physically, academically!

 It has been proven since the last 7 years we have seen wonderful outcomes of our model.  Thousands of students have benefited so far.  We are confident that our effort will definitely help more students in getting the quality education from the government school through our programs particularly providing Education, Quality Education, by Encouraging, Engaging, Educating and Empowering these students.

Attached please find a brief note about Empowerment Skills International Inc. and its charity work  and new initiatives

You can multiply/double the power of your donation using corporation matching programs. If  you know any organization which matches your donation and makes it double, please do so and I can provide necessary organization’s information.

Your generous donation checks may be sent  payable to “Empowerment Skills International” (without getting any matching )

If you are comfortable to get matching fund for your generous donation you may send your check payable to “Rajasekhar Vangapaty” and I will get it matched and your donation gains double power to help the community

Mailing Address:

Empowerment Skills International, 64, Jester Lane, Levittown, NY11756

Wish you a Happy, Prosperous, Healthy and Wonderful Deepavali!

Best regards!

Prof Rajasekhar

President
Empowerment Sills International

Members are requested to support the project to ameliorate the future of girls and women in India.

2. The Computer Class: