2022 Celebrations of the Center:

       PRESIDENT’S  REPORTS

 

                                                   HAPPY MAKAR SANKRANTI 

                                        

                                                       

Dear Friends:

The following are brief reports of the Zoom meetings held on Thursday, January 13 and Saturday, January 15, 2022. The meetings were anchored by Mr. Pankaj Parikh, VP, and hosted by Mr. Niranjan Patel, Secretary. A PowerPoint presentation was prepared by Jyotindrabhai Patel, Past President of GSNY. Proceedings of the meetings 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 Mr. Ashok Sheth, VP – Finance, for liaising with the Bank. 

A. THE JANUARY 13TH MEETING: 

 

The meeting started with a prayer by Priya & Ashok Sheth. 

 

1. (i) Mr. Rahul Shukla’s Presentation:

 

While welcoming Zoom viewers, President briefed about today’s speaker Mr. Rahul Shukla, a self-motivated visionary and relentless inventor of flexible shaft technology, who joined at the entry level at an 1844-established world renowned S. S. White company and catapulted to the highest position of CEO & President. Due to his passion, initiative, courage and creativity, he is successful in establishing manufacturing plants in the U.S., U.K., and his parent’s native place Wadhwan in the district of Surendranagar, India. 

 

Our member Mr. Himatbhai Parekh, FL  recommended to us to invite Mr. Shukla as a speaker in our meeting. He introduced Mr. Shukla (profile attached). 

 

Mr. Shukla narrated a story of his life which was full of struggles and challenges and how he navigated through his tireless work, vision and positive attitude. In his humorous style, he discussed basic principles for a successful life. For evaluating a person whether he is a સજ્જન or દુર્જન, he aptly illustrated a story of Bhishma Pitamah, Duryodhan and Yudhishthir with the message that one should try to focus on a person’s good deeds instead of looking for his weaknesses and faults. 

 

Following in the footsteps of his late learned father Shri Bhanubhai Shukla who was a journalist, author, poet, painter, farmer, lawyer and editor of a weekly newspaper સમય, Rahulbhai cultivated interest in story writing, photography, drama, debates and has three books under his belt. His message is that a person’s life should be full of passion and enthusiasm and that he can be successful if he puts his heart into work. That’s what he did and as a result 50% of cars and 95% of aerospace industries use his flexible shifts, and his company is a pioneer for instruments used in orthopedic implants.

 

Rahulbhai attributed his success to his optimistic attitude which catapulted him from being a security guard, driver, waiter to the apex level in a renowned corporation. It was amazing how a person with a bank balance of $6,000 but laced with optimism and perseverance could obtain a six million dollar financing from a bank to achieve a control of an 1844-established corporation which was shuttering down in 1988. He attributed the achievement 50% to his tireless efforts and 50% to ઉપકાર of well wishers. 

 

Fed up with the cold weather and high state income tax of 9%, he shifted his factory in 2018 from New Jersey to sunny Florida using 40 trucks to transfer equipments. 

 

Rahulbhai, 74, is blessed with his beautiful wife Meenaben, son Aakash, engineer, daughter-in-law Radha, and grandson Arjun. For a happy marriage life, his advice is to shower praise on the spouse frequently. He strongly believes that to err is human but mistakes groom a person for success. Apart from his business time, he enjoys reading one book per week, writing stories and poems, and watching Hindi movies in planes. 

 

His advice is that a business deal should benefit both sides, i.e., customer and supplier,  which will create a heavenly environment; if it’s one sided it is like a hell. He stresses on action rather than on analysis and advocates to set a goal with a deadline otherwise it’s a fantasy. His motto is to remain optimistic in which case tomorrow will be better than today. Success is a journey and not a destination. 

 

Rahulbhai narrated his personal interesting story of his youthful days of watching Wahida Rehman in a movie and developing an insatiable desire to get an opportunity to have a romantic meeting for a day with her. Even though he didn’t meet her but his optimism to meet her kept him mentally younger. 

 

Rahulbhai’s column regularly appears in the Feelings magazine which can be viewed on YouTube. 

 

Interesting Q&As followed. Viewers thanked Rahulbhai for his humorous presentation and his bold and visionary decisions. Despite being a busy entrepreneur, he was at an ease and entertained viewers. Thanks Rahulbhai. Also, thanks to Himatbhai Parekh for introducing a dynamic personality. 

 

(ii) Musical Program:

 

Ms. Bhavika Chouhan, a versatile singer who has performed her shows internationally, entertained viewers for an hour and a half with Bollywood songs and Gujarati Geets. Our member Suhagben Mehta had arranged her program. Suhagben, who has been bringing several talented singers to our program, is a recipient of the Kashi award for successfully organizing entertainment programs in the US, U.K., and India. She is the President of SAWAO and a pioneer of the famous Ganesh Utsav. 

 

Bhavika Chouhan kicked off the program with Ganesh Vandana and her songs included Aaiye Meherbaan, Ajib Dastan Hai Yeh, Aapki Aankho Mein Kuchh, Tune O Rangile, Aage Bhi Jaane Na Tu, Lag Jaa Gale, Faza Bhi Hai Jawan, Hamein Aur Jeene Ki Chahat, Paan Lilu Joyu Ne, Nayan Ne Bandh Rakhi Ne, Yeh Raaten Yeh Mausam, Dil Ki Nazar Se, Ek Pyaar Ka Nagma Hai, Chura Liya Hai Tumne, among others. 

 

(iii) New Member:

 

We welcome new members Navin & Pratima Parikh. 

 

(iv) Happy Birthdays and Wedding Anniversaries: 

 

 Priya Sheth (Birthday 1/9), Navinbhai Shah (Birthday 1/11), Hemaben Shah (Birthday 1/12), Drs. RP & Binita Shah (Wedding Anniversary 1/12), Hemangiben Shah (Birthday 1/14), Chhayaben Shroff ( Birthday 1/14), and Himatbhai &Hansaben Parekh (Wedding Anniversary 1/16). 

 

(v) Announcements:

 

(a) Pankajbhai Parikh, VP, briefed on various topics including the availability of our reports on YouTube, special significance of donations on Uttarayan day, the Valentines Day celebration, Lagnotsav 2 on February 12, 17 and 19 for couples’ 50th, 55th and 60th wedding anniversaries, and cruise update. 

 

(b) Jitubhai Zaveri, Jt. Secretary, announced future events. 

 

A Vote of Thanks by Mr. Ashok Sheth. 

 

B. THE JANUARY 15TH MEETING:

 

The meeting started with a prayer by Avaniben & Kumarbhai Mathuria. 

 

President welcomed viewers. Mr. Ashok Sheth, VP-Finance introduced Sponsor Gaurangbhai & Leenaben Parikh (profile attached). Mukund Mehta introduced Co-Sponsor Himatbhai & Hansaben Parekh (profile attached). 

 

The Musical Program:

 

A musical program Makar Sankranti Ni Masti, sponsored by Gaurangbhai & Leenaben Parikh and co-sponsored by Himatbhai & Hansaben Parekh, was a hit. 

 

(i) SurSangam:

 

The SurSangam Group from Nagpur entertained about 700 viewers (almost 400 Zoom logins) for two hours celebrating the Makar Sankranti Masti with a variety of songs, focusing on kite flying, and covering traditional selections peculiar to different regions of India. Sachin & Surabhi Dhomne’s group of singers and musicians along with Dr. Manoj Salpekar’s excellent anchoring impressed the audience who revved the musical extravaganza. 

 

Starting with the Surya Dev prayer, the group covered a wide array of songs including Tumara Ujala Kamaal Kar Gaya, Aaj Phir Jeene Ki Tamanna Hai, Surma Me Nirala Aankho Mein Jisne Dala, Sar Jo Tera Chakraye Dil Dooba, Khai Ke Paan Banaaras Wala, Mere Pairon Me Ghunghroo Bandha De, Chali Chali Re Patang, Hum Kale He To Kya Hua, Dariya Kinare Ek Bangalo, Chalat Musafir, Ek Chatur Naar, Dhol Baaje, Yeh Dosti Hum Nahi Todenge, among others. 

 

Comedian Ejaz presented several mimicry items to which viewers gave thumbs up. 

 

Viewers applauded SurSangam’s selection of songs and melodious voice of singers. 

 

(ii) Shivam Group:

 

The Surat-based Rajeshbhai Naik sang Gujarati Geets for viewers who reminisced their youthful days of kite flying from traditional Dhaba in their villages and towns. He unleashed several Geets including Dhabe Chadine Udadi Rahya, Aaj Preetam Ne Preet Mali Radha Ne Shyam Mali Jai, Hai Tane Jata Joi Makan Na Dhabe Maru Man Mohi Gayun, Rang BeRangi Patango Udadiya Aaje Aabhma Re. 

 

Thereafter, Rajeshbhai sang humorous lines specially prepared for several individual couples of Mansukh Patel, Mukund Mehta, Pankaj Parikh, Jagdish Patel, Niranjan Patel, Jitendra Zaveri, Chandrakant Shah, Virendra Juthani, among others. 

 

Viewers were impressed by Rajeshbhai’s originality in his entertainment presentation and traditional style. 

 

(iii) PowerPoint Presentation:

 

A PowerPoint presentation, prepared by Jyotindra Patel, was displayed by Jagdish Patel for Sponsor Gaurangbhai & Leenaben Parikh, Co-Sponsor Himatbhai & Hansaben Parekh (celebrating 58th wedding anniversary), and a Well Wisher Gautambhai & Chhayaben Shroff (celebrating Chhayaben’s birthday). 

 

Congratulating Himatbhai & Hansaben, the entrepreneur Mr. Rahulbhai Shukla humorously hinted them how they view each other as young even on their 58th wedding anniversary. 

 

(iv) Contributions:

 

We thank the following donors for their generous contributions:

 

Gautambhai & Chhayaben Shroff        $101 (Celebration of Chhayaben’s birthday) 

Anonymous                                                 65

 

(v) Announcements:

 

(a) Pankajbhai Parikh, VP, briefed about Lagnotsav-2 on February 12, 17, and 19, and cruise info. 

 

(b) Congratulations to Gautambhai Shroff on his selection as VP for Indo American Senior Citizens Inc. of Montgomery County, PA for 2022-2023 two years term. The IASCI was formed in 2006 and has 320 life members today. 

 

A Vote of Thanks by Kumarbhai Mathuria. 

 

2. 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 January 16, 2022 Sunday Computer Class 10:30 am EST

Join Zoom Meeting
https://indiahome.zoom.us/j/98114126485?pwd=UlliSkhBdU13cGxLL3ZieUxoLzgxdz09

Meeting ID: 981 1412 6485
Passcode: 338822