“Aging is not ‘lost youth’ but a new stage of opportunity and strength.”
PRESIDENT’S REPORT # 138 - Mukund Mehta
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
HAPPY 73rd REPUBLIC DAY OF INDIA
&
MAHATMA GANDHI PUNYATITHI
Dear Friends:
The following is a brief report of the Zoom meeting held on Thursday, January 27, 2022. 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 Mr. Ashok Sheth, VP – Finance, for liaising with the Bank.
The meeting started with a prayer by Mr. & Mrs. Aroonbhai & Shobhanaben Shah.
While welcoming members, President wished a Happy 73rd Republic Day of India and Mahatma Gandhi’s Punyatithi. We thank our member Mr. Arvindbhai Vora for Shanti Fund to sponsor today’s program.
A moment of silence was observed for the departed soul of Mr. Kinjalkumar Shah, 49, son-in law of our members Narayanbhai & Ramilaben Shah. Our condolences and sympathies to the family. May God rest his soul in peace.
President introduced Mr. Arvindbhai Vora (profile attached), a Key Volunteer of Shanti Fund (see attachment) and Chairman of Long Island Multi Faith Forum, who is well known in community work, religion, government and politics. Mr. Vora briefly described activities of Shanti Fund and invited Long Island Multi Faith Forum’s key representatives of six faiths for peace prayers which included Harriet Fishman (Bahai), Brahma Kumari, Rev. Bhante Kottawe Nanda (Buddhist), Nikhil Trivedi (Hindu), Shefali Ajmera (Jain) and Anu Bindra (Sikh).
Mr. Vora introduced Hon. Randhir Jaiswal, Consul General, Consulate General of India, NY (profile attached). Based on his personal experience of past several Consuls General, Mr. Vora concluded that Mr. Jaiswal is more humane, humble, helpful and selfless public servant.
Mr. Jaiswal in his brief speech, appreciating today’s celebration as a meaningful function and referring to India’s 73rd Republic Day and Mahatma Gandhi Punyatithi, succinctly conveyed that we’re fortunate to follow the life, legacy, universal ideas, unity and diversity enunciated by Mahatma Gandhi. Mr. Jaiswal expressed his appreciation for the beautiful rendition of hymns of various religions by the peace prayers. He drew attention of the audience that Mahatma Gandhi himself had a Spanish Flu a century ago and managed to survive.
An impressive musical program centering Mahatma Gandhi Punyatithi and the Republic Day by Kirit Makwana and Bhupali Mehta from Baroda, arranged through our member Suhagben Mehta, entertained viewers with patriotic songs, Bollywood songs and Gujarati Geets. She introduced the singers.
Suhagben, President of SAWAO , Founder of the Ganesh Mahotsav in New York and the recipient of the coveted Kashi award for the best entertainment events in India, U.K. and the U.S., has arranged several programs of talented artists from India to entertain our seniors. Viewers were pleased with artists’ performance from the S.V. Band studio in Baroda with amazing backdrops. Thanks Suhagben.
Starting with the Ganesh Vandana, the duo singers covered a spate of songs including Raghupati Raghav, Suno Suno Ye Duniyawalo, Vaishnav Jan To, De Di Tune Azadi, Hothomein Sachai Rahati Hei, Aye Mere Vatan Ke Logo, Sandesh Aate Hay, Hai Preet Jahan Ki Reet sada, Ye Vatan Tere Liye, Ae Vatan Vatan Mere Aabad Rahe Tu, Aa Chalke Tuzhe Mein Leke Chalu, Aisa Desh Hai Mera, Jahan Dal Dal Par Soneki Chidiya, Kar Chale Hum, Mere Deshki Dharti, Hey Mere Pyare Vatan, Suno Gaurse Duniyawalo Hampe Buri Nazar Na Dalo, Aao Huzoor Tumko Sitaron Me Le Chaloon, O Hansini Meri Hansini, Jawani Janeman Haseen, Humsafar Mere Humsafar, Nayan Bandh Rakhi Ne, Paan Lilun Joyun Ne Tame, among others.
() New Members:
We welcome the following new members:
Drs. Srinivasa Rao and Vasundhara Kalasapudi
Nitin and Sangita Parikh
Ashok and Vinodini Panwala
Nitin and Ketki Thakkar
Rajnikant and Harsha Parekh
() Announcements:
(a) Pankajbhai Parikh, VP, briefed about the requirements for memberships, the Lagnotsav on February 12, 17 and 19, with 13 participating couples and pledges from 16 members.
(b) Viewers wished a Happy Birthday to Dr. Nalini Juthani.
(c) Viewers shared joy with our members Ganpatbhai & Manjulaben Mistry on conferring U.S. citizenship to Manjulaben’s mother Gangaben on her 100th birthday!
A Vote of Thanks by Mr. Aroonbhai Shah.
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 on January 30, at 1:30 pm EST
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 981 1412 6485
Passcode: 448833
3. The Arts Class:
India Home has extended an invitation to our members to join the health series lectures by Dr. Srinivas Rao, arts, creative writing by Dr. Nalini Juthani, 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 (iii):
ID: 516 607 5252
Password: 5252
(i) Musical Program:
A musical program by Ms. Dharti Vasani from London is planned on Thursday, February 3, 2022 from 12:00pm to 1:30pm. (arranged through Bharatbhai Goradia).
(ii) Lagnotsav-2:
Lagnotsav-2 is planned on February 12, 17 and 19, 2022 (details to follow)
(iii) Vishnu Sahasranam:
Dr. Narendra Bhalodkar’s program on Vishnu Sahsranam is planned on Monday, January 31, 2022 from 9:40am to 12:00pm.
(iv) 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
(v) Parikh Geetmala:
Parikh Geetmala has planned a musical program on Sunday, January 30, 2022 at 10:30am. (a flyer is attached).
(vi) VTNY SCC and Women’s Wing of VTNY:
A Gujarati drama is planned on Sunday, January 30, 2022 at 6:45pm. A tribute to Mahatma Gandhiji is planned at 5:45pm. (a flyer is attached).
(vii) BSNY:
BSNY has planned a Bhajan Sandhya on Sunday, February 6, 2022 at 4:00pm. (a flyer is attached).
(viii) SAWAO
SAWAO has planned two events: (1) Valentine’s Day celebration on Saturday, February 12 at 8:00pm and (2) a musical program from 10:30am on Saturday, February 26, 2022 celebrating Dr. Dipika Doctor’s birthday. (a flyer is attached).
(ix) JSG:
JSG has planned a Valentine’s Day celebration on Sunday, March 13, 2022 at 6:00pm. (a flyer is attached).
Please stay healthy.
Thanks.
Mukund Mehta, President
January 28, 2022
718 450 1829 (C)