“Aging is not ‘lost youth’ but a new stage of opportunity and strength.”
PRESIDENT’S REPORT # 14 - Mukund Mehta
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Dear Friends:
H A P P Y F A T H E R ‘S D A Y
Hope you are all OK and busy with various Zoom programs. Today is the beginning of the Summer season but still we are generally confined to our homes. The phase 2 will start in a couple of days in NYC which will ease some of the restrictions.
Viewers exchanged Father’s Day greetings on the screen.
Unfortunately, 20 Jawans became Shahids in skirmishes on the Indian boarder leaving several children fatherless. Our heartfelt sympathies to the families.
Let’s brief you about the couple of meetings we had during the week on Thursday, June 18 and Saturday, June 20:
1. The June 18 Meeting:
The meeting started with a prayer by Mrs. Ranjanben Patel.
In order that our members stay mentally healthy during the Coronavirus, the Center had arranged presentations on Zoom by psychiatrists Dr. Nalini Juthani and Dr. Maya Rao. Their profiles are attached.
(A) Dr. Maya Rao:
The session was kicked off by Dr. Maya Rao who described the eye witness events taken place in and around her hospital from the onset of the Coronavirus. The war-zone type environment was extremely grim, pathetic and nerve breaking which made her lose sleep as a number of patients became victims of the virus. The impact of the virus was exacerbated by confusion, lack of medical facility, shortages of beds for patients, absence of the right medicine, and scarcity of ventilators. These factors aggravated the mental health of doctors, nurses , healthcare workers, patients, family members, relatives and friends. The vulnerability of elderly patients, financial toll, lack of funeral arrangements, and social isolation made the situation worse.
Dr. Maya Rao displayed the nuances involved in mental problems through the power point presentation. She gave an elaborate overview of anxiety, grief, depression, and the suicidal behavior. She suggested various avenues to release the stress through Yoga, social integration, proper medications and positive attitude.
(B) Dr. Nalini Juthani:
Since Dr. Maya Rao already covered succinctly most of the technical aspects of mental diseases, Dr. Nalini Juthani focused on her personal story and experiences which had impact on mental condition. She described the critical situation emanating from a stroke to her 94-year old mother in early March when Coronavirus was creeping in and the run around she experienced with her five grand children between a nursing home and a hospital. As if this emergency was not enough, she was badgered by constant TV and radio pathetic news of the virus. Under these stressful circumstances, even a doctor could get mentally perturbed leading to a heightened anxiety and stress.
She got a best advice from her daughter, also a doctor, to stop listening to the news and listen to the statements issued by NYS Governor Cuomo and medical journal articles – which really calmed her down. She also relaxed in a nearby park. Ultimately, she was able to have a sound sleep. Also, she started practicing detachment and concentrated on medicine, psychotherapy and social counseling. She also delve into intellectual, religious and spiritual matters relating to physical body, soul- Atma and surrendering to God and have faith in Kalyan to relieve from anxiety and panic attacks.
The Q&A session was very informative. The audience enjoyed the in-depth presentations of both Dr. Nalini Juthani and Dr. Maya Rao.
(C) Music Program:
Mr. Nirav Parikh, an entrepreneur, cricket fan, and music lover from India, entertained the audience with a nice collection of songs, such as Oh Hansini Meri Hansini, Kahan Ud Chali, Tum Bhi Chalo, Ham Bhi Chale, Chalti Rahe Zindgi, Diya Jalte Hain, Phool khilte Hain, Raat Kali Ek Khwaab Mein Aayi, Nadiya Se Dariya, Dariya Se Sagar, among others.
Vote of Thanks by Mr. Shantu Gohil.
2. The June 20 Meeting:
The meeting started by Mrs. Pushpaben Patel.
Sachin & Surabhi Dhomne and their group presented a two-hour plus outstanding and innovative musical orchestra on a theme “Mile Sur Mera Tumhara” from Nagpur, India, unleashing a variety of Indian melodies for unity in diversity. The program provided viewers a virtual tour of Indian states.
The musical program was sponsored by Mrs. Naliniben Somaiya. We are thankful to her.
The MC Dr. Manoj Salpekar greeted 400 families on Zoom with a good morning in various languages of India explaining that that there is one voice with a common goal of Pooja and Aarti even though there are 122 languages in India.
Surabhi kicked off with a song Jago Manmohan Pyare Jago, Mara Ghat Ma Birajata Shree Nathji, Aaj Braj Mein Holi Re Rasiya, followed by a litany of famous songs by the ensemble in different languages prevailing in various states of India. Punjabi songs Waheguru Satnaam, Baba Nanak Dukhiya De Nath Re, and Holi song of Holi Khele Rang Bira, Ankh Mil Gayi Sajana Se, Chhoti Si Aasha, Bharat Humko Jaan Se Pyara Hai, Jiya JaleRaat Bhar Diya Jale, Ghungroo Ghungroo Shyam Rang Ghungroo, Soneri Dharti Jathe Chandiro Aasman Rang Rangilo Ras Bharyo Mahroo Rajasthaan, Nayan Mein Bandh Rakhi Ne, Patan Thi Patola Mongha Lavjo Re, Pankhida Tu, Dholida Dholida, Masti Bhari Raat Hai, Janu Meri Jaan, Mere Sapno Ki Rani, Dama Dam Mast Kalandar, among others.
Speaking on South Indian languages of Tamil and Telugu, Dr. Salpekar traced the Tamil as the oldest language and its impact on civilization found in Cambodian temples. Songs of fishermen in Konkani and Marathi on the western India included Lavni, and the Malayali language songs in actor Prem Nazir’s films were a hit.
The ensemble also covered songs peculiar to Gujarat, Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Sindh, Rajasthan, West Bengal, among others. Gujarati Garba Raas and Punjabi Bhangra made viewers dance in their homes, a rare departure from the monotonous life during the Coronavirus period.
Chandrakantbhai and Renukaben Shah in appropriate attire danced impressively from their home synchronizing with the orchestra.
Congratulations to the Dhomne group for presenting an exceptionally good program. Countless number of viewers fleshed congratulatory messages on the screen.
Vote of Thanks by Mr. Hemant Pandit.
3. The Computer Class:
Prof Raj Vangapaty is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting on Sunday, June 21, from 10:30am to 12:30pm.
Topic: Computer Technology Course for India Home Members
Time: This is a recurring meeting Meet anytime
Join Zoom Meeting
https://indiahome.zoom.us/j/
Meeting ID: 981 1412 6485
Password: 357964
4. The Yoga Class:
Our member Rupaben Dharia’s Yoga class is going in full swing as about 50 families participate on Zoom every Tuesday and Friday. The next class is on Tuesday, June 23, between 11:00 and 11:30am.
ID: 715 3405 1087
Password: 6789
5. The Arts Class:
India Home has extended invitation to our members to join the arts, creative writing and technology classes. Please contact Ms. Kavita Shah, Creative Aging Director, at 917 825 1559 for the Zoom link.
6. India Home’s June 28, 2020 Program:
India Home has organized a virtual South Asian Mela on Sunday, June 28, 2020 from 10:00am to 5:00pm. A flyer is sent separately.
7. Future Programs:
Mr. Pankaj Parikh, VP, provided details of the future programs:
Please note the ID and Password for the following programs:
ID: 516 607 5252
Password: 5252
(A) Mr. Deepakbhai Dave’s Talk:
A talk by Mr. Deepakbhai Dave, Executive Director, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, on “Krishna Ane Maanav Sambandho” is arranged on Thursday, June 25, 2020 at 11:00am.
After the talk, Mr. Rohit Parikh from Baroda, India will entertain members with Bollywood songs.
(B) Musical Program:
A musical program of Bollywood and Gujarati songs by well known singer Mr. Umesh Patel and Associates is arranged on Thursday, July 2, 2020 at 11:00am.
(C) Musical Program:
A special musical program by Dhomne Group with orchestra ‘Best of O P Nayyar’ is planned on Saturday, July 11, 2020 at 11:00am, sponsored by Niranjanbhai and Minaxiben Patel.
(D) Musical Program:
A unique musical program by Dhomne Group with orchestra celebrating Janmashtami is planned on Saturday, August 8, 2020 at 11:00am, sponsored by Mrs. Nayanaben Gandhi.
(E) Mr. R. D. Patel’s Presentation :
A talk by Mr. R. D. Patel, psychotherapist, is planned on Thursday, August 20, 2020 at 11:00am.
(F) Musical Program:
A musical program by Dhomne Group with orchestra celebrating Lord Ganesh Utsav is planned on Saturday, August 22, 2020 at 11:00am, sponsored by Mr. & Mrs. Mahesh & Urmila Shelat.
(G) Vishnu Sahasranam:
As advised earlier, Dr. Narendra Bhalodkar’s program on Vishnu Sahasranam is on every Monday from 10:00 and 11:00am. His next program will be on June 22.
(H) Guru Tatva:
Spiritual Development Center celebrates 45th Anniversary, Guru Purnima, and presents “Guru Tatva” audio/visual musical program in Gujarati by Dr. Narendra Bhalodkar on Sunday, July 5, from 10:00am to 1:00pm. A flyer was sent separately.
8. Contributions:
We are thankful to the following members for their generous contributions:
Mrs. Ramaben Sampat $1,000
Mr. Jaswant Gajjar $101
Mr. & Mrs. Ramesh & Lata Shah $101
Mr. & Mrs. Chandrakant & Renuka Shah $101
Mr. & Mrs. Prabhakar & Ashaben Dharawat $51
Mr. & Mrs. Mukund & Padma Mehta $251
9. The June Birthdays and Anniversaries:
Members’ June Birthdays and Anniversaries were celebrated with the appropriate songs sung by the Dhomne group.
Thanks to Jagdish Patel, VP-PR, for hosting and Pankaj Parikh, VP, for co-hosting the Zoom operations.
Please stay healthy.
Thanks.
Mukund Mehta
June 20, 2020