2022 Celebrations of the Center:

PRESIDENT’S  REPORT

Dear Friends:

The following is a brief report of the Zoom meeting held on Thursday, February 10, 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.

The meeting started with a prayer by Mr. & Mrs. Indravadanbhai & Hemangiben Shah. 

President welcomed members and requested them to pay a tribute to the departed soul of India’s nightingale singer Lata Mangeshkar, a recipient of India’s highest civilian honor of Bharat Ratna, whose career spanned over seven decades during which she recorded 27,000 Bollywood and religious songs in different languages. May God bless her soul. 

1 (i) Presentation by Mr. Neel Shah, Esq., CFP:

President welcomed Mr. Neel Shah (profile attached) who had talked to our members last October. In his topic today of Market Volatility, Economic Review & 2022 Outlook, he succinctly discussed basic foundations to be considered for a total planning which comprised of preservation planning, retirement planning, tax planning, estate planning and investment planning. The essence of a meaningful life is that one should fulfill desires while active rather than getting thoughts at the death bed that something should or should not have been done in the past. Also, the family members should be proud of the legacy the deceased left behind. 

Discussing the excitement when the market is up and the fear when it drops, Mr. Shah observed that emotions are the same in both situations, but the level of confidence differs based on one’s risk tolerance level, time horizon, behavior, and the overall strategy. Surprisingly, the S&P 500, Russell 3000 and Dow Jones index were up in 2021 despite the prevalence of the Covid. Explaining the common market terminology of dip, pull back, correction and the bear market, Mr. Shah reminded viewers that these phenomena occur periodically. 

Mr. Shah advised that investors should not pur all eggs in the same basket; instead, diversify your portfolio. Also, investments should not be based on information provided by the news media; instead, rely on the suggestions of investment advisors. He touch based on topics such as relentless surge in inflation, bank rates, treasury yields, Roth conversion, and Federal Reserve’s policy of rate hikes in 2022. Investors should remain cautious rather than overly optimistic considering their own situation of liquidity, mortgage, cash flow, retirement income, etc. They should revisit their investment strategy periodically. 

He rested his presentation with the maxim that Knowledge is Power. Interesting Q&As session followed and viewers applauded him for his down-to-earth lecture in Gujarati. 

Mr. Shah is gracious enough to offer to our members a free 15-minute consultation. Please click the following link:

• https://calendly.com/jmotz-3/15-minute-intro-call
• Here is the link to Facebook page for anyone who is interested in following  updates and watching broadcast: https://www.facebook.com/ShahPlan

Mr. Shah may be contacted at his email nshah@lawesq.net or at 732 521 9455. His informative websites:

Legal Planning  |  Financial Planning  | Integrated Planning | Video Library

(ii) Musical Program:

Singer Krishna Parmar from Baroda entertained viewers with Bollywood songs. The musical program was arranged through Ms. Suhagben Mehta who introduced the singer. 

Suhagben has brought several talented artists from India in the past. A recipient of the coveted Kashi award for arranging successful programs in India, U.K. and the U.S., and the promoter of the Ganesh Utsav in New York, Suhagben Mehta, President of SAWAO, is well known in Indian community. Thanks Suhagben for bringing good programs to entertain viewers. 

Paying tribute to Lata Ji, and starting with a Ganesh Stuti, Krishna Ji sang several Bollywood songs including Lag Ja Gale, Ye Sama Sama Hai Ye Pyar Ka, Ajeeb Dastan Hai Yeh, Bahon Mein Chale Aao, Tune O Rangeela Kaisa Jaadu Kiya, Tujhse Naraz Nahin Zindagi, Dil To Hai Dil, Aap Ki Nazro Ne Samjha, Tuzhe Bulayein Yeh Meri Bahein, Ab To Hai Tumse Har Khushi Apni, Humein Aur Jeene Ki Chahat Na Hoti, Aap Ki Aankho Mein Kuchh, and a Gujarati Geet Paan Lilun Joyu Ne Tame Yaad Aavya. 

Viewers appreciated Krisha Ji’s melodious voice and selection of songs. 

(iii) New Members: 

We welcome the following new members:   

Kantibhai and Ramilaben Panchal

Subhash and Uma Shah

Satinder Singh and Renu Gill

Lakshesh and Jyoti Panchal

(iv) Lagnotsav Contributions:

Chanllo:

Nikhil Trivedi $51

Pradip and Ranjan Mehta $51

Nitin and Smruti Shah $51

Indravadan and Hemangi Shah $51

Well-wishers (Not listed in Kankotri):

Mukesh Kapadia $101

Baldev and Mitra Patel $101

(v) Happy Birthdays/ Wedding Anniversaries:

Best Wishes for Birthdays:

Kantibhai Patel 2/8/33

Nayanaben Gandhi Feb 10

Smita Nitin Most Feb 6

Dhiren Gandhi Feb 7

Best Wishes for the 50th Anniversary: 

Ramesh and Niranjana Shah Feb 4

Kirit and Sucheta Naik Feb 10

Bhupendra and Suverna Shah  Feb 11

(vi) Shri Kantibhai Patel, Past President:

Members wished a Happy 90th Birthday to Shri Kantibhai Patel, Past President of IASCCOFNY. His appearance and speech, defying his age, were spectacular. He praised the activities of the Center and wished it more success. He opined that he cannot think of any other Senior Citizen Center which matches IASCCOFNY. Members wished him a healthy and happy life. 

(vii) Announcements:

Pankajbhai Parikh, VP,  requested viewers to join as members, provided details of the Lagnotsav on February 12th and appealed for contributions. 

A Vote of Thanks by Mrs. Hemangiben Shah. 

2. India Home Survey:

India Home is conducting a research project with Harvard students regarding the impact of Covid on South Asian seniors. Ms. Vaidehi Jokhakar who has joined India Home on a part time basis will help conduct the research with the aim of 200 interviews by the end of February. IASCCOFNY members are encouraged to participate in the survey and to  volunteer their names to Ms. Kavita Shah, Program & Budget Director, at 917 825 1559.

3. 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 2/13/2022 at 10:30 am EST

Join Zoom Meeting

https://indiahome.zoom.us/j/98114126485

Meeting ID: 981 1412 6485

Passcode: 884466

4. 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, Program & Budget 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=d1preTlFMng5NXBQdFlKVjVqenh5Zz09

Meeting ID: 728 015 4731
Passcode: 2007

5. Future Programs:

Jitendra Zaveri, Jt. 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) Lagnotsav-2:

Lagnotsav-2 is planned on February 12, 17 and 19, 2022. Pl see a Kankotri sent through WhatsApp. 

(ii) Musical Program: 

A musical program by Sammy & Gautami Roy is planned on Thursday, February 24, 2022 from 12:00pm to 1:30pm. (arranged through Bharatbhai Goradia.)

(iii) Vishnu Sahasranam:

Dr. Narendra Bhalodkar’s program on Vishnu Sahsranam is planned on Monday, February 14, 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) Musical Program:

A Valentine’s Day musical program is planned by India Cultural Association of Central Jersey on Saturday, February 12, 2022 (a flyer is attached.)

(vi) GLAOFNA’s Program:

Gujarati Literary Academy of North America has organized a Vartalap with Shri Ratilal Borisagar on Sunday, February 13, 2022 at 11:00am.(a flyer is attached.)

(vii) 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. (flyers are attached.) 

(viii) Musical Program:

Sruhadam Entertainment Vishnu Patel has organized a musical program on Saturday, February 12, 2022 at 7:00pm. (a flyer is attached.) 

(ix) Musical Program:

Indian American Cultural Association of Westchester has planned a Valentine’s Day musical program on Sunday, February 13, 2022 at 10:30am. (a flyer is attached.)

(x) VTNY SCC:

VTNY has planned an event titled Taan, Maan, Dhan in Senior years on Saturday, March 5, 2022. (a flyer and details to follow.)

(xi) BSNY:

BSNY has planned Maha Shivratri & Musical Program on Sunday, March 6, 2022 from 10:00am onwards. (a flyer is attached.)

(xii) 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 

February 11, 2022

718 450 1829 (C)