“Aging is not ‘lost youth’ but a new stage of opportunity and strength.”
PRESIDENT’S REPORT # 142 & 143 - Mukund Mehta
PRESIDENT’S REPORTS
LAGNOTSAV CELEBRATIONS
Dear Friends:
The following are brief reports of the Zoom meetings held on Thursday, February 17 and Saturday, February 19, 2022. The meetings were anchored by Mr. Pankaj Parikh, VP, and hosted by Mr. Niranjan Patel, Secretary. A beautiful PowerPoint presentation covering sponsors was prepared by Mr. Jyotindra Patel, Past President of GSNY. Proceedings of the meetings were placed on YouTube by Mr. Jagdish Patel, VP-PR. Thanks to all.
1. THE FEBRUARY 17TH MEETING:
The meeting started with a prayer by Mrs. Bhartiben Desai.
While welcoming members on the second day of the Lagnotsav-2 celebration, President assured them that today’s event will be a memorable one not only for the 15 couples whose milestone wedding anniversaries are being celebrated, but also for all the viewers. He welcomed today’s speaker Mrs. Purviben Modi Malkan (profile attached) who will elaborate on Fatanas which are humorous teasing songs.
(i) Presentation by Mrs. Purviben Modi Malkan:
Purviben delve at length the historical and traditional systems of singing of Fatanas in wedding functions reflecting ગ્રામ્ય જીવન સંસ્ક્રુતિ. While encompassing the various stages of traditional wedding starting from the search of a life time partner for a daughter by parents up to her વિદાય, she compared the role played by parents in the past in selecting a life partner for their daughter to the self selection in the modern era.
It was amazing that Purviben very adroitly described A to Z of the wedding ceremony, roles played by bride, bridegroom and their families, customs and traditions, feelings and emotions, and threading therein appropriate Fatanas and Lagn Geets. Readers of this report are requested to view the video recording of Purviben’s presentation to appreciate how skillfully she has described minute details therein.
Viewers applauded Purviben’s lecture.
Thereafter, Sadhanaben Sureshbhai Thakkar (profile attached) from Coimbtore, India, presented Fatana in her melodious voice which was revved by viewers. Sadhanaben is an expert in Rangoli and decorations. (see attachments.)
(ii) Wedding Ceremony:
Hemantbhai & Sugnaben kicked off the event with મંગલાષ્ટક in their melodious voice.
Thereafter, Shri Nikhilbhai Trivedi, Architecture, Painter and Chief Priest at ISKCON NYC, Hare Krishna Center, (profile attached), officiated Vedic wedding ceremony for the 15 couples whose anniversaries were celebrated. The ceremony evoked memories of their weddings.
Nikhilbhai, who has performed hundreds of wedding ceremonies in person over last few decades, conducted the ceremony step by step in an elegant manner. The couples reminisced their good old days and seemed exuberant and joyful. Hundreds of couples who were viewing the ceremony recalled their own wedding ceremony decades ago.
Nikhilbhai performed the 35-minute ceremony in the most authentic manner. Readers of this report are requested to view the video recording the ceremony.
(iii) PowerPoint Presentation/Introductions:
A PowerPoint presentation, prepared by Jyotindrabhai Patel, covering the couples, sponsors and well wishers, was displayed by Jagdishbhai Patel. Introductions of couples were given. (See attachment.)
(iv) Blessings/Well Wishing:
The couples received blessings and well wishes from:
Mr. Anil Shah, Chairman, Vaishnav Temple of New York, and Platinum Sponsor
Dr. Vasundhara Kalasapudi, Executive Director, India Home Inc.
Mr. Sudhirbhai Vaishnav, Executive Director, Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan
Mr. Arvindbhai Vora, Founder Member, Shanti Fund; Chairman, Long Island Multi Faith Forum
Mr. Dahyabhai Patel, Founder Member and Past President, Spiritual Development Center
Mr. Navin Shah, Past President, Senior Community Center, VTNY
Mr. Dilip Tolat, President, Aarti Foundation & Rekha Tolat, Community Leader
Mr. Jaymin Shah, President, Executive Committee, VTNY.
A number of Senior community members conveyed their best wishes.
(v) Birthday/Anniversary:
A Happy Birthday to Palak Joshi, the wife of Devendra Gohel Feb 18, and a Happy Wedding Anniversary to Kaushik & Nirmala Hansoti Feb 17.
(vi) New Members:
We welcome the following new members:
Harshad & Saroj Patel
Jashbhai & Sushilaben Patel
(vii) Co-Sponsors:
Our thanks to the following co-sponsors:
Chandrakant & Renuka Shah
Amrutbhai Patel
(viii) Well-wishers/ Chanllo:
Dahyabhai and Pushpaben Patel $151
Purnima Bhatt $101
Harsukh and Sudha Mehta $101
Shashikant and Bharati Desai $101
Nikhilbhai Trivedi $51
Subhash and Uma Shah $51
Gautam and Chhaya Shroff $51
(ix) Announcements:
Pankajbhai Parikh, VP, detailed about memberships, Lagnotsav supporters, well wishers and gifts to them.
(x) Game:
An interesting game of Q&A, devised by Pankajbhai, was played to see to what extent spouses’ answers matched. Twelve couples participated. All couples and viewers had a blast.
A Vote of Thanks by Dr. Binita Shah.
2. THE FEBRUARY 19TH MEETING:
The meeting started with a prayer by Drs. Mahendra & Lila Shah.
President welcomed members assuring them today’s finale of the Lagnotsav would be as exciting as it was in the previous two days of the celebration.
(i) Musical Program:
The SurSangam group from Nagpur entertained viewers for almost three hours with Bollywood songs befitting the occasion of wedding anniversaries and unleashing scores of songs on the theme of Mere Jeevan Saathi – મેરે જીવન સાથી, which were selected by the 15 couples whose anniversaries were celebrated.
Mr. Manoj Salpekar, while paying tribute to the departed souls of two musical virtuoso – Lata Mangeshkar and Bappi Lahiri, anchored beautifully today’s musical extravaganza.
Surabhiji, Mukulji and Shreyaji along with Sachinji and his musicians delighted viewers with a spate of songs including Zindagi Pyaar Ka Geet Hey, Pyaar Bhare Sapne, Yaad Aa Raha Hey Tera Pyaar, Mana Ho Tum, Pyaar Kar Le, Jivanki Dor se Bandh Liya hey, Gata Rahe Mera Dil, Dekha Hey Teri Aankho Mein, Aate Hu Ye Zindagi Mein, Jo Waada Kiya Woh, Mene Mang Liya Sansar, Ek Mein Aur Ek Tu, Jane Man Jane Man, Roop Tera Mastana, Teri Bindiya Re, Tumsa Nahin Dekha, Aaja Sanam Madhur, Hum Tum Yug Yug Se, Waada Kar Le Sajna, Kutchh Na Kaho, Dekha Ek Khwab To, Jina Isika Naam Hey, Sara Pyar TumharaMaine Bandh Liya, Isharon Isharon Men Dil, Chup Gaye Sare Najare, Hum Safar Mere Hum Safar, Koi Tarah Se Meri Zindagi Mein, Ye Raat Bhigi Bhigi, Aye Mere Humsafar, Bahut Pyar Karte Hein Tumko Sanam, Sochenge Tumhe Pyaar Karke, Karvaten Badalte Rahe, Pyar Hua Ikrar Hua, Bindiya Chamkegi, Hamen Tumhse pyar Kitna hey, Jab Koi Baat Bigad Jaye, Aye Meri Zohar Zabeen Tujhe Malum Nahi, among others.
Viewers applauded the musical extravaganza.
(ii) A Play by Drs. Rajni and Binita Shah:
A short play “Furniture Upar Gulab” aptly written and directed by Dr. Rajni Shah (RP, NewYork) featuring himself and his wife Dr. Binita highlighted the realities of life through a lively conversation. The play has been staged in New York and Pennsylvania. A brief write up is attached.
(iii) PowerPoint Presentation:
A PowerPoint presentation, prepared by Jyotindra Patel, of the couples, sponsors and well wishers, was displayed by Jagdish Patel.
(iv) Birthday/Anniversary:
A Happy Birthday to Leena Gaurang Parikh Feb 15. A Happy Wedding Anniversary to Gaurang & Leena Parikh Feb 7.
(v) New Members:
We welcome the following new members:
Arunaben & Pradipbhai Upadhyay
Harsukhbhai & Sarojben Oza
Jitendra & Jyotika Shah
(vi) Well Wishers/ Chanllo:
Jyotsnaben Pathak $151, Anonymous 7 $51, Anonymous 8 $51.
Jay mala (Haar) Donation by Hemaxiben Parekh.
(vii) The Lagnotsav Event:
President briefed about the planning, preparation and execution of the Lagnotsav event. The success of the program was attributed to the team work of EC members, support of sponsors/well wishers, volunteers and viewers. He praised the time and efforts put in by Pankajbhai and Varshaben Parikh and gave a shoutout with which viewers joined.
A number of congratulatory messages were received for the successful event. Attached is the one received from Mr. Kirit Sheth, Chairman, VRAJ Temple, PA.
(viii) Announcements:
Pankajbhai Parikh, VP, detailed about membership requirements, new members and contributions.
A Vote of Thanks by Dr. Lila 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 2/20/22 Sunday 12:30 pm Computer Class Zoom meeting link
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 981 1412 6485
Passcode: 343434
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, 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= d1preTlFMng5NXBQdFlKVjVqenh5Zz 09 Meeting ID: 728 015 4731
Passcode: 2007
4. 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) Presentation by Pujya Vijuben Rajani:
A presentation by Pujya Vijuben Rajani on Jivan Ek TirthYatra – જીવન એક તીર્થયાત્રા – is planned on Thursday, February 24, 2022 from 10:30am to 12:00pm. (arranged through Mr. Himatbhai Parekh, FL.)
Thereafter, a musical program by Sammy & Gautami Roy is planned from 12:00pm to 1:30pm. (arranged through Mr. Bharatbhai Goradia.)
(ii) Holi Celebration:
A Holi celebration is planned on Thursday, March 17, 2022. (details to follow)
(iii) Vishnu Sahasranam:
Dr. Narendra Bhalodkar’s program on Vishnu Sahsranam planned on Monday, February 21, 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) SAWAO:
SAWAO has planned a musical program from 10:30am on Saturday, February 26, 2022 celebrating Dr. Dipika Doctor’s birthday. (a flyer is attached.)
(vi) Parikh Geetmala:
Parikh Geetmala has organized a musical program on Sunday, February 27, 2022 at 10:30am. (details to follow).
(vii) VTNY SCC:
VTNY has planned a dama on Sunday, February 27, 2022 (a flyer is attached) and an event titled Taan, Maan, Dhan in Senior years on Saturday, March 5, 2022. (details to follow.)
(viii) GSNY:
GSNY has planned three events: (a) Hello Doctor Health program on Thursday, March 3rd, (b) Holi on Friday, March 18th, and (c) Gujarat Day on Saturday, April 30, 2022. (a flyer is attached.)
(ix) BSNY:
BSNY has planned Maha Shivratri & Musical Program on Sunday, March 6, 2022 from 10:00am onwards. (a flyer is attached.)
(x) JSG:
JSG has planned a Valentine’s Day celebration on Sunday, March 13, 2022 at 6:00pm. (a flyer is attached.)
(xi) Learn Gujarati:
Gujaratis of North America encourages children to learn Gujarati on website free of charge. (a flyer is attached.)
Please stay healthy.
Thanks.
Mukund Mehta, President
February 20, 2022
718 450 1829 (C)