2022 Celebrations of the Center:

                                              

Dear Friends:

The following is a brief report of the Zoom meeting held on Thursday, February 24, 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. Himatbhai & Hansaben Parekh.

 

President welcomed members and requested them to observe a moment of silence to pay tribute to the departed soul of Mr. Kiritbhai Dave, 84, who passed away a few days back. Our condolences and sympathies to his wife Mrs. Linaben Dave and her family. We pray God to bless his soul. Condolence messages may be sent to his son Mirat at mirat_dave@yahoo.com

 

1 (i) Presentation by Pujya Benshree Vijuben Rajani:

 

President welcomed Pujy Benshree Vijuben Rajani, 82, (profile attached) of Mumbai who had lectured at our Center twice in the past. She is a motivational, spiritual and religious speaker for about 65 years in India and abroad. 

 

Starting with a brief prayer, she mentioned that God determines age of a person but it is up to the person to maintain good health. In her today’s topic of જીવન એક તીર્થયાત્રા, she         reminded that one gets the birth of a human after going through eighty four lakhs Yonis. Therefore, human beings should make their lives useful by performing good deeds. 

 

 The word “જીવન” comprises of three letters, viz., જી means જીવવું, વ means વધવું, and ન means નમવું. Further elaborating the meaning of જીવન, she explained that normally a person is trapped throughout the life in ચગડોળ embracing માયા, ક્રોધ, ગુસ્સો, લોભ, – these negative elements deprive him from liberation. Her advice was to abandon the animal instinct inherent in human beings by following the path of યાત્રા which could make a person a માનવ from દાનવ which will ultimately make જીવન a true તીર્થયાત્રા. 

 

Benshree very aptly conceptualized the life cycle  – જીવન યાત્રા  – of human beings in seven stages, viz., (1) જન્મ યાત્રા – the beginning of a life, (2) શરીર યાત્રા  – consists of senses and organs – ઇન્દ્રિયો – try to accept goodness of others rather than look for their drawbacks. Consider શરીર – body as a temple rather than a mass of blood, flesh and bones. Try to jettison negative thoughts and bring to bear when someone is wrong, (3) શિક્ષણ યાત્રા – the period of learning and earning. Make good use of accumulated resources for the benefit of needy people, (4) સંસાર યાત્રા – develop family and avoid bragging of what you did for them. Try to preserve enough money for yourself to sustain until you live, (5) કુટુંબ યાત્રા – make productive use of a retired life and don’t interfere in the lives of your children, (6) ધર્મ યાત્રા – be religious, and (7) સ્મશાન યાત્રા – people will evaluate about your good or bad deeds. If we follow and adopt the salient features enunciated in the various stages of life, then our life – જીવન – becomes તીર્થધામ. 

 

Viewers are requested to listen to Benshree’s scholarly presentation in a Video placed on YouTube. They applauded her lecture. We thank our member Himatbhai Parekh for introducing Benshree to our Center.

 

(ii) Musical Program:

 

Singers Sammy & Gautami Roy from Dallas, TX, (profile attached) entertained viewers with evergreen Bollywood songs and a Garba Ramzat. The program was arranged through Mr. Bharatbhai Goradia. 

 

Bharatbhai is a Cultural Ambassador between India and the U.S. He has under his belt countless number of recognitions and awards. Today’s program was his 32nd to our Center. He continues to bring talented artists to entertain our seniors. His affection to the elderly group is unique. He is planning to bring dramas in the future. Thanks Bharatbhai. 

 

The singers’ songs included Itna Na Mujhse Tu Pyar Badha, Arre Yaar Meri Tum Bhi Ho, Duniya Najdikiya Ban Gayi, Sa Re Ga Ma, Aasman Ke Neeche Hum, Medley of songs including Khoya Khoya Chand, Gir Gaya Jhumaka Girne Do, Hawa Ke Saath Saath, Ye Raaten Nayi Purani, Rimjhim Gire Sawan, Neend Churake RatonMein, Raat Ke Hamsafar, O Haseena Zulfon Wali, Saare Shehar Mein Aap Sa Koi Nahin, Aankhon Mein Kajal Hai, followed by a Garba Ramzat. 

 

Viewers applauded the duo’s melodious voice and the selection of sadabahar songs. 

 

(iii) Tidbits About Seniors:

 

(a) Where are we in World human race? An article (attached) summarizing a plethora of statistics states that out of 100, only 8 live more than 65 years of age. Aren’t we lucky that we all fall in this coveted category? Thanks to Dr. Nalini Juthani, a voracious reader, for forwarding the information, although it had been widely circulated. 

 

(b) Love Story: Narwarbhai Gandhi & Pannaben Naik share their love story on BBC and impart practical and thought provoking views. (video clip attached)

 

(iv) Announcements:

 

Pankajbhai Parikh, VP, briefed about cruise stating that 80 rooms have been booked, final payment is due in the beginning of April and the Zoom meeting is planned on February 28 at 8:30 pm to discuss about the cruise. Mother’s Day is scheduled on May 14. 

 

A Vote of Thanks by Himatbhai Parekh, Fl.

 

2. The Computer Class:

 

 

3. The Arts Class: