2020 Celebrations of the Center:

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

 

Dear Friends:

 

 

Hope all of you are fine and keeping yourself busy. 

 

Although the Coronavirus spread in NY is somewhat contained, it has accelerated in South and West. Seniors are urged to take all the precautions while visiting outside of their homes. 

The Thursday, June 25 weekly Zoom meeting started with a prayer by Mrs. Gopiben Udeshi. 

A moment of silence was observed to pay our tribute to Mr. Navinbhai Dharia, 75, who passed away in India a few days ago. He was the father of our EC member Jatin Dharia and the elder brother of our member Arvindbhai Dharia. Our condolences to the family. May God rest his soul in peace. Condolence messages may be sent to Jatin Dharia at jndnd2000@yahoo.com. 

Let’s brief you about our activities during the week and some announcements:

1. Mr. Deepakbhai Dave’s Presentation:

Mr. Deepakbhai Dave is an Executive Director of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, USA, and his profile is attached. 

Deepakbhai gave an excellent presentation on Krishna Ane Maanav Sambandho discussing spiritual, religious and philosophical aspects about the relationships between Lord Krishna and humanity. He kicked off with a beautiful poem of Mukesh Joshi. 

Generally, our love, affection and feelings for Krishna are different from those for other deities, for example, we consider Krishna as a friend ( Mitrabhav, Sakha, Lalo) and refer him as तु where as we perceive lord Rama as आदरणीय and comparatively respect at an elevated level. Krishna’s friendliness is apparent when he tells Narad that he resides in the hearts of his devotees who should trust and surrender to him. 

Citing Draupadi’s Swaymvar, Deepakbhai distinguished दृष्टि of various candidates (kings) and Krishna: Kings had focused their attention on Draupadi where as Krishna focused on kings. 

During the Mahabharat war, Krishna tries to persuade Karna to detach his friendship with Duryodhan and switch his position to Pandavas and offered him all the support of five Pandavas so as to defeat Duryodhan. Karna was adamant and said that even if he switched the position and defeated Duryodhan, he would still hand over the kingdom to him.

Deepakbhai distinguished the type of Vardan (वरदान) Karna and Krishna tried to seek: Karna was longing for a Divyastra whereas Krishna sought eternal love with mankind (Parth Sathe Sashwat Priti, here Parth meaning earth, mankind and families.) Krishna always tried to protect Dharma and Satya, and worked for humanity.

Deepakbhai eloquently narrated an episode of Krishna refraining from eating butter (माखण) offered by Devki Ma as he always loved the butter made by Yashoda Ma. Krishna always protected his devotees as illustrated in Narsinh Mehta‘s Hundi honored by impersonating as Shamal Shah Sheth.

Once Krishna asked to bring Charan Raj (चरण रज) of his bhaktajan to cure his headache. No one complied except Radhaji who took out a piece from her sari and placed Charan Raj therein and sent to Krishna denoting her eternal mental love. 

Deepakbhai concluded his presentation quoting Poet Ramesh Parekh and Paresh Raval. 

Viewers gave a thumping applause to Deepakbhai for his an-hour-plus  brilliant presentation sprinkled with anecdotes, poems and quotes from Geeta and Mahabharat. The follow-up dialogue with viewers was interesting and informative. 

2. Musical Program:

Rohitbhai Parikh from Baroda, India, whose profile is attached, presented beautiful musical program of Bollywood songs for about half an hour. The selection included songs from old movies like Anadi, Jis Desh Me Ganga Beheti Hai, Shri 420, Awara, Bandini, Rani Rupmati, among others. 

Our member Hemant Shah along with his 4-year grand son danced from Minnesota to the tune of the song Mera Juta Hai Japani. Various couples were caught on the screen acting with various songs.  Rohitbhai’s selection of songs was appreciated by viewers who thanked him for the entertainment. Due to the night time curfew in Baroda, he had to make arrangements for the program from his friend’s home. 

A Vote of Thanks by Mr. Dinesh Shah (Kailasben.)

3. Contributions:

We thank Indravadanbhai and Mrudulaben Dave for a donation of $101.

4. The Computer Class:

 

THERE IS NO COMPUTER CLASS TOMORROW, SUNDAY, JUNE 28, SINCE INDIA HOME IS CELEBRATING THE SOUTH ASIAN MELA ON ZOOM FROM 10:00AM TO 5:00PM. PROF RAJ VANGAPATY WILL BE SPEAKING BRIEFLY ABOUT SOME COMPUTER CLASSES. 

 

PLEASE REFER TO ITEM #7 BELOW.


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