2022 Celebrations of the Center:

Dear Friends:

The following is a brief report of the Zoom meeting held on Thursday, April 14, 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. Mayurbhai & Rekhaben Trivedi. 

 

President welcomed members and requested them to join in a tribute to the departed soul of our member Mrs. Yoginiben Shah, the wife of Mr. Arvindbhai Shah. She passed away on April 6th. Our condolences and sympathies to the family. We pray God to bless her soul. Condolence messages may be sent at himanshu_dipa@yahoo.com

 

Also our heartfelt condolences to Mr. Nareshbhai Shah, past EC Member, for the loss of his brother-in-law Mr. Mahendrabhai (Mahendrakaka) Shah, 84, a social and religious worker and a recipient of Jain Ratna from Jain Center of America. India’s PM Shri Narendra Modi sent a condolence letter to his family. Condolence messages may be sent to smitanareshshah@yahoo.com

 

1 (a) Mr. Ashok Vyas’s Presentation:

 

President welcomed Mr. Ashok Vyas , Program Director, ITV Gold (profile attached) who wears several hats such as interviewer, writer, poet, video cameraman, editor, Hindu priest and speaker. His topic for discussion was in English: ‘My Mind- My Friend’ and in Hindi ‘मेरा मन- मेरा मित्र. 

 

Citing sage quotations of his Dadima (Grand Mom) and Sant Kabir on મન, Ashokji gave a scholarly presentation describing how the success or failure of our activities depends upon how we control or conquer our મન. Each person’s મન is unique and subjective and that is why each person’s interest varies, e.g., music, arts, sports, literature, fashion, etc. The key to success in each of these interests is to make મન your મિત્ર. Let it not wander off to another place and time; instead, let મન concentrate on one thing. Like a friend – મિત્ર – keep it with you. 

 

It’s a waste of time and energy when a person is compelled to engage in an activity or to attend an event when there is no મન therein. મન is related to શક્તિ, i. e., power or energy. Therefore, a person’s concentration in an activity, where his મન is, will yield a fruitful result since the activity is propelled by શક્તિ. 

 

Since મન is wavering and vacillating, it is very important to control it and make it a મિત્ર which will lead to enthusiasm and concentration. Five important elements for success in this regard are: understanding, intelligence, memory, innovative thinking, and imagination. 

 

Ashokji cited an episode of Ramayan when Laxman asked Ravan, who was about to die,  to a give a couple of ઉપદેશ. Ravan replies: when a good thought comes to your mind (મન), immediately implement it (Ravan had શક્તિ to make a big ladder to reach heaven but he didn’t) and if a bad thought (kidnapping of Sita) comes to your mind (મન), immediately jettison it. Don’t procrastinate. 

 

Ashokji cited the ugly outcomes emanating from an action that a person takes on a spur of a moment based on a thought which  comes to his mind (મન), e.g., the behavior by the actor Will Smith hitting Chris Rock at the recent Oscar awards ceremony, and Duryodhan’s revenge on Draupadi when she had laughed at him at a spur of a moment. 

 

Also, an ugly outcome emerges if an action is taken in anger (ક્રોધ) when મન is અશાંત. Therefore, it is essential to control વાણી, વિચાર અને વર્તન. Ashokji recommended Pranayama in this regard to achieve મનની શાંતિ. 

 

Informative and interesting Q&As followed. About 200 viewers (125 zoom logins) applauded Ashokji’s intellectual discussion. 

 

(b) Musical Program: 

 

Singer Mr. Devendra Gupta of North Carolina (profile attached) entertained viewers with Bollywood songs and mimicry. The program was arranged through Mr. Bharatbhai Goradia who has brought talented artists dating back to the onset of the pandemic in early 2020. This is his 35th program. Due to his wide network domestically and internationally, he is able to present artists to IASCCOFNY for entertaining seniors. He enjoys bringing smile on the face of the elderly group. Thanks Bharatbhai. 

 

Devendra Ji kicked off with Mataji’s Stuti Tune  muzheBulaya Sherawaliye, followed by Bollywood songs including Khilte hain Gul Yahan, Teri PyariPyari Soorat Ko, Sau Saal Pehle Mujhe, Maduban Khushboo Deta Hai, Bhanwre KiGunjan Hai Mera Dil, Chhoo Lene Do Najuk Hothon Ko, Tum Agar Saath Dene Ka Vada Karo, Dil Ki aawaz Bhi, Tere Mere Beech Mein Kaisa Hai Ye Bandhan, Mere Sapno Ki Rani. Saanson Ki Jarurat Hai Jaise, Suhani Chandni Raaten, Na Tum Hamen Jano, Diwana Hua Badal, followed bu mimicry dhamaka. 

 

Viewers applauded Devendraji’s evergreen songs and mimicry. 

 

 

A Vote of Thanks by Mayurbhai Trivedi. 

 

(d) Mrs. Purviben Mody Malkan’s Presentation: 

 

Regarding her forthcoming April 21 presentation on Pakistan Travel – 3, Mrs. Purviben Mody Malkan had sent three quizzes for our viewers to answer which were included in our previous report. Again, for your ready reference, they are included in the Future Events section. 

 

(e) Mrs. Preetyben Sengupta’s Short Stories:

 

Mrs. Preetyben Senguta, a globe trotter, who had given informative presentations in the past about her international travels, has been gracious to send us the following link of her recently published E Book which is a collection of her short stories in both Gujarati and English narrating life in USA – Diaspora! Thanks Preetyben. 

(f) Mrs. Purnimaben Desai’s Presentation on Miracle Powers of Crystals:

 

Prof Rajasekhar Vangapaty is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Computer Technology Course for Senior Members
Time: This is a recurring meetingComputer Class 4/17/2022 at 1:30 pm

Join Zoom Meeting
https://indiahome.zoom.us/j/98114126485

Meeting ID: 981 1412 6485
Passcode: 773399

 

3. The Arts Class: