2020 Celebrations of the Center:

Dear Friends:
                                                HAPPY JULY 4TH

 

Hope you are doing fine. The week has been full of sad news. Almighty God turned upside down our Thursday, July 2 Zoom meeting’s original agenda. 

1. The July 2 Weekly Meeting:

The meeting started with a prayer by Mrs. Renukaben Shah. 

(A) Shri Deepakbhai Dave:

The meeting which was originally planned to entertain members with Bollywood music was transformed into a Shradhanjali Bhajan event for  Shri Deepakbhai Dave, Executive Director, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, USA, who had given an excellent presentation to us previous Thursday on Krishna Ane Maanav Sambandho. 

Our heartfelt condolences and sympathies to his wife Roopaben and daughter Mitali. 

It was shocking news on Monday since I had a normal chat on phone with him just about 20 minutes prior to his demise. The tragic news spread like a wildfire in the US and India since he was exceptionally a great orator and actor having to his credit more than 70 dramas, nine movies and 15 serials. He was deeply involved in spirituality, philosophy and religion. 

 

We thank Mr. Umesh Patel, a musical virtuoso, for switching over from the planned Bollywood event to Shradhanjali Bhajans at a short notice. He also arranged quickly a competent Tabla player Mr. Manoj (Monty.)

Mr. Umesh Patel unleashed a series of bhajans including Narayan Nu Naam J Leta, Vaishnav Jan To Tene Re, Hari Tu Gadu Maru Kyan Lai Jay, Tari Ek Ek Pal Jaye Lakhni, Bhakti Karata Chhute Mara Pran, Dwarika No Nath Maro Raja Ranchhod, Mara Ghat Ma Birajata, Rakh Na Ramkda, Tu Rangai Jane Rang Ma, Sai Baba bhajan, among others. 

Friends joined in the chorus of eulogy. 

Mr. Harshad Patel (Pakaji), President, Gujarati Samaj of New York, kicked off a eulogy ceremony recalling his association with Deepakbhai and admired his sterling achievements. 

In an elaborate eulogy, Dr. Navinbhai Mehta, Chairman, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, USA, describing his close association with Deepakbhai, compared him with a lamp diya (दीपक) brightening the atmosphere and the comet धूमकेतु leaving a bright trail of सुहाग behind him. Deepakbhai visited the Bhavan’s Manhattan office after a hiatus of 101 days where he had a heart attack. 

Mr. Minesh Patel, Past President, Gujarati Samaj of New York, narrated his close friendship with Deepkbhai and briefed about his several projects. He projected short videos of Deepakbhai and a Shradhanjali video by Mr. Salilbhai Mehta. 

Dr. Narendra Bhalodkar recalled Shri Deepakbhai’s father, the late Shri Harindra Dave and his poem as well as a poem by Mr. Manoj Khanderia.  Dr. Bhalodkar lamented that unfortunately a joint project with Deepakbhai on Krishna remained unfulfilled. 

Mr. Jatin Dharia, EC member, emotionally described his close childhood friendship with Deepakbhai as both lived in the same building in Bombay. 

Unfortunately, we missed Shradhanjali by Vadil Shri Rambhai Gadhavi, President, Gujarati Literary Academy of North America, due to misunderstanding on our part regarding his time schedule. Our apology. 

Dr. R. P. Shah reminisced the basic tenets of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, an institution to promote Indian culture, values and the principle of अहिंसा nonviolence. 

Mr. Ashok Vyas, Program Director, iTV Gold, recalled his conversations with Deepakbhai, praised his varied achievements, and recited a beautiful poem. 

Mr. Rohit Pandya, a close friend of Deepakbhai, expressed in an email his attachments, feelings, friendship and sentiments for the multitalented Deepakbhai. While recalling a Gujarati movie, “Ghar Ek Pankhino Maalo,” wherein Deepakbhai was honored by the Gujarat Government for his impressive role, Rohitbhai, alas, was seeking an answer how could he fly away from nest? 

Mr. & Mrs. Chandrakantbhai and Renukaben Shah were often seen on the screen coordinating beautifully from their home to the tunes of bhajans. He hailed the stunning accomplishments of Deepakbhai. 

The Shradhanjali was capped by the master of bhajans Mr. Ghanshyambhai Joshi with a beautiful bhajan Mara Jeevan Ni Jyot Laine Aavyo Choon. 

(B) Mr. Kirit Shah:

Our member Mr. Kirit Shah passed away on July 1. Our heartfelt condolences and sympathies to his wife Lataben and the family. May God rest his soul in peace. Condolence messages may be sent to Lataben at lks9001@gmail.com. 

(C) Mrs. Manjulaben Patel:

Mrs. Manjulaben Patel, 65, the wife of Mr. Amrutbhai Patel of Patel Brothers, passed away on July 1. She was very supportive to our Center with several Yogdans to our Center. Our heartfelt condolences and sympathies to Mr. Amrutbhai and the family. May God rest her soul in peace. Condolence messages may be sent to Amrutbhai at gary150980@yahoo.com. 

A moment of silence was observed for the three departed souls. 

 

A Vote of Thanks by Mr. Ashok Sheth. 

 

2. The Computer Class:

 

THERE IS NO CLASS ON SUNDAY, JULY 5, DUE TO THE HOLIDAY LONG WEEKEND.  

 

However, Prof Raj Vangapaty requests you to enroll in the computer class by filling out a form so that he can send you directly the link for his Sunday classes. 

 

Here is the link to enroll into the Sunday computer course.