“Aging is not ‘lost youth’ but a new stage of opportunity and strength.”
PRESIDENT’S REPORT # 32 - Mukund Mehta
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Dear Friends:
The following is a brief report of the weekly Zoom meeting of Thursday, October 1, 2020. The report is abbreviated as the meeting was recorded and placed on YouTube by our member Mr. Jyotindrabhai Patel. Thanks Jyotindrabhai.
1. The October 1st Meeting:
The meeting started with a prayer by Mrs. Bhartiben Parikh.
(A) Shri Giriraj Shastriji’s Presentation:
In his welcome address, President conveyed a positive feedback received from viewers on the last week’s first presentation by Shastriji. Today’s topic was “મરતા સુધી જીવો,” the second weekly lecture in a series of four. We thank our member, a Well Wisher, for sponsoring the series.
President also touched upon tomorrow’s Gandhi Jayanti marking his 151st birth anniversary and Shanti Fund’s evening Zoom program on Gandhiji’s 150th birth anniversary celebration finale, compered by Dr. Narendra Bhalodkar. Shanti Fund celebrated the finale on October 1 at Gandhi Peace Garden, Old Westbury, with the dedicated services by Mr. Arvind Vora, Mr. Bakul Matalia and volunteers.
Shastriji kicked off with a prayer and succinctly explained that the journey between જીવન and મરણ is a story of one’s life consisting of good deeds, misdeeds, love, character, empathy, etc. which a person seems to visualize at his death bed which he can’t undo and then laments why did he do some of the negative and unworthy deeds or why did he not do some good deeds during his life time. Shastriji analyzed જી-વન (વન=garden represents happiness) and મ-રણ (રણ=desert denotes sadness), quoting poems and shayaries, and buttressed the importance of enjoyment while living a fruitful life. Mostly, people lack a longing for happiness; instead, they succumb to avoidable worries about death which is certain.
A person can enjoy the richness of life if he renders selfless and unconditional services for others’ benefits without any expectation for himself. Happiness springs from forbearance and tolerance. For example, Lord Krishna left Mathura so that his devotees can live peacefully from constant attacks by Jarasandha who was aiming at Krishna and that is why the name Ranchhod. Lord Krishna departed Mathura for the happiness and peace for the locals and not for self interest.
Sometimes people are consumed in their egos which deprive themselves from peace and happiness. People can be happy if they adjust to others since there is no uniformity or alikeness in the world. Also, one should not think too much as to what other people may think about him. Just follow your instincts, do what you like, live in present, give up stress, don’t think about death and enjoy the life.
Viewers appreciated Shastriji’s advice and applauded him.
Apropos Shastriji’s lecture, I came across the following relevant poem by a psychologist Ramesh Shah about enjoyment of LIFE:
થંભી જરા
ગગન જૉને કેવું ગહન, સુંદર વળી
ચાલૉ પ્રિયે
પછી જોવા નહીં મળે શું આ ગગન
લલચાવશું મોતનેઃ “મોજ લઇ જો જિં
રમેશ શાહ
(B) Music Program:
A native of Kerala , India, Mr. Saurav Kishan, a 23-year medical student studying in China, also known as Chhote Rafi, entertained viewers with a variety of Bollywood songs, including Baharon Phool Barsaro Mera Mehboob Aya Hai, Khoyaa Khoyaa Chand Khulaa Aasamaan, Yun To Hamne Laakh Dekhe Hain, Tumsa Nahin Dekha, Taarif Karen Kya Uski Jisne Tumhe Banaya, Badan Pe Sitare Lapete Huey, Mera Prem Patra Padhkar, Tu Kahan Ye Bata es Nasheeli Raat Mein, Ehsan Tera Hoga Muzh Par, Chaudhvi Ka Chand, Jab Koi Baat Bigad Jaye, Bhagwan O Duniya Ke Rakhwale Sun Dard Bhare Mere Naale, among others.
Viewers applauded Saurav’s songs. We thank Mr. Shantu Gohil for recommending Saurav and sponsoring his program.
(C) Happy Birthdays:
Happy Birthdays of Mrs. Tejalben Gohil and Mrs. Paranjyotiben Patel were celebrated by viewers with gusto. A beautiful presentation of the celebration was displayed. Mr. & Mrs. Jagdishbhai, VP-PR & Shailaben Patel gave a pleasant surprise with a scrumptious cake at Mrs. Patel’s home.
2. New Members:
We welcome the following new members:
(i) Mr. & Mrs. Anil & Aruna Parikh
(ii) Ms. Nisha Desai
A Vote of Thanks by Mrs. Bhartiben Joshi.
3. The Computer Class:
Prof Raj advised as follows:
Dear class members,
Prof Raj Vangapaty is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Due to some unavoidable circumstances the Computer class will start at 1:00PM on October 4, 2020. I am sorry for the inconvenience caused.
4. The Yoga Class:
Our member Rupaben Dharia’s Yoga class is going in full swing as about 50 families participate on Zoom every Tuesday and Friday at 11:00am. The next class is on Tuesday, October 6, 2020. For your queries, please contact her at rdharia78@yahoo.com or by text at 917 435 1890.
ID: 715 3405 1087
Password: 6789
5. The Arts Class:
India Home has extended an invitation to our members to join the arts, creative writing and technology classes. Please contact Mrs. Kavita Shah, Creative Aging Director, at 917 825 1559 for the Zoom link as well as for new educational and informative events.
6. Future Programs:
Mr. Pankajbhai Parikh, VP, provided details of the future programs.
Please note the ID and Password for the programs (i) through (xi).
ID: 516 607 5252
Password: 5252
(i) Adhikmas Lectures:
Inspirational and motivational lectures by Shri Giriraj Shastriji are planned on Thursdays on October 8 and 15, sponsored by a well wisher. Program details are as follows:
8 October – હું ને તું અમે બનીએ. Thereafter, Bollywood songs by Dr. Dhiren Buch.
15 October – હાસ્ય એ જીવનનો રસ છે. Thereafter, Bollywood songs by Mr. Rocky Patalia, courtesy of Mr Bharatbhai Goradia
Due to some unavoidable circumstances the Computer class will start at 1:00PM on October 4, 2020. I am sorry for the inconvenience caused.
Best Regards,
Prof Raj
Prof Raj is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting on Sunday, October 4, 2020 from 1:00pm to 3:00pm.
Topic: Computer Technology Course for India Home Members
Time: This is a recurring meeting Meet anytime
Join Zoom Meeting
https://indiahome.zoom.us/j/
Meeting ID: 981 1412 6485
Passcode: 679534
Join Zoom Meeting
https://indiahome.zoom.us/j/
Meeting ID: 981 1412 6485
Passcode: 679534
4. The Yoga Class:
Our member Rupaben Dharia’s Yoga class is going in full swing as about 50 families participate on Zoom every Tuesday and Friday at 11:00am. The next class is on Tuesday, October 6, 2020. For your queries, please contact her at rdharia78@yahoo.com or by text at 917 435 1890.
ID: 715 3405 1087
Password: 6789
5. The Arts Class:
India Home has extended an invitation to our members to join the arts, creative writing and technology classes. Please contact Mrs. Kavita Shah, Creative Aging Director, at 917 825 1559 for the Zoom link as well as for new educational and informative events.
6. Future Programs:
Mr. Pankajbhai Parikh, VP, provided details of the future programs.
Please note the ID and Password for the programs (i) through (xi).
ID: 516 607 5252
Password: 5252
(i) Adhikmas Lectures:
Inspirational and motivational lectures by Shri Giriraj Shastriji are planned on Thursdays on October 8 and 15, sponsored by a well wisher. Program details are as follows:
8 October – હું ને તું અમે બનીએ. Thereafter, Bollywood songs by Dr. Dhiren Buch.
15 October – હાસ્ય એ જીવનનો રસ છે. Thereafter, Bollywood songs by Mr. Rocky Patalia, courtesy of Mr Bharatbhai Goradia
(ii) Musical Program:
A musical program by Dhomne Group with orchestra is planned on Saturday, October 17, 2020 at 11:00am, sponsored by Mayurbhai & Rekhaben Trivedi, Dilipbhai & Rekhben Tolat and Rekhaben Gajiwala.
(iii) The World Traveler:
The globetrotter Mrs. Preety Sengupta, a lone traveler, will describe Extraordinary Destinations in the World on Thursday, October 22, 2020 at 11:00am.
(iv) Dance Program:
Kalanidhi Center of Performing Arts, Kanpur, will have a Garba Ramzat on Saturday, October 24, 2020, at 10:30am, sponsored by Mukund & Padma Mehta, Indraprasad & Mrudulaben Dave, and Rajendrabhai & Kokilaben Shah.
(v) Musical Program:
A musical program by Raj & Smruti Pandya and Family of Kentucky is planned on Saturday, November 7, 2020between 6:00 – 8:30pm. The Grand Sponsor of the program is Mr. B. Elango, Head US & Caribbean Operations, Bank of Baroda. Dr. Ishita Sheth (daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Ashok & Priya Sheth) is a co-sponsor.
(vi) Musical Program:
A musical program by the Dhomne Group with orchestra is planned on Sunday, November 22, 2020 at 11:00am, sponsored by Jagadish & Shailaben Patel, Mansukhbhai & Ranjanben Patel and Aroonbhai & Shobhanaben Shah. (Pl note the original date of November 21 is changed to November 22.)
(vii) Musical Program:
A musical program Shyam Teri Bansi by the Dhomne Group with orchestra, is planned on Saturday, December 5, 2020 at 11:00am, sponsored by Mrs. Nayanaben Gandhi, Mrs. Jayshreeben Vishnubhai Joshi, and Mr. & Mrs. Indravadanbhai & Hemangiben Shah.
(viii) Musical Program:
A musical program Ek Shaam Lata Ke Naam by Dhomne Group with orchestra is planned on Saturday, December 19, 2020 at 11:00am , sponsored by Dinesh & Kailasben Shah.
(ix) Musical Program:
A musical program Mukesh-Sada Bahar by Dhomne Group with orchestra is planned on Saturday, January 9, 2021 at 11:00am, sponsored by Vijay Patel.
(x) Musical Program:
A musical program by Dhomne Group with orchestra is planned on Saturday, January 23, 2021 at 11:00am, sponsored by Drs. Virendra & Nalini Juthani.
Notes:
1. Mr. & Mrs. Narendrabhai & Kaminiben Shah have sponsored a program. Details to be announced later.
2. An anonymous sponsor will join one of the above programs.
(xi) Vishnu Sahsranam:
As advised earlier, Dr. Narendra Bhalodkar’s program on Vishnu Sahsranam is on every Monday from 10:00 and 11:00am. His next program will be on Monday, October 5, 2020.
Please stay healthy.
Mukund Mehta
(xi) Vishnu Sahsranam:
As advised earlier, Dr. Narendra Bhalodkar’s program on Vishnu Sahsranam is on every Monday from 10:00 and 11:00am. His next program will be on Monday, October 5, 2020.
Please stay healthy.
Mukund Mehta
October 3, 2020