“Aging is not ‘lost youth’ but a new stage of opportunity and strength.”
PRESIDENT’S REPORT # 75 & 76 - Mukund Mehta
Dear Friends:
The following are brief reports of two Zoom meetings held during a week on April 1 and April 3, 2021. Proceedings of the meetings are recorded and promptly placed on YouTube by Jagdishbhai Patel, VP- PR. The meetings were anchored by Pankajbhai Parikh, VP, hosted by Jagdishbhai Patel and co-hosted by Niranjanbhai Patel, Secretary. A PowerPoint presentation was prepared by Jyotindrabhai Patel. Thanks to all.
1. THE APRIL 1ST MEETING:
The meeting started with a prayer by Mrs. Kanakben Pandya.
President welcomed and introduced two literary luminaries Mr. Shobhit Desai and Mr. Chandrakant Shah (Profiles attached). He thanked Mr. Sudhir Vaishnav, Executive Director, Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan, for liaising the meeting with his good old friends. The pair’s friends Drs. RP & Binitaben, Mr. & Mrs. Rohit & Rakshaben Pandya, Mr. Rambhai Gadhavi, Mrs. Bhartiben Desai, Mr. Hemant Sheth and others were present.
(i) Gujarati Jalso:
Two renowned Gujarati poets Shobhit Desai and Chandrakant Shah, virtuosos of poems and ghazals, have performed several shows in India and the U.S. and won hearts and minds of the audience.
In a dialogue mode, the pair recounting their 47-year literary journey, recited a range of themes from poems to gazals to anecdotes to jokes and hailed contributions to the literary world by famed Ramesh Parekh, Mariz, Ghayal, Suresh Dalal, among others.
Commenting on lack of enthusiasm for poems by people, Shobhitbhai emphasized that poems actually interspersed with the everyday lives of individuals’ events, issues, problems, and their daily chores. Therefore, people should try to understand the message conveyed by poems. He lamented that the concept of religion is misused by politicians as a tool in elections. On the contrary, religion is romanticized by poems, e.g., a poet described a dark lady as Kali Mata (referring Kali Ma Goddess – a religious flavor). Further, contrasting धर्म with संप्रदाय, he distinguished the former as an unrestricted flowing river where as the latter loaded with restrictions. He also noticed that the primary reason for unhappiness in society is the desire to be over ambitious. Therefore, one should be content with what he/she has.
Chandrakant Shah wearing many hats in literary, acting, and journalism, aptly covered with a remarkable ease a wide spectrum of poems and ghazals. Creativity was visible in his recitals.
The duo entertained viewers for about an hour and a half who appreciated and applauded their literary presentation.
(ii) Musical Program:
Through the courtesy of Ms. Suhag Mehta, Satnam Singh entertained viewers for more than an hour and a half with a variety of Bollywood songs. Thanks Suhagben.
Satnam’s selection included Kisi a se Pyar Ho Jaye, Main Shayar To Nahin, Likhe Jo Khat Tujhe, Teri Aankho Ke Siwa, Kaun Hai Jo Sapno Mein Aaya, LagiHai Re Lagan, Janam Janam Ka Saath Hai, O Mere Dil Ke Chain, Mere Sapno Ki Rani, Roop Tera Mastana, Ek Ajnabee Haseena Se Mulakaat Ho Gayi, Mere Samne Wali Khidki Mein, Tuzhe Pe Qurban Meri Jaan, Tune Kajal Lagaya Din Mein Raat Ho Gayi, Badan Pe Sitare, Dum Dum Diga Diga, Rang Barse, among others.
Viewers applauded Satnam’s performance.
A Vote of Thanks by Mrs. Niruben Hansoty.
2. THE APRIL 3RD MEETING:
The meeting started with a prayer by Mrs. Shubhadraben & her daughter-in-law Mrs. Kavitaben Shah who is a Creative Aging Director, India Home, Inc.
In his welcome address, President thanked today’s sponsors Ramnikbhai & Hansaben Shah and wished a 80th Happy Birthday to Ramnikbhai.
(i) Musical Program:
The Nagpur-based SurSangam group, led by Sachin & Surabhi Dhomne and anchored by Dr. Manoj Salpekar, entertained for two and a half hours with melodious old songs reviving memories of golden years. The group selected songs from the list forwarded by the sponsors.
Starting with a Jain prayer followed by Satyam Shivam Sundaram, the ensemble unleashed a series of songs including Tere Bina Aag Yeh Chandni, Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya, Tere Mere Sapne Ab Ek Rang Hai, Yaad Kiya Dil Ne, Hai Apna Dil To Aawara, Mera Juta Hai Japanese, Ramaiya Vastavaiya, Barsaat Mein Humse Mile Tum, Chaudhvin Ka Chand, Kabhi Kabhi Mere Dil Mein Khayaal, Haal Kaisa Hai Janab Ka, Bholi Surat Dil Ke Khote, Panchhi Banoo Udti Phiroon, Madhuban Mein Radhika Nache Re, Pankh Hote To Ud Aati, Ek Pyaar Ka Nagma Hei, Chhod Do Ya Chal, Jo Wada Kiya Woh, Likhe Jo Khat Tuzhe, Jahan Jahan Jaati Hun, Mera Pehla Pehla Pyaar, Duniya Hai Mere Pichhe, Nakhre Wali, Baar Baar Dekho Hazaar Baar Dekho, Mera Naam Chin Chin Chu, Sau Saal Pehle, Tuzhe Jeevan Ki Dor Se, Yeh Zindagi Usi Ki Hai, Zindgi Ek Safar Hai Suhana, among others.
The music Mahefil capped with a Happy Birthday song for Ramnikbhai, followed by a cake cutting ceremony.
Viewers enjoyed SurSangam’s program.
(ii) PowerPoint Presentation:
Mukund Mehta introduced sponsors Ramnikbhai & Hansaben Shah (profiles attached). A PowerPoint presentation, prepared by Jyotindrabhai Patel, showing beautiful photos of the sponsor and family was displayed. Sponsors and family members’ speeches followed along with grand children’s poem reading and music recital on clarinet and piano.
(iii) Housie Games:
Pankajbhai Parikh, VP, briefed about Housie games to be played during the next several months.
(iv) New Members:
We welcome the following new members:
Jitendra & Ranjan Kothari
Deepak & Purvi Malkan
(v) Contributions:
Our thanks to Mr. & Mrs. Ashokbhai & Kusumben Gandhi for a generous donation of $125 in celebration of Ashokbhai’s 85th birthday. Happy Birthday Ashokbhai but you don’t look 85!
A Vote of Thanks by Mr. Aroon Shah.
3. The Computer Class:
Prof Rajasekhar Vangapaty is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting on Sunday, April 4, 2021 at 10:30am.
Topic: Computer Technology Course for Senior Members
Time: This is a recurring meeting, meets on Sunday at 10:30 am
Join Zoom Meeting
https://indiahome.zoom.us/j/
Meeting ID: 981 1412 6485
Passcode: 568224
4. The Yoga Class:
Our member Rupaben Dharia’s Yoga class is going in full swing as about 70 families participate on Zoom every Tuesday and Friday at 11:00am. The next class is on Tuesday, April 6, 2021.For your queries, please contact her at rdharia78@yahoo.com or by text at 917 435 1890.ID: 715 3405 1087
Password: 67895. The Arts Class:
India Home has extended an invitation to our members to join the arts, creative writing, cooking, crafts 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. For additional programs, you may visit the following link:
https://indiahome.zoom.us/j/
7280154731?pwd= d1preTlFMng5NXBQdFlKVjVqenh5Zz 09 Meeting ID: 728 015 4731
Passcode: 20076. Future Programs:
Niranjan Patel, Secretary, provided details of future programs.
Please note the ID and Password for the programs (i) through (vi).ID: 516 607 5252
Password: 5252
(i) Dr. Manoj Shah’s Presentation:
Dr. Manoj Shah, Psychiatrist’s presentation on Psychological effects of Covid-19 is planned on Thursday, April 8, 2021, at 10:30am.
(ii) Music Program:
A musical program of Ram Navmi by Dhomne Group, sponsored by Mukund & Padma Mehta, is planned on Saturday, April 17, 2021 at 10:30am. Drs. Shyam & Maya Rao are co-sponsors.
(iii) Music Program:
A music program sponsored by Rajni & Dr. Jyoti Gandhi is planned on Saturday, May 1, 2021. Details to follow.
(iv) Mother’s Day:
Mother’s Day celebration sponsored by Mr. & Mrs. Arvindbhai Vora is planned on Saturday, May 8, 2021 at 10:30am. Drs. Shyam & Maya Rao are co-sponsors. Details to follow.
(v) Father’s Day:
Father’s Day celebration is planned on Saturday, June 19, 2021 at 10:30am. Details to follow.
(vi) Vishnu Sahasranam:As advised earlier, Dr. Narendra Bhalodkar’s program on Vishnu Sahsranam is on every Monday from 9:45 to 11:30am. His next program will be on Monday, April 5, 2021.
(vii) Presentation by Spiritual & Positive Group:
The Spiritual & Positive Group has planned a discussion on Help Seniors Bring Smiles on Monday, April 5, 2021 from 9pm to 10pm. A flyer is attached.
(viii) Bhajan Sandhya:Spiritual Development Center (Adhyatmik Vikas Kendra) organizes Bhajan Sandhya every Friday from 8:30pm to 10:30pm. For information, pl contact Paragbhai Patel, President, at 646 496 7748.
ID 127 918 441
Password 1975
(ix) Programs of VTNY and/or SCC of VTNY:
(a) Gujarati Drama – Amari Duniya, Tumari Duniya on April 10 at 8:00pm
A flyer is attached.
(x) Gujarat Day:GONA USA is celebrating Gujarat Day on Saturday, May 1, 2021depicting Gujarat darshan with well known artists. A flyer is attached.(xi)Jain Senior Group (JSG):
Jain Senior Group has planned the following events:
(a) Musical program by Sanjeevani Bhelande, 5/8/21 at 8pm
(b) Musical program by Mukhtar Shah, 6/19/21 at 8:30pm
A flyer was placed on WhatsApp.
Please stay healthy.Mukund Mehta, President
April 3, 2021
718 450 1829 (C)
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