“Aging is not ‘lost youth’ but a new stage of opportunity and strength.”
PRESIDENT’S REPORT # 78 & 79 - Mukund Mehta
PRESIDENT’S REPORTS
HAPPY RAM NAVMI
Dear Friends:
The following are brief reports of the Zoom meetings held on April 15, and April 17, 2021. Proceedings of the meetings were 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 displayed by Jyotindrabhai Patel, Past President of GSNY. Thanks to all.
1. THE APRIL 15TH MEETING:
The meeting started with a prayer by Atul & Dr. Swati Mehta.
President welcomed viewers and requested to observe a moment of silence to pay tribute to our member Mr. Dineshbhai Parmar who passed away last Friday. Our condolences and sympathies to Mrs. Kusumben Parmar and family. May God rest his soul in peace.
(i) Dr. Vasundhara Kalasapudi’s Presentation:
While welcoming viewers, President thanked today’s speaker Dr. Vasundhara Kalasapudi, (aka Dr. K.) Executive Director, India Home, Inc. for sparing her valuable time and championing an evolving topic of co-housing and co-living for the aging population. He introduced the speaker. (Profile attached.) India Home is at the forefront to promote the concept of co-living and co-housing.
Dr. K. congratulated our Center for its myriad of activities and hailed it as a unique organization run by seniors for the seniors since last 25 years without any grants from the Government.
With an objective as to how to age gracefully, Dr. K. highlighted a plethora of statistics relating to aging seniors stressing the dire necessity of facilities to alleviate loneliness and isolation and how to provide a happy, healthy and meaningful life.
Dr. K., with the aid of several slides, succinctly highlighted the concept of innovative, affordable and culturally sensitive housing facilities for the aging population in the Western and Eastern hemispheres. She analyzed and explained how coliving and cohousing satisfy the basic, psychological and self-fulfillment needs of people by culturally designed shared housing to accommodate groups with common language, food habits and values. Showing coliving models with accompanying amenities, she analyzed costs of coliving which are half the costs of traditional living. The proposed facilities are neither nursing homes nor assisted living quarters.
Thereafter, Dr. K. explained about cohousing comprising of independent homes with shared facilities of kitchen, recreation, fitness centers, etc. where seniors have privacy of their own homes and enjoy common facilities.
Dr. K. discussed the financing of the housing projects by community, and assistance available under several programs of NY City/State, Federal Government and various Foundations.
India Home has prepared a Housing Survey for seniors to determine their interest in affordable housing. Please fill it out by clicking the following link:
Viewers very much appreciated and thanked Dr. K. for her in-depth and well-researched discussion of the subject. Though the lecture was in English, viewers grasped important elements and concept of the emerging topic. Mrs. Kavita Shah, Director of Creative Aging, India Home, adroitly translated the main features of the talk in Gujarati. Thereafter, interesting Q&As followed. For further queries, she was gracious enough to share her email vasundhara@indiahome.org
(ii) Musical Program:
Mandeep Devashryee from Ahemedabad once again entertained our viewers, this time accompanied by Pinkey Patel, for more than an hour and a half with Bollywood songs. Our member Pankaj Devashrayee introduced the singers.
The duo primarily sang love songs of Mohammed Rafi sprinkled with some numbers of Kishore Kumar and Mukesh. Mandeep’s father also joined. Starting with Rafi’s song of Mein Kahin Kavi Na Ban Jaoon, followed by Ye Sama Sama Hai Ye Pyar Ka, Chand Si Mehbooba Ho Meri, Ye Raatein Ye Mausam Nadi Ka Kinara, Do Dil Mil Rahe Hain, Bahut Pyar Karte Hai Tumko, Ek Ajnabee Haseena Se Mulakat Ho Gai, Ek Pyar Ka Nagma Hai, Lag Jaa Gale, Isharon Isharon Mein, Pehla Nasha Pehla Khumar, Chura Liya Hai Tumne, Waada Raha Sanam Honge, Tune O Rangile Kaisa Jadu Kiya, Gulabi Aankhe Jo Teri Dekhi, and Gujarati song Chelaji Re Patan Thi Patola Mongha Lavjo.
Viewers applauded the singers’ performance.
(iii) Contributions:
We are thankful to Satishbhai Gandhi and Shobhaben Gandhi for their generous donations of $251 each for their birthdays. Happy Birthday to both of them.
(iii) Announcements:
Pankajbhai Parikh, VP, updated the Housie game information stating the first game on Sunday, May 23, 2021 from 2:00pm to 5:00pm. He also appealed viewers to become members.
Niranjanbhai Patel, Secretary, provided details of the future programs.
A Vote of Thanks by Naliniben Somaiya.
2. THE APRIL 17TH MEETING:
The meeting started with a prayer by Drs. Virendra & Nalini Juthani.
Viewers joined in Ram Dhun Shree Ram Jay Ram Jay Jay Ram in celebration of Ram Navmi prior to the start of the meeting.
President wished everyone Happy Ram Navmi and thanked today’s three sponsors (a) Mukund & Padma Mehta commemorating 50th anniversary of her father Jethalal M. Parekh who passed away on Ram Navmi 50 years ago (b) Drs. Shyam & Maya Rao as Ram Navi is birthday of her Mom Laxmiben N. Barot and had she been alive that would have been a 100th one and (c) Chandrakant & Renuka Shah in celebration of her birthday who was born on Ram Navmi day, a few hours before the birth time of Shree Ram.
(i) Musical Program:
The SurSangam Group of Nagpur, led by Sachin & Surabhi Dhomne, entertained viewers with a raft of bhajans and songs on Ram Navmi for more than two and a half hours. Dr. Manoj Salpekar aptly anchored the program and congratulated Chandrakant & Renuka Shah as recipients of the recent Kashi (KIIFFA) award for the best Indian American couple.
Starting with Lord Ganesh Stuti, the melodious bhajans and songs included Ram Katha bhajan by Luv & Kush, Mangal Bhavan Amangal Hari, Hanuman Chalisa, Jag Mein Sunder Hain Do Naam, Ram Naam Ki Loot Hai, Bachpan Khel Mein Khoya, Shri Ram Chandra Krupalu Bhajman, Sukh Ke Sab Saathi, Tera Ramji Karenga Beda Par, Jaise Suraj Ki Garmi Se, Ram Na Milenge Bina Hanuman, Hey Ram Hey Ram Tu Hi Mata Tu Hi Pita, Payoji Maine Ram Ratan Dhan Payo, Ram Chandra Kah Gaye Siya Se Aisa Kalyug Aayega, Ramji Ki Nikli Sawari, Ram Charan Sukhdai Bhajman, among others.
At noon time, Lord Ram’s birthday was celebrated followed by Aarti Kunj Bihari Ki.
Viewers applauded SurSangam’s performance.
(ii) Dr. R. P. Shah’s Drama:
We’re pleased that our member Dr. R. P. Shah, a virtuoso actor, acted in a drama on Saturday, 4/17/21. A link will be provided as soon as it is available.
(iii) Contributions:
Our thanks to Pradip & Meena Zaveri for their donation of $101.
(iv) New Member:
We welcome a new member Ms. Purnima Mody.
A Vote of Thanks by Dr. Virendra Juthani.
3. The Computer Class:
Please note this Sunday’s Computer Class details
Topic: Computer Technology Course for Senior Members
Time: This is a recurring meeting 4/18/21 at 10:30 am
Join Zoom Meeting
https://indiahome.zoom.us/j/
Meeting ID: 981 1412 6485
Passcode: 773831
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 20, 2021.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, 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:
Jitendra Zaveri, Jt. Secretary, provided details of future programs.
Please note the ID and Password for the programs (i) through (vii).ID: 516 607 5252
Password: 5252
(i) Music Programs:
Music programs are planned between 12:00pm to 1:00pm by singer Tanmayee Mohapatra on Thursday, April 22 and by singer Ipshita Roy on Thursday, April 29, 2021, both arranged through Bharatbhai Goradia. Programs for 10:30am to 12:00pm will be announced later.
The April 22, 2021 program is sponsored by Mr. Jayantibhai Shah to celebrate his 50 years in the USA.
(iI) Music Program:
A music program by Dhomne Group, sponsored by Rajni & Dr. Jyoti Gandhi, is planned on Saturday, May 1, 2021. Details to follow.
(iii) 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.
(iv) Music Program:
A music program by Dhomne Group, sponsored by Chandrakant & Bhanuben Shah, is planned on Saturday, May 15, 2021 at 10:30am. Details to follow.
(v) Bhajan Program:
A bhajan program by Varsha Joshi, sponsored by Mrs. Hemaxiben Parekh, is planned on Thursday, May 20, 2021 between 12:00pm to 1:30pm. A program for 10:30am to 12:00pm will be announced later.
(vi) Father’s Day:
Father’s Day celebration is planned on Saturday, June 19, 2021 at 10:30am. Details to follow.
(vii) 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 19, 2021.
(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) Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan:
Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan has arranged Geet Gagan Na Gashun on Sunday, April 18, 2021. Flyer was placed on WhatsApp earlier.
(x) Music Program:
Parikh Geetmala’s musical program is planned on Sunday, April 18, 2021 at 10:30am. A flyer is attached.
(xi) FIPA’s Gala Event:
Federation of Indian Physicians Association has planned a gala event on Sunday, April 18, 2021 at 7pm. A flyer was placed on WhatsApp earlier.
(xii) Consulate General of India:
A program dealing with OCI, Passport, Visa, etc. is planned on Monday, April 19, 2021 at 6:45pm. A flyer is attached.
(xiii) Ram Navmi Celebration:
Mrs. Amita Amin has planned a Ram Navmi celebration on Wednesday, April 21, 2021 at 7pm.
ID 946 7328 1424
Passcode 171207
(xiv) Programs of VTNY and/or SCC of VTNY:
(xv) Gujarat Day:
GSNY is planning to celebrate the Gujarat Day on Saturday, May 1, 2021. Details to follow.
(xvi) Gujarat Day:GONA USA is celebrating Gujarat Day on Saturday, May 1, 2021 depicting Gujarat darshan with well known artists. A flyer was placed on WhatsApp earlier.(xvii) 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 17, 2021
718 450 1829 (C)
Sent from my iPad