“Aging is not ‘lost youth’ but a new stage of opportunity and strength.”
PRESIDENT’S REPORT # 81 & 82 - Mukund Mehta
PRESIDENT’S REPORTS
Dear Friends:
The following are brief reports of the Zoom meetings held on April 29 and May 1, 2021. Proceedings of the meetings were recorded and promptly placed on YouTube by Jagdishbhai Patel, VP- PR. The
Dear Friends:
The following are brief reports of the Zoom meetings held on April 29 and May 1, 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 prepared by Jyotindrabhai Patel, Past President of GSNY. Thanks to all.
1. THE APRIL 30th MEETING:
1. THE APRIL 30th MEETING:
The meeting started with a prayer by Drs. Lila and Mahendra Shah.
While welcoming viewers, President requested them to observe a moment of silence to pay tribute to our member Shri Bhagavatibhai Shah’s son Jignasu, 49, who passed away yesterday due to Corona. Our sympathies and condolences to the family. May God rest his soul in peace. Condolence messages may be sent at bhagavati_s@yahoo.com
Shri Jayantibhai Shah, paying tribute to his nephew Jignasu, urged viewers to obey the CDC guidelines.
(i) Ms. Vaidehi Jokhakar’s Presentation:
President introduced speaker Ms. Vaidehi Jokhakar (profile attached), a healthcare social worker and a cofounder of Mind the Gap Initiative, a section 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Her presentation on “Manage with Covid Trauma by Caregivers and Care Receivers” highlighted problems emanating from Corona.
Overwhelmed by the sad news resulting from the pandemic and compounded by the closure of adult day care centers and the pathetic situation of nursing homes, caregivers and care receivers face mounting problems which often lead to depression, anxiety and uncertainty. In addition to the time devoted with care receivers, the caregivers have to juggle with their own family’s baffling problems which unfortunately impact adversely on their immunity system. Similarly, care for receivers who are disabled and vulnerable face immeasurable hardships when caregivers could not provide satisfactory and timely services. Moreover, anticipatory grief, anxiety disorder, persistent fear, and vicarious trauma take a heavy toll on mental illness.
Under such grim environment, Ms. Jokhakar emphasized the role played by our Center and other senior groups which promote socialization, advance community support and minimize isolation and loneliness. In addition, she suggested considering Yoga, exercise, respite option, back up arrangement with friends and families, and services of VNS, 24/7 Home Care. She mentioned several governmental agencies for financial help and for managing trauma.
Viewers appreciated Ms. Jokhakar’s lucid one-hour presentation with the aid of impressive slides and satisfactory replies to various questions. She offers a full program spanning over four weeks through one hour Zoom sessions to each group of 15/20 people. She may be contacted at vjokhakar95@gmail.com and view activities of Mind the Gap Initiative at www.mindthegapinitiative.
(ii) Musical Program:
Our member Mr. Bharat Goradia, Cultural Ambassador between India and the U.S., arranged fourteenth program for the Center since the onset of the pandemic and introduced composer, choreographer and musical virtuoso Ms. Ipshita Roy who loved singing from age five. Bharatbhai renders selfless complimentary services to the Center by bringing artists at a nominal cost to the Center. Thanks Bharatbhai.
Ipshita Roy and Dr. Tushar Patel entertained viewers with a variety of songs including Ajeeb Dastan Hai Ye Kahan Shuru Kahan Khatam, Yeh Sama Sama Hai Ye Pyar Ka, Ye Raaten Ye Mausam, Ye Raat Bhigi Bhigi, In Aankho Ki Masti Ke, O Sajna Barkha Bahar Aayi, Deewano Se Yeh Mat Poocho, Chura Liya Hai Tumne Jo dilko, Mera Naam Chun Chun Chun, Mubarak Ho Sabko Sama Ye Suhana, Taaron Mein Sajke, Satyam Shivam Sundaram, Suhani Chandni Raaten, capping with Manzilen Apni Jagah Hain Raaste.
(iii) Other Items:
Pankajbhai Parikh, VP, briefed about the Housie games beginning May 23 and about memberships.
Jitendra Zaveri, Jt. Secretary, detailed future programs.
Jyotindrabhai Patel displayed a beautiful video of Gujarat Din showing famous and historical places which are dotted all over Gujarat.
A Vote of Thanks by Drs. Lila and Mahendra Shah.
2. THE MAY 1ST MEETING:
JAY JAY GARVI GUJARAT AND JAY JAY MAHARASHTRA DIN
The meeting started with a prayer by Rameshbhai & Darshanaben Lakhani.
In his welcome address, President thanked today’s sponsors Rajni & Dr. Jyoti Gandhi and described the dubious feeling until the last moment whether to proceed further or cancel today’s musical program due to the worsening situation prevailing in Nagpur. Finally, it was decided that the show must go on.
(i) Musical Program:
The SurSangam Group, led by Sachin & Surabhi Dhomne and anchored by Dr. Manoj Salpekar, entertained viewers (450+ zoom logins) for two and a half hours with musical virtuoso PadmaShri Shankar Jaikishan’s evergreen Sunaheri Yade songs selected from a list provided by sponsors Rajni & Dr. Jyoti Gandhi who dedicated the program to ARCH workers and all supporters in U.S.
The Group unleashed a series of songs including Tu Pyar Ka Sagar Hai, Awara Hun, Mera Juta Hai Japani, Ramaiya Vastavaiya, Barsat Mein Humse Mile Tum, Khuda Bhi Aasman Se, Mud Mud Ke Na Dekh, Mujhe Kisi Se Pyar Ho Gaya, Panchhi Banoo Udti Phiroon, Jhanak Jhanak Tori Baje Payalia, Pyaar Hua Iqaraar Hua, Ajib Dastan Hai Yeh Kahan Shuru, Dil Ka Haal Suneheri Dilwala, Yeh Raat Bhigi Bhigi, Nakharewali, Akele Akele Kahan Ja Rahe Ho, Ae Phoolon Ki Rani Baharon Ki, Mere Man Ki Ganga, Parde Mein Rehene Do, Aaja Sanam Madhur Chandani Mein Hum, Sau Sal Pahele, Yahoo Chahe Koi Mujhe Jungli Kahe, Badan Pe Sitaare Lapete Hue, Sayonara Sayonara, Jane Kahan Gaye Woh Din, Jeena Yahan Marna Yahan, among others.
(ii) Appeal for Donations:
Viewers were requested to donate generously for supplying Oxygen, medicine and other essential items to India to combat the Corona casualties. Contributions may be made to charities of their choice or alternatively to send checks payable to Gujarati Samaj of New York at the following address:
Mr. Mahesh Patel
Mr. Harshad Patel (Pakaji) explaining the urgency of the matter appealed viewers to donate generously.
(ii) New Members:
We welcome the following new members:
Heena Rajdeo, Kalyani Bhuta and Bipin & Veena Mehta.
(iii) Sitarist Rishab Sharma:
Sitarist Rishab Sharma, 23, who had performed twice at the Center, is contesting Hindustan Times 30 under 30 award for music. He appealed our viewers to vote for him. The last date for voting is Sunday, May 2, 2021. A voting link was placed earlier on WhatsApp.
(iv) PowerPoint Presentations:
Mukund Mehta introduced today’s sponsors Rajni & Dr. Jyoti Gandhi (profile attached) who addressed viewers highlighting the crucial and humanitarian role played by ARCH organization established by Dr. Anil Patel and late Dr. Daxaben Patel. Rajesh Patel, President of ARCH, Mahendra & Chhaya Patel, Sudarshan & Laxmi Iyengar and Ramesh Lakhani narrated Dr. Anil Patel’s sacrifice for the upliftment of Bhil Adivasis, ARCH history and objectives.
A PowerPoint presentation prepared by Jyotindrabhai Patel, showing photos of the sponsors was displayed. Also shown was an informative video clip of ARCH educating children.
An interesting video clip of Jay Jay Garvi Gujarat was shown.
A Vote of Thanks by Rameshbhai Lakhani.
3. Co-Living and Co-Housing Project:
Dr. Vasundhara Kalasapudi, Executive Director, India Home Inc., had given last week an interesting presentation on Co-Living and Co-Housing project. In order to determine the feasibility of the project, India Home is conducting a Housing Survey for seniors. The survey will be useful for our seniors as well.
Dr. Kalasapudi is expected to revisit shortly to explain the survey as well as to discuss financial matters associated with the housing project. In the meantime, please review the survey questions and get answers from Dr. Kalasapudi when she visits. FYI, the following information was included in our previous report:
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