“Aging is not ‘lost youth’ but a new stage of opportunity and strength.”
PRESIDENT’S REPORT # 85 & 86 - Mukund Mehta
Dear Friends:
The following are brief reports of the Zoom meetings held on May 13 and May 15, 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 MAY 13TH MEETING:
The meeting started with a prayer by Mr. & Mrs. Himatbhai & Hiraben Parekh.
In his welcome address, President introduced and thanked Dr. Vasundhara Kalasapudi, (generally known as Dr. K.), Executive Director, India Home Inc., for addressing our members on housing matters. Her brief profile is attached.
(i) Dr. Vasundhara Kalasapudi’s Presentation:
Dr. Vasundhara Kalasapudi, who had recently addressed our members on Co-living and Co-housing, revisited today and elaborated, through slides presentation, on social aspects for promoting housing for community by encouraging community investment. India Home, a pioneer in caring for seniors, aims to create innovative, affordable and culturally-sensitive housing for them.
Dr. K.’s presentation centered around several alternatives for financing for housing projects. The resourceful presentation will be useful to the Zoom viewers and their relatives and friends.
She named a few companies including Calvert wherein investors buy notes ranging from $100 – $1,000, which the company in turn invests in housing to help community. She also discussed at length social-impact investment models such as Shared Equity, Syndication and Real Estate Investment Trusts (RIETS).
Shared Equity Investment enables a first time home buyer, who meets prescribed income criteria and completes the requisite education course, to own a home with initial investment of $40,000 with interest- free financing by Shared Equity Companies such as Unison and JVB Bank in PA. In return, the investing company gets back initial investment and shares a percentage of future appreciation or bears a share of loss if there is decline in property value. Shared Equity primarily contributes towards down payment. NYC is interested in exploring new models of community wealth building and ownership through Shared Equity.
Dr. K. discussed investment through Syndication which can be through business models such as partnership, corporation or RIETS that collectively raises funds from several sources for initial investment. She gave an example how the Empire State Building was brought through a syndication. She also explained investment raised by different types of RIETS.
Potential home buyers who meet certain financial criteria and complete a requisite course may be able to get a government grant. For more information, please contact Chhaya Community Development Corporation, a social service organization based in Jackson Heights, Queens (718 478 3848).
Dr. K. appealed community members to invest in community-based housing projects. Professionals and businessmen who are short of time invest through one of the above vehicles and participate as silent partners. Her well-researched presentation was appreciated by about 250+ viewers (150+ Zoom logins). The slides presentation was facilitated by Ms. Shaaranya Pillai, Deputy Director, India Home.
Thereafter, Mrs. Kavita Shah, Creative Aging Director, India Home, explained the Housing Survey and requested viewers to fill it out and submit in order to determine the culturally-sensitive housing needs of seniors as well as to submit a summary of the results to governmental agencies for housing grants. The Survey, which is voluntary and non binding, is absolutely confidential which is received and tabulated at India Home. Indo-American does not get any information of those who submitted surveys. The following is a link to India Home’s Housing Survey:
https://forms.gle/
Feel free to forward this survey form to friends and family members. Your responses will help the process of bringing housing equity to the older adult community.
Please feel free to reach out to Shaaranya Pillai at (917) 834-7895 with any questions.
Our member Mr. Ashok Sheth informed viewers about helpful community-based financing available from Indian banks such as Bank of India, Bank of Baroda and State Bank of India. Thanks Ashokbhai.
(ii) Musical Program:
Our member Mr. Bharat Goradia , Cultural Ambassador between India and the U.S., is marching on by bringing competent artists to our Center for the benefit of seniors. Today’s musical event is his fifteenth program he has arranged since the onset of the pandemic. We appreciate his time and efforts for rendering selfless and complementary services and for tapping his contacts to provide famous artists at a nominal cost to our Center. He has been a recipient of a coveted Presidential Award from AAPI National body representing 100,000 Indo-American doctors. Congratulations Bharatbhai.
Bharatbhai introduced versatile singer Priti Gajjar, a playback singer credited with countless number of songs, albums and shows and a recipient of numerous awards, who kicked off with Lord Ganesh Stuti followed by a barrage of songs including Piya To Se Naina, Main To Tum Sang Naina, Teri Aankho Ke Siva Duniya Men, Aap Ki Nazron Ne Samjha, Tari Aankhno Afini, Jalaram Dekha Sab Kuchh Mein Ram, O Mere Sona Re, Tune O Rangile Kaisa Jaadu Kiya, Ajeeb Dastan Hai Yeh Kahan Shuru, Pan Lilun Joyun Ne Tame Yaad Avya, Humen Aur Jeene Ki Chahat Na Hote, Kabhi Kabhi Mere Dil Mein, Waqt Ne Kiya Kya Haseen Sitam, Tere Bina Zindgi Se, Saagar Kinare Dil Ye Pukare, capping with a bhajan Vithal, Vithal Vithala.
(iii) Contributions:
Our thanks to the following members for their generous donations:
Sudhir & Mandakini Makim. $101
Manjulaben Sakaria. $101
(iii) Pankajbhai Parikh, VP, appealed viewers to participate in the upcoming Housie games starting May 23rd and informed about memberships.
Jitubhai Zaveri, Jt. Secretary, provided information about future programs.
A Vote of Thanks by Himatbhai Parekh.
2. THE MAY15TH MEETING:
The meeting started with a prayer by Mr. & Mrs. Bipinbhai & Kashmiraben Shah.
In his welcome address, President referring to the divergent views expressed on mask wearing by CDC and NYS/NYC governments urged viewers to take enough precautions. We’re thankful to today’s sponsors Chandrakantbhai & Bhanuben Shah. (A brief profile is attached).
(i) Musical Program:
The SurSangam Group of Nagpur, led by Sachin & Surabhi Dhomne, entertained viewers for two and a half hours with Sweet Memories of Yesteryears with a Navkar Mantra followed by evergreen songs including Tu Mane Bhagwan Ek Vardan, Mein Shayar To Nahin, Jhoom Jhoom Ke Nacho, Tere Mere Sapne, Masti Bhara Hai Sama, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, Piya Piya Piya Mora, Aane Se Uske Aaye Bahar, Piya Tose Naina Laage Re, Mana Ho Tum Behad Haseen, Gun Guna Rahe Hai, Aaja Re Pardeshi, Dekha Hai Teri Ankhon Mein, Wada Karle Sajna, Gata Rahe Mera Dil, Chhelaji Re Patan Thi, Chala Jata Hoon Kisi Ki, Dil Deewana, Jab Koi Baat Bigad Jaye, Aye Meri Zohra Jabeen Tujhe Malum Nahi, among others.
Viewers enjoyed the SurSangam’s orchestra and Dr. Manoj Salpekar’s anchoring.
(ii) Grocery Distribution in Nagpur:
A display of a video by SurSangam for grocery distribution in Nagpur, initially conceptualized by our members Chandrakant & Renuka Shah and Dilip & Rekha Tolat, touched hearts of viewers and drew a wave of pledges amounting to about $ 6,000 as per a list separately posted on WhatsApp. Thanks to pledgers.
(iii) PowerPoint Presentation:
A PowerPoint Presentation, prepared by Jyotindrabhai Patel, of sponsors Chandrakantbhai & Bhanuben Shah on their 55th wedding anniversary with family photos celebrating a cake cutting ceremony was displayed drawing best wishes and speeches from relatives, friends and well wishers. Congratulations.
Also shown were photos of wedding anniversary couples of Naresh & Smita Shah (50 years), Ramesh & Rasila Shah (50 years), Narendra & Illa Butala (50 years) and Shantu & Tejal Gohil. Congratulations.
(iv) Contributions:
Thanks to Narendrabhai & Illaben Butala for a donation of $51 on their wedding anniversary.
(v) New Members:
We welcome new members Drs. Sunil & Urmila Shah, NJ.
(vi) Pankajbhai Parikh, VP, requested members to participate in the Housie games starting from May 23rd and furnished details of membership.
A Vote of Thanks by Dr. Sunil Shah.
3. The Computer Class:
Prof Rajasekhar Vangapaty is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Computer Technology Course for Senior Members
Time: 10:30 am 5/16/21 Sunday Class
Time: 10:30 am 5/16/21 Sunday Class
Join Zoom Meeting
https://indiahome.zoom.us/j/
Meeting ID: 981 1412 6485
Passcode: 748339
4. The Yoga Class:
Our member Rupaben Dharia’s lYoga 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, May 18, 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:
Niranjan Patel, Secretary, provided details of future programs.
Please note the ID and Password for the programs (i) through (v).ID: 516 607 5252
Password: 5252
(i) 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.
(ii) Housie Game:
A Housie game is planned on Sunday, May 23, 2021 at 2:00pm.
(iii) Pujya Shri Giriraj Shastriji’s Presentation:
Shri Shastriji’s presentation on पितृ देवो भव: is planned on Thursday, June 17, 2021 from 10:30am to 12:00pm.
(iv) Father’s Day:
Father’s Day celebration, sponsored by Chandrakantbhai & Manjulaben Patel, is planned on Saturday, June 19, 2021 at 10:30am. Details to follow.
(v) Vishnu Sahasranam:As advised earlier, Dr. Narendra Bhalodkar’s program on Vishnu Sahsranam is on every Monday from 9:45am to 11:45am/12:00pm. His next program will be on Monday, May 17, 2021.
(vi) 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
(vii) Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan:
A Journey to Shanti Niketan program is scheduled from Saturday, May 15, 6:30pm through May 16, 2021, 11:30pm:
Parikh Geetmala’s musical program is planned on Sunday, May 16, 2021. Flyer is attached.
(ix) Bhajan Sandhya:
Brahmin Society of New York has planned a monthly Bhajan Sandhya on Sunday, May 16, 2021 at 10:30am. A flyer was placed on WhatsApp earlier.
(x) VTNY- SCC’s Program:
A Gujarati drama Vevai Vs Vevai is planned on Sunday, May 23, 2021 at 6:00pm. A flyer is attached.
(xi) Jain Senior Group (JSG):
Jain Senior Group has planned a Musical program by Mukhtar Shah, 6/19/21 at 8:30pm. A flyer was placed on WhatsApp earlier.
Please stay healthy.
Mukund Mehta, President
May 15, 2021
718 450 1829 (C)
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