2021 Celebrations of the Center:

PRESIDENT’S REPORTS

Dear Friends:

The following are brief reports of the Zoom meetings held on Sunday, May 23 and Thursday, May 27, 2021. Proceedings of the May 27th meeting’s part 1 relating to Dr. Vipul Patel’s presentation (part 2, for music, being worked) recorded by Jyotindrabhai Patel have been placed on YouTube by Pankajbhai Parikh, VP. The meetings were anchored by Pankajbhai Parikh, hosted by Jagdishbhai Patel, V.P.-PR, and co-hosted by Niranjanbhai Patel, Secretary. Thanks to all.

1. THE MAY 23RD MEETING:

The Housie meeting started with a prayer by Mr. & Mrs. Nitin & Smruti Shah.

In his welcome address, President wished good luck to Housie players in the kickoff game, the first of a total five games. Pankaj Parikh, VP, assisted by Niranjan Patel, Secretary, conducted the game.

There were three prizes ($60, $40 and $20) each for 1st line, 2nd line, 3rd line and four corners, and four prizes ($200, $150, $100 and $50) for full Housie.

Participants enjoyed the game. Congratulations to winners whose names were placed on WhatsApp. The next Housie game is expected to be in June/July.

A Vote of Thanks by Mr. Ajit Marfatia.

2. THE MAY 27TH MEETING:

The meeting started with a prayer by Mrs. Purnimaben Desai.

In his welcome address, President thanked Dr. Vipul Patel for spontaneously agreeing to give a presentation at a short notice which depicted his love and affection for seniors.

(i) Dr. Vipul Patel’s Presentation:

Dr. Vipul Patel, Oncologist & Hematologist, (profile attached), discussing on The Year of Covid-19 and Relationship of Diabetes and Hypertension, encompassed the situations that prevailed from the onset of the pandemic, to its spread, and to the introduction of vaccines. The pandemic period is underpinned by weight gain, infections, loss of motivation, anxiety, mental and emotional trauma. His practical suggestions were to do exercise, go for walking, wear masks, socialize, and “do your best and forget the rest.”

Dr. Patel explaining at length Type 1, Type 2 and Gestational diabetics, described causes, symptoms, and remedies for the disease and strongly recommended checking blood sugar (A1C: normal 5.7, pre-diabetic 5.7 to 6.4, and diabetic 6.5 and above), controlling diet, exercise, and visits to primary care physicians so as to reduce heart attacks, strokes, eye, dental and foot problems. He recommended using jaggery (Gol) instead of sugar, avoiding excess calories, trans fat, saturated fat, and forming a habit of reading of food labels.

Discussing about Hypertension (blood pressure), Dr. Patel reminded that the ideal numbers are Systolic 120 or less and Diastolic 80 or less. Essential causes of hypertension include salt, abnormal arteries, stress and genetic disorder whereas secondary causes include health condition , certain medicines, recreational drugs, pregnancy, aging, obesity, physical inaction, alcohol, smoking, birth control pills and family history. Symptoms include headache, fatigue, confusion, vision impairment, chest pain, irregular heartbeats, breathing, and blood in urine.

Dr. Patel recommended using avocado oil, virgin coconut oil, grape seed oil, extra virgin olive oil for frying, ghee, and avoiding oils such as canola, mazola, sunflower, soybean, peanut and GMOs.

Interesting Q&As session followed. Dr. Patel concluded his presentation with the maxim “Health is Wealth.” Viewers appreciated Dr. Patel’s use of slides, and his eighty-minute down-to-earth Gujarati presentation in a layman’s language.

(ii) Music Program:

Ms. Rupali Venugopal, a Bollywood singer, accompanied by Dr. Tushar Patel, entertained viewers with a variety of songs.

Mr. Bharatbhai Goradia, a Cultural Ambassador between the U.S. and India, had arranged today’s musical program, the sixteenth since the onset of the pandemic, and has been anxious to bring more talented artists in future at a nominal cost to serve the interests of our seniors. It’s gratifying to know that the prominent Hindi newspaper in the U.S., Hum Hindustani, has adroitly summarized in six pages of its 5/21/21 edition (copy attached) the life and achievements of Bharatbhai. He has also been awarded a Certificate of Commitment by the World Book of Records, London. Congratulations Bharatbhai for your achievements and for your voluntary services to the Center.

Bharatbhai introduced Ms. Rupali Venugopal, the classical singer whose patriotic song of Vande Mataram at the age of 12 was appreciated by the legendary Lata Mangeshkar. Rupaliji as well as Dr. Tushar Patel entertained viewers for more than an hour and a half with a variety of songs including Jyoti Kalash Chhalke, Tum Hi Ho Mata, Ajeeb Dastan Hai, O Sajna Barkha Bahar, Piya Tose Naina, Ehsan Tera Hoga Mujh Par, Dil Ki Nazar Se, Jhuki Jhuki Si Nazar, Chura Liya Hai Tumne, Ek Pyar Ka Nagma Hai, Jab Koi Baat Bigad, Lag Ja Gale, Kisi Raah Mein, Raat Ke Hamsafar, Dil Mera Dhadke, and Nazar Jo Teri Laagi, among others.

Viewers applauded singers’ melodious voice.

(iii) Nagpur Food Distribution:

Contributions have surged to $8,000. Sachin Dhomne briefed regarding the food distribution. During a video conference initiated by Sachin yesterday, we had a chat with Shri Nitin Gadkari, Minister for Road Transport & Highways and the Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, when he appreciated helping hand given by our members for the local people through Sachin.

(iv) Mrs. Rupa Dharia:

Our member Mrs. Rupa Dharia has been conscientiously and regularly giving her voluntary services as a Yoga teacher to our members (60 to 70) on Zoom every Tuesday and Friday throughout the pandemic period. Since she will be preoccupied with her classes for three days a week elsewhere, her classes for our members will be only on Fridays effective next week. We appreciate Rupaben’s dedication and thanks for her punctuality – गुरु देवो भव.

(v) Dr. Nalini Juthani:

Dr. Nalini Juthani, 75, has one more feather in her hat as she along with her grand daughters, Piya Juthani Karthikeyan, 11, and Ishani Juthani Mehta, 20, has published this month a book, Three Generations Together in Thoughts: A Collection of Stories, available on Amazon.

Rightly said, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Congratulations to the trio!

(vi) Our Members on Radio Zindagi Program:

Parker Jewish Indian Cultural Unit members Rekha Tolat and Mukund Mehta will participate in the Radio Zindagi program scheduled on Monday, May 31, 2021 at 1:00pm. A flyer is attached.

(vii) New Members:

We welcome the following new members:

Yogesh & Darshana Shah
Kaushik & Mayuri Shah

(viii) Contributions:

Our thanks to the following members for their generous contributions:

Sheela & Dinesh Shah $101
Nilaben Sutariya 101

(ix) Pankajbhai Parikh, VP, informed that 22 winners got prizes totaling $1,000 on the first Housie game on May 23rd, the next of the remaining four will be on Sunday, June 27 at 2:00pm. He briefed about the Janmastami Mahotsav starting 8/12/21.

A Vote of Thanks by Mrs. Bhartiben Parikh.

3. The Computer Class:

NO CLASS ON SUNDAY DUE TO THE LONG WEEKEND. ENJOY!

4. The Yoga Class:

NO MORE CLASSES ON TUESDAYS.

Yoga class is going in full swing as about 60 to 70 families participate on Zoom. The next class is on Friday, June 4, 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=d1preTlFMng5NXBQdFlKVjVqenh5Zz09

Meeting ID: 728 015 4731
Passcode: 2007

6. Future Programs:

Niranjan Patel, 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) Mr. Dev Gohel’s Presentation:

Mr. Dev Gohel’s presentation on long term care/Medicare/Medicaid is planned on Thursday, June 3, 2021 from 10:30am to 12:00pm.

Thereafter, a musical program by Kavita Murti will follow (arranged by Mr. Hemant Shah).

(ii) Mrs. Preety Sengupta’s Presentation:

The globe trotter Mrs. Preety Sengupta will discuss her interesting travels to South Africa and other nations on Thursday, June, 10, 2021 from 10:30am to 12:00pm.

Thereafter, a musical program by Sagotra Family, Mumbai, (arranged by Bharatbhai Goradia)

(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 Musical Program:

A musical program by Mayuri & Rocky Patalia’s orchestra celebrating Father’s Day, sponsored by Chandrakantbhai & Manjulaben Patel, is planned on Saturday, June 19, 2021 at 10:30am. (The orchestra arranged by Bharatbhai Goradia).

(v) The Housie Game:

The next Housie game is planned on Sunday, June 27, 2021 from 2:00 pm.

(vi) Janmashtami Mahotsav:

Janmashtami Mahotsav Celebration is planned for four Thursdays, August 12, 19, 26 and September 2, and four Saturdays August 14, 21, 28 and September 4, 2021. Details to follow.

(vii) 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 31, 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) Music Program:

Parikh Geetmala’s musical program is planned on Sunday, May 30, 2021
at 10:30am. A flyer is attached.

(x) Gujarati Literary Program:

Gujarati Literary Academy of North America has planned a literary program Vagishvarinun Karnphool on Sunday, May, 30, 2021 at 11:30am EST. A flyer is attached.

(xi) Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan:

A special offer is made to enjoy Memorial Day weekend with top Bollywood and Gujarati movies and dramas by Shemaroo. A flyer is attached.

(xii) Jain Senior Group:

Jain Senior Group has planned Jitubhai Dwarkawala’s program on Saturday, June 5, 2021 at 9:00pm. A flyer is attached.

(xiii) VTNY-SCC’s Program:

A spectacular program of Folk Dances of India is planned on Sunday, June 6, 2021 at 8 pm. A flyer is attached.

Please stay healthy.

Mukund Mehta, President
May 29, 2021

718 450 1829 (C)

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