“Aging is not ‘lost youth’ but a new stage of opportunity and strength.”
PRESIDENT’S REPORT # 95 and 96 - Mukund Mehta
PRESIDENT’S REPORTS
HAPPY JULY 4TH
Dear Friends:
The following are brief reports of the Zoom meetings held on Sunday, June 27, and Thursday, July 1, 2021. Proceedings of the meetings were recorded and will be placed on YouTube. The meetings were anchored by Pankajbhai Parikh, VP, hosted by Jagdishbhai Patel, VP-PR and co-hosted by Niranjanbhai Patel, Secretary. Thanks to all.
1. THE HOUSIE MEETING – JUNE 27:
The 3rd Housie meeting started with a prayer by Mrs. Illaben Butala.
In his welcome address, President wished good luck to Housie players in the third game of a total of 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 on July 25th.
A Vote of Thanks by Mr. Narendra Butala.
2. THE JULY 1ST MEETING:
The meeting started with a prayer by Kamalkantaben & Ashokbhai Shah.
President welcomed members and requested them to join in paying a tribute to Rukhmaniben Trivedi, 89, the mother of our member Ashaben Dharawat and a trustee of BSNY, who passed away in India. Condolences and sympathies to the family. May God rest her soul in peace. Condolence messages may be sent at ashadharawat@gmail.com
Members bade a fond farewell to Mr. B. Elango, CEO US Operations, Bank of Baroda, Grand Benefactor for the Silver Jubilee Celebration 2021-2022, who is being transferred to the Bank’s headquarters in Mumbai. He commended the Center’s progress and expressed good wishes for the future. President thanked him for the support given to the Center. Also, thanks to our member Ashok Sheth for liaising with the Bank.
(i) Debate on whether to buy a building:
Referring to today’s topic whether the Center should buy a building, President briefly reviewed pros and cons of rented facilities in the Hillside Avenue area for the pre-pandemic biweekly in-person meetings. Several members expressed their opinions weighing the benefits and burden of owning a building. Their major points:
Dilip Tolat: Management and maintenance by seniors difficult, higher down payment needed for nonprofit organizations, long term lease with GSNY, temples suggested.
Hemant Pandit: A committee of members to evaluate the feasibility of owning, rent out a building for income, next generation is not an issue.
Dahyabhai Patel: Unite all nonprofit organizations and own a huge property. If not possible, then the Center should buy.
Ashok Sheth: Long term lease for 3-5 years, raise funds and buy for long term advantages, form a committee for evaluation.
Mayur Trivedi: Buying is easy but maintenance difficult for seniors.
Dr. Saroj Shah: Seniors should enjoy the retirement life rather than shoulder tremendous responsibility of owning a building, lack of interest by the second generation to maintain it, potential law suits resulting from falls, consider leasing with existing facilities such as GSNY, building ownership not preferred.
Dr. Juthani couple: Management and maintenance problems, lack of interest by next generation, no headache in renting, long term lease preferred, seniors tend to downsize, owning jointly with other organizations not feasible, input by the next generation recommended. Later, Dr. Virendrabhai opined that the next generation should not be an issue since there is a constant inflow of new immigrants.
Niranjan Patel: Children of committee members can manage, studio for Zoom meetings preferable in owned building compared to rental facilities.
Ashok Gandhi: Invite children for their opinion.
Pankaj Parikh: The next generation should not be an issue since relatively young people like Jatin Dharia, Dr. Nilesh Soni, Dr. Himanshu Pandya can be of help. Also, owning a building preferable for assembly members for bus pickups, meetings, etc.
Jagdish Patel: Buy because the Center has resources, GSNY’s $2.5 million building now worth about $15 million, building committee can manage.
Ramaben Sampat: Buy, next generation is not an issue.
Ramesh Shah: Suggested to consider buying a petrol pump property on Lakeville Road with parking vacant for last few years, arrange interest free loans, rent out partial building.
Nayanaben Gandhi: Not in favor of buying, lack of interest by next generation.
Manohar Parmar: Prefers Zoom meetings.
Varshaben Parikh: Although facility near Hillside Avenue preferable but a building away from there should not be a problem. Don’t worry.
Pulin Bhatt: Owning is like a two sides of a coin, finance may not be a problem but maintenance is. Also, lack of interest by next generation.
Kishanbhai: The first generation of immigrants has common tradition and values but not so for the next generation. Seniors tend to downsize.
Haresh Sheth: Don’t buy land to build a facility since septic issues will prolong construction.
Rekha Tolat: Seniors are aging, the next generation has no interest.
Overall, there was a mixed feeling on the issue. There was no clear cut answer. President thanked them for their candid opinions.
(ii) Musical Program:
Neeti Gupte, 19, (profile attached) along with Dr. Tushar Patel, entertained about 250 (140 Zoom logins) viewers for an hour and a half with Bollywood songs. The program was arranged through Bharatbhai Goradia, Cultural Ambassador between the U.S. and India. Despite his busy schedule, he managed to arrange the nineteenth program for the benefit of seniors. Thanks to him for his selfless services.
Congratulations to Bharatbhai for receiving World Book of Records, London, Certificate of Commitment in recognition of valuable services rendered during the Covid-19 pandemic period. (Copy attached).
The pair sang a variety of songs including Lag Ja Gale, Ajeeb Dastan He Ye, Bahon Mein Chale Aao, Ye Samaa Samaa Hai Pyar Ka, Mera Pyaar Bhi Tu Hai, Jaane Kahan Gaye Woh Din, Do Lafzon Ki Hai Dil Ki Kahani, O Mere Sona Re Sona, Jhumka Gira Re, Na Jiya Lage Na, Tu Hi Meri Manzil, Jeena Yahan Marna Yahan, Holi Aayee Re, Yeh Raat Bheegi Bheegi, Sau Sal Pehle, Abhi Na Jao Chhod Kar, Chaudhvin Ka Chand, Kya Khoob Lagti Ho, Naam Gum Jaayega, capping with Mere Dholna Sun.
(iii) New Members:
We welcome the following new members:
Paresh & Shimul Shah
Lalitaben C. Mehta
(iv) Pankajbhai Parikh, VP, updated information regarding next Housie on 7/25th (50 participants, 25 prizes totaling $1,000 in 6/27th game), Picnic on 8/1st (no new names since full capacity), and Janmastami starting 8/12th.
(v) The 10-Year Rule:
The previous report dated June 26, 2021 covering Mr. Paresh Shah’s presentation inadvertently mentioned that the 10-year rule concerning the inherited IRA by children was under the Biden proposal. In fact, the rule, as mentioned by Mr. Paresh Shah, is the current tax law under President Trump’s The Secure Act. This was promptly brought to my attention by attorney Mr. Neel Shah, Esq., CFP, of Shah & Associates, P.C. Attorneys at Law, N.J. Thanks Neelbhai.
Note: Our member Avinashbhai Patel subsequently called suggesting grand children (instead of children) be named beneficiaries in inherited IRAs for tax planning purpose.
A Vote of Thanks by Ashokbhai Shah.
3. The Computer Class:
NO CLASS ON SUNDAY, JULY 4. HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY.
4. The Yoga Class:
NO CLASSES ON FRIDAYS. NO CLASS ON TUESDAY, JULY 2, 2021.
Yoga class is going in full swing as about 60 families participate on Zoom. The next class is on Friday, July 9, 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: 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) Inspirational Presentation:
Motivational speaker Dr. Darshnaben Thakker’s presentation सुक,,,,,on Thursday, July 8, 2021 from 10:30am to 12:00pm. Thereafter, a musical program by singer Rutu Patel is planned from 12:00pm to 1:30pm (arranged through Suhagben Mehta).
(ii) Musical Program:
A musical program by singer Sogata Chakrbarty is planned on Thursday, July 15, 2021 from 12:00pm to 1:30pm (arranged through Bharatbhai Goradia).
(iii) Reminiscing Binaca Geetmala:
A musical program by SurSangam Nagpur Group based on yesteryear-favorite Binaca Geetmala, sponsored by Parker Jewish Institute, is planned on Saturday, July 17, 2017 at 10:30am.
(iv) Housie Game:
A Housie game is planned on Sunday, July 25, 2021, from 2pm to 4pm.
(v) Picnic:
A picnic is planned on Sunday, August 1, 2021. Details forwarded on WhatsApp.
(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, July 5, 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
(viii a ) Bhavan’s Program:
Bhavan’s Cultural Center celebrates the 90th Birth Anniversary of Shri Kanti Madia with a 2 day Festival on Saturday, July 3 and Sunday, July 4, 2021. Pl click below for details of a drama and a Kavi Samelan:
(ix) Musical Program:
Parikh Geetmala has planned a musical program on Sunday, July 4, 2021. A flyer is attached.
(x) SCC of VTNY/VTNY/WOMEN WING:
Anand Bazar Funfare is planned on Saturday, July 10, 2021, 4pm to 7:30pm. A flyer is attached
(xi) Jain Senior Group:
Jain Senior Group has planned a musical program by Sanjeevani Bhelande on Saturday , July 10, 2021. A flyer is attached.
Please stay healthy.
Mukund Mehta, President
July 2, 2021
718 450 1829 (C)