2021 Celebrations of the Center:

PRESIDENT’S  REPORTS

 

                                             MERRY CHRISTMAS 


Dear Friends:

The following are brief reports of the Zoom meetings held on Thursday, December 16, and Saturday, December 18, 2021. The meetings were anchored by Mr. Pankaj Parikh, VP, and hosted by Mr. Niranjan Patel, Secretary. A PowerPoint presentation was prepared by Mr. Jyotindra Patel, Past President of GSNY. Proceedings of the meeting will be placed on YouTube by Mr. Jagdish Patel, VP-PR.  Thanks to all. 

Thanks to Bank of Baroda as a Grand Benefactor for Silver Jubilee Celebrations 2021-2022. Also thanks to our member Mr. Ashok Sheth for liaising with the Bank. 

 

THE DECEMBER 16TH MEETING:

The meeting started with a prayer by Dr. Maltiben Masrani.

 

President welcomed members and cautioned them to avoid large gatherings due to the fast-moving Omicron variant. 

 

1. (i) Ms. Vaidehi Jokhakar’s Presentation:

 

Ms. Vaidehi Jokhakar who had addressed our members in the past revisited and made a presentation on Chronic Stress and the Body. President introduced Ms. Jokhakar (profile attached), a healthcare social worker and a cofounder of Mind the Gap Initiative (MGI), a Section 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. She explained the mission of MGI, aimed to build partnerships with community-based organizations like IASCCOFNY, and advocated the need to educate mental health literacy. 

 

Ms. Jokhakar distinguished short term acute pain from long term chronic pain. Short term pain stemming from individual events like traffic irritation or arguments could be temporary and sometimes could be beneficial and motivational. Long term pain is constant in nature involving psychological and physical damage. Internal stress arises from self-induced thoughts such as something is going to happen or what will happen next; whereas external stress could come from negative life events. Regardless of the type of stress – – all have impact on body which could be musculoskeletal, respiratory, endocrine, nervous system, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal.

 

Mental Health America lists a 16-question quiz to identify stressors and stress screener.  Key to reduce stress is to get involved in social activities, have a positive attitude, exercise regularly in the form of Yoga, meditation and walking, help others and engage in activities like writing and deep breathing. There are professionals help lines 800 NYC WELL and 800 273 TALK. 

 

Useful websites, emails and a phone number given by Ms. Jokhakar: 

 

 

 

Email: vjokhakar@mindthegapinitiative.org

 

 

Viewers applauded Ms. Jokhakar’s presentation. Her slides show was helpful to grasp the nuances of the subject. The Q&A session was educative and informative. 

 

(ii) Musings:

 

Since some extra time was available prior to the start of the next musical programs, Mukund Mehta described some of the experiences encountered  during international travels in Rio de Janeiro (Argentina), Russia and Beijing, Ashok Shah explained on Geeta and Geeta Jayanti, Jagdish Patel cracked some jokes and Pankaj Parikh shared his experience of cunning practice of selling of pant pieces by a street vendor in Bombay. 

 

(iii) Musical Program:

 

The singer Pranita Deshpande from Mumbai, who has been visiting USA for about 25 years for her shows, entertained viewers for an hour and a half with Bollywood songs and Gujarati Geets. The program was arranged through our member Mr. Hemant Shah who introduced her (profile attached). Thanks Hemantbhai. 

 

Pranita Ji sang several Bollywood songs including Ae Malik Tere Bande Hum, Aaiye Meherbaan Baithiye Jaane Jaan, Babuji Dhire Chalna, Kaisi Paheli Zindagani, Tumhein Dekhti Hoon To lagta Hai Aise, Na Jane Kyon Hota Hai Ye Zindagi Ke Saath, Unchi Talawadi Ni Kor Re Pani Gyata, Mehendi Rang Lagyo, Ye Sama Sama Hai Pyar Ka, Mohe Rang Do Laal, Kuchh Dil Ne Kaha, Agar Tum Saath Ho, Ae Dil Mujhe Bata De, Shola Jo Bhadke, and Mera Naam Chin Chin Chu, among others. 

 

Viewers appreciated her melodious voice and selection of songs. 

 

(iv) IASCCOFNY Website: 

 

Mukund Mehta announced the launching of the Center’s website designed by Prof. Raj. The website contains a plethora of information about the Center’s mission, executive committee, volunteers, a library of weekly meeting reports with an index (about 130),  lists of Prathna singers (more than 100) and those who proposed a Vote of Thanks (more than 100), our partner India Home, Contact information, etc. The inclusion of a Search tab is very useful to retrieve prior reports in seconds. Each weekly report can be viewed by clicking on the items listed in the index. The website will obviate the necessity of sending out more than a thousand emails for each meeting, the task which was of late volunteered by Jitendra Zaveri, Jt. Secretary, and his wife Rita Zaveri. 

 

The website will be expanded to include an online membership form, a photo gallery, an announcement page, suggestions box, etc. Viewers are requested to have a look at the website www.iasccofny.org and offer comments for its improvement. 

 

We’re thankful to Prof Raj for designing the website and showing to Zoom viewers highlights of the website. He has experience in the development of websites for various organizations. FYI, he conducts computer classes on Sunday and through the courtesy of India Home, our members take advantage of the classes. 

 

(v) New Members: 

 

We welcome the following new members:

 

Kishor & Bharti Doshi

Jagat & Vina Shah

Minaxi N. Shah

Nalini N. Shah

 

(vi) Humanitarian Duty:

 

On the sad demise of our member late Rajesh Doshi, his wife Shobhanaben contacted Eye Bank in a timely manner and donated her husband’s eyes which gave eyesights two blind people in their 60’s. For the first time, they saw their family members, friends and the beauty of the world! What a wonderful humanitarian duty performed by Shobhanaben under grieving environment. She appealed Zoom viewers to spread the message which will be of immense help to blind people. Thanks Shobhanaben for your thoughtfulness. 

 

(vii) Happy Birthday:

 

Viewers wished a Happy Birthday to Rameshbhai Shah, Treasurer, who contributed $101 and to Mrs. Shailaben Patel, the wife of Jagdish Patel, VP – PR, who contributed $251 towards a co-sponsorship for the December 18th Christmas program. 

 

(viii) Announcements:

 

Pankajbhai Parikh, VP,  provided details of the Alaska cruise, the availability of cruise forms and the facility given by our member Anuj Doshi of A&M Pharmacy on Hillside Ave (thanks Anujbhai), and submission of forms to Niranjan Patel, Secretary. 

 

Niranjan Patel, Secretary, provided details of future programs of the Center. 

 

A Vote of Thanks by Mukund Mehta in lieu of Dr. Maltiben Masrani. 

 

2. THE DECEMBER 18TH MEETING:

 

The meeting started with a prayer by Mr. & Mrs. Kulinbhai & Radhikaben Parikh. 

 

President wished Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to viewers. Last Christmas we celebrated on Zoom and it was hoped that this year it would be in person. Alas, that did not happen and again this year’s celebration continued to be on Zoom. Let’s hope for the best next year. 

 

(i) Sanjeevani Ji’s Orchestra:

 

Many viewers were seen in their red attire befitting the occasion of Christmas. The entertainment by the musical virtuoso Sanjeevani Ji Bhelande was a hit whose melodious voice led to viewers dancing. The program was arranged through our member Mr. Hemant Shah who introduced her (profile attached). Thanks Hemantbhai.

 

Sanjeevani Ji’s orchestra remembering Lord Ganesh kicked off with a Stuti Gan Deva, Gan Deva followed by an array of Bollywood songs including Jyoti Kalash Chhalke, Phoolon Ke Rang Se, Yeh Dil Aur Unki Nigahon, Main Zindagi Ka Saath Nibhata Chala, AageBhi Jaane Na Tu, Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke, Ye Raat Bheegi Bheegi, Medley of Hawa Mein Udta Jaaye, Jiya Beqarar Hai, Mujhe Kisi Se Pyar Ho Gaya, Meri Aankho Mein Bas Gaya, Chhod Gaye Balam, Patli Kamar Hai, Barsat Mein Humse Mile Tum, Raat Bhi Hai Kuchh Bheegi Bheegi, Pyar Deewana Hota Hai, O Mere Dil Ke Chain, Mohe Panghat Pe, Piya Tose Naina Lage Re, Ye Chand Sa Roshan, Saranga Teri Yaad Mein, Kahin Yeh Woh To Nahin, Chandan Sa Badan, Kya Se Kya Ho Gaya, O Mere Sanam, Is Mod Se Jate Hain, O Sajanaa Barakhaa Bahaar Aayee, Patan Thi Patola Mongha Lavjo, Zindagi Ek Safar Hai Suhana, and Lag Ja Gale, among others. 

 

Viewers revved Sanjeevani Ji’s melodious voice and selection of songs. 

 

(ii) PowerPoint Presentation:

 

A PowerPoint Presentation, prepared by our member Jyotindrabhai Patel, was displayed honoring today’s sponsors which included Grand Sponsor Mr. & Mrs. Arvind & Kalpana Dharia (in celebration of grand daughter Kamrin’s first birthday), Sponsor Rajendra & Kokila Shah, and Co-Sponsors Dr. Vasundhara Kalasapudi & Dr. Srinivas Rao, and Mr. & Mrs. Jagdish & Shaila Patel. All sponsors were introduced (profiles attached) who in turn addressed viewers. Viewers are requested to view the video placed on YouTube for complete details.  

 

(iii) New Members: 

 

We welcome the following new members:

 

Mr. & Mrs. Vinod & Neela Shah

Mr. & Mrs. Suman & Shila Rabadia

 

(iv) Announcements:

 

(a) Mukund Mehta reminded viewers (i) to visit IASCCOFNY’s recently launched website www.iasccofny.org and (ii) to submit their nominations for EC membership by 12/20/21.

 

(b) Pankajbhai Parikh, VP, updated information about the Alaska cruise and urged members to read carefully details provided earlier before they call him. Thanks to our member Anuj Doshi of A&M Pharmacy (Hillside Ave) for providing cruise forms to members. 

 

(c) Happy Birthday to our members Dipak Mehta and Rajesh Shah. 

 

A Vote of Thanks by Niranjan Patel, Secretary. 

 

2. The Computer Class:

 

Prof Rajasekhar Vangapaty is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Computer Technology Course for Senior Members
Time: This is a recurring meeting 10:30 am Sunday 12/19/2021 

Join Zoom Meeting
https://indiahome.zoom.us/j/98114126485?pwd=cEJrcXhhcExWMkFza3FZSlZ1UTMrZz09

Meeting ID: 981 1412 6485
Passcode: 343687

3. The Arts Class: