Swami Purnatmanandji Maharaj lighting traditional lamp to start the event. Looking on among others are Exe Director Santosh Kumar and guests
The program that had its theme “Serving Seniors to Add Quality and Dignity to their Lives,” displayed a fine juxtaposition of unity and brotherhood among communities hailing from various South Asian countries and Europe – India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and East Europe. The program started with the lamp lightening ceremony by Swami Purnatmanandji Ji Maharaj of Aurora based Bharat Seva Samaj, and bhajan prayer by Nalini Parikh.
Opening the forum, Dr. Firdaus Jafri, president MAFS, thanked everyone for supporting MAFS and for taking its effort to next level. However, it was the guest speaker Michael Gelder, Senior Advisor to Governor on Health Policy who captivated audience with his speech. He eulogized services rendered by MAFS Executive director Santosh Kumar through various community oriented outreach programs.
Emphasizing various issues such as adult-care, homecare services, Mary Killough, CCP Program Manager IDOA, asked everyone to support MAFS and donate generously to carry its mission to next level. Later, addressing the audience Marlin Krolak, Executive Director DuPage Senior Citizens Council, stressed on realizing the importance of elderly parents in families and thanked Ms Kumar for moving ahead with such a noble mission.
Ms Kumar stole the limelight with her passionate exhorting of guests and members of ethnic communities attending the program to render their help to take this social entity to a newer height. Attended by over 1000 individuals, the event helped MAFS raise $70,000 but this was not enough looking to the ever increasing needs of the organization and expansion project that it plans for the coming years.
Santosh Kumar pitched that the financial part of the seniors benefiting from the programs of MAFS should be taken care of by other earning members and youngsters of the family. She requested them to spare 10 % of their income for MAFS by following the example of the Jewish community that makes provision in the will itself to spare 3 % of their property for the community. “This is the reason they never have to face a financial crisis,” she observed. On the other hand, the organizations like MAFS face acute shortage of funds. She expressed gratitude to the leaders and members of all communities for attending the function.
The other prominent speakers at the event were Greg Brownfield, candidate for State Rep, Guest Speaker Ms. Marta Pereyra, Executive Director CLESE, Guest Speaker Ms. Beth O’Grady, Former Executive director CLESE, Guest Speaker Vipul Shah, Vice president GOPIO, Guest Speaker Dr. Namarta Kundala, MD Northwestern University.
The other highlight of the event was award ceremony. The awards were presented to Ms. Mary Killough, Manager CCP, IDOA, Partnership Award to Ms. Marylin Krolek, Executive Director, DSCC, Community Service Award to Suresh Bodiwala, Chairman, Asian Media USA, Media Award to Ramesh Soparawala, Editor, India Post, Best Adult Daycare Director Award to Surendra Shah, Best Employee of the year Award to Gira Ethindra, Best Supervisor of the year to Afaanbhai Muhammad, Public Benefits Award to Hina Trivedi, Best Homecare Aid Award (Asian) to Madhu Adhuria, Best Kitchen Helper to Sumitra Patel, Ten year Homecare Aid Award to Smita Shah, Best Home Care Aid Award (European) to Rahima Forto, Best Driver to Mohammad Malkani, Best Food Service Award to Moneek Khan, Best Support Service Award to Julie Sun, and Volunteer Award to Harishji Mahajan.
The other attraction of the evening was a dazzling dance performance by Catherine Jafri and friends, who through their dashing and sizzling repertoires won over everybody present. Other exhilarating performances were pulsating numbers sung from Bollywood by Bhupendra Singh and Nalini Parikh which held the audience spellbound and sent the crowd into frenzy. Yet another attraction of the evening was a fashion show by RAAZ designers. Raj, Rekha Rabani, Shyamal and Bhumika have scorched the fashion barometer of the city with their haute and prêt collection. The evening concluded with vote of thanks by Nikunj Baxi.
Asian Media USA & Harish Rao
