VGP USA President Naren Patel, VGP Global President Krishnakant Vakharia and Emcee Sonal Patel
He also wanted VGP to be an essentially broad based entity in the sense that all those who either resided, were born or raised in Gujarati could be members of the body and help promote its ideals of Jyan Jyan Vase Ek Gujrati Tyan Tyan Sadakal Gujarat (Wherever there is a single Gujarat in any part of the world there will be always a Gujarat there). Gujarat is not a geographical entity but a cultural one and it needs to be viewed with this perspective as it would help all Gujaratis to preserve and promote with cultural entity rather that limit their loyalty to physical entity, he told this paper in an interview.
Vakharia, a practicing senior Advocate in Gujarat High Court Bar for more than 57 years, was in Chicago to attend the annual celebration of Diwali hosted by Vishwa Gujarati Samaj USA at Waterford Banquet Hall in Elmhurst Friday October 28. Vakharia and Kusum Vyas, the Joint General Secretary traveled from India to join the celebration. The event was attended by VGS members, invitees and guests numbering over 300.
It started with social hour at 7 am and lasted till well past 10-30 pm. The event was well organized and there was not a dull moment. The formal speeches were kept to the minimum and the entertainment program with a lot of Gujarati folk dance and songs kept the audience glued to their seats
Hitesh Master and his orchestra conducted music for Garba, Bhajan, melodious Bollywood and Gujarati Lokgeet while local artists presented Raas Garba and other Bollywood film dances.
It was the traditional Deep Lighting Ceremony with the chief guest VGS Worldwide President Krishnakant Vakharia joined by VGS USA President, Naren Patel, Hiren Patel [NRB Bank] Mafat Patel, Neal and Raj Patel from Medstar Laboratory, Dinesh Gandhi, Beena Patel, Sonal Shukla, Vinod Parikh, Kishore Chugh and Dr. Yash Amin. They extended Happy Diwali and Prosperous New Year greetings to all those present. Nishal Patel, the grandson of Naren Patel came up on stage to enlighten the audience about what Diwali truly represents. The event was elegantly emceed by Sonal Shukla, an official of VGP USA.
Naren Patel in his brief address recounted the achievements of VGP USA and assured that it would to do better in coming days with the help of all Gujaratis. “Our first get-together and music program was held at Waterford which again was followed up with the grand celebration of Swarnim Gujarat in May 2010. Subsequently with co-operation of Indian Consulate, we organized Bhavai program that proved a super hit. This was the first Bhavai Show performed in Chicago,” he said.
He thanked the main sponsors Hiren Patel of National Republic Bank, Mafat Patel of Patel Brothers along with Rakesh and Swetal, Neal and Raj from Medstar Laboratory besides many others. He ended his speech with, “Enjoy the traditional Gujarati food, cultural program, and music from Hitesh Master.”
The traditional Garba was performed by age group of 8 to 10 year girls with “Dudhe Te Bhari Talavdi Ne, Moti De Bandhi Pal Re”. The participants were Shriya Patel, Riya Patel, Ishani Majumdar, Mona Panchal, Maya Tanna, Karina Dharia, Roma Nayak and Isha Nayak. The Garba was choreographed by Dr. Sonal Patel, followed by Chicago Dhamal group dance.
Sumptuous Kathiawadi dinner and music program lasted until wee hours of late night.
Vishwa Gujarati Samaj is a worldwide organization established about 25 years ago. VGS, USA chapter started with President Naren Patel in 2009. VGS, USA has achieved a great name recognition and growth in a short period. VGS, USA memberships for a couple have been only $100 for five years.
The members have been reaping great benefits throughout the years due to free shows and events by VGS, USA. From this year, Vishwa Gujarati Samaj USA is charging $100 per couple for two years.
Ramesh Soparawala & Suresh Bodiwala
