Jayanti Oza
CHICAGO: The General Meeting of Indian Senior of Chicago was held on Saturday 14th August 2021 at Mahalakshmi Hall of Manav Seva Mandir with close to 200 members and guests attending it.
The start was with the recitation of religion prayers and Hanuman Chalisa followed with Secretary Hirabhai Patel outlining the details of the program.
On the occasion of Rakshabandhan Parva, seven sisters tied Raksha sutra to seven brothers. Bhupendra Suthar recited verses for Rakshabandhan in a classical manner and Mrs. Panna Shah sang the song ‘Bhaiya Meri Rakhi Ke Bandhan Ko Nibhana’ in beautiful tones.
Janmashtami Parva was celebrated by the president Dr. Narasinhbhai Patel and invited guests. Shri Krishna Bhagwan’s Aarti was recited and ‘Om Jai Jagdish Hare’ was sung.
The seniors whose birthday falls in the month of August were called on the stage and were given greeting cards by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Manav Seva Mandir Shri Bhaskarabhai Patel. Members sang ‘Bar Bar Din ye Aaye Tum Jiyo Hazaro Sal and Happy Birthday To You’ to the group and wished them a happy birthday.
India’s 75th Independence Day was celebrated in a grand manner. A parade of 12 members was organized under the leadership of Bhupendra Suthar. The participants wore clothes that matched the colors of the national flag. From the entrance of the temple to Mahalakshmi Hall came the parade chanting slogans of patriotism.
The national flag was hoisted by honored guest Dahyabhai Prajapati He saluted the tricolor. Then the national anthem ‘Janganaman Adhinayak…’ was sung while all members stood up. The whole hall was abuzz with slogans like ‘Vande Mataram’, ‘Bharat Mataki Jai’, ‘Shahido Amar Raho.
Bhupendra Sudhare sang ‘Apni Azadi Ko Hum HargizBhulaSakteNahi’ in a loud voice. Mrs. Hemaben Rana also sang ‘Aao Bachcho Tumhe Dikhaye Jhanki Hindustan Ki’. Thus, India’s 75th Independence Day was celebrated with much fanfare.
Arvindbhai Kotak cut some jokes and made all the members laugh. President Dr. Narasimhabhai Patel wished Happy Independence Day, Rakshabandhan and Janmashtami to all present. He welcomed presidents of various organizations and other invitees and thanked them. Dayabhai Prajapati was also thanked for the donation he made for the program. He appealed all to stay mentally and physically healthy and safe from corona.
Jairam Patel introduced and welcomed Swami Chidananda Saraswatiji and Sadhvi Bhagwati Saraswatiji of Parmarth Niketan Ashram, Rishikesh. Sadhvi Bhagwati Saraswati gave detailed information about her book “Hollywood to Himalayas, a journey of Transformation”. Swami Chidananda spoke about the spiritual message of Sadhvi Bhagwati Saraswatiji and the impact of Indian culture on her life.
Swami Chidananda Saraswatiji blessed the seniors and congratulated them on the occasion of India’s Independence Day. He appreciated PM Shri Narendra Modi for his work and vision he in leading India. He applauded Indian culture and the spirit of ‘Vasudev Kutumbakam’ way of thinking. He gave many illustrations of the power of devotion and explained the importance of service to society. He said that life is blessed if it can be useful to others. He said seniors are the mentors of the society.
He advised we all must resolve to sustain the motherland, its culture, the food, hymns and language. He pitched have to commit to save the culture of India. The event ended with Dayabhai Prajapati’s thanksgiving ceremony on behalf of Manav Seva Mandir followed with a delicious meal served.
