Suresh Bodiwala
CHICAGO: The Senior Friendship Group Chicago, welcomed the New Year 2023 with enthusiasm by celebrating 74th Republic Day of India and Makar Sankranti during its Annual New Board Commencement event on Sunday Jan 15 2023 at Golf Maine Park District (Kathy Hall), in Niles, a Chicago suburb The celebration was attended by a large number of members and was made memorable with religious festivities and patriotic fervor.
Running for the past 3 years, the group has made a lot of progress in the last two years under the leadership of President Harshad Parekh along with the supporters can legitimately take pride for this.
Pinky Thakkar started the program with Shri Ganesh Aarti followed by Yamunashtakam and Hanuman Chalisa. The Thakkar family is big supporter of Senior Friendship Group Chicago.
On the occasion of Republic Day, they paid tribute by singing the National Anthems of India as well as the US. On the occasion of Makar Sankranti, everyone remembered the festival as per the Indian tradition with different types of Chikki and Mamra Ladoo and had a lot of fun taking different photographs in the beautiful attires and tri-color decorations.
President Harshad Parekh acknowledged the generous donors who had supported the group throughout the year. Ritaben Shah started with Ganesh Sutati and Bhadraben shah sang devotional songs.
The new group members and other special guests joined the celebration.
Other distinguished guests who attended the event were the well-known vocalist Rita Shah, and the known anchor Prachi Jaitly. Prachi Jaitly along with her husband presented a bouquet and a scrumptious cake to Pinky Thakkar while Rita Shah sang a melodious song
After the cake-cutting ceremony, there was a musical song dance Karaoke session led by Pinkyben Thakkar and her good friend Richa Chand. They both sang the famous Bollywood fun songs. Everyone danced together and rejoiced.
The program concluded with a delicious Kathiawadi meal followed by more dancing that included garba and musical entertainment.
