CHICAGO: Over 500 people participated in offering felicitations to Dr Manu Vora for his excellent work for the blind in India and also to offer congratulations to Shalabh “Shalli” Kumar for his recent appointment as Chairman for Republican Hindu Coalition. He was appointed by US President-Elect Donald Trump.
The US Department of Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs has appointed Manu Vora as Fulbright Specialist. This event was organized by Bhartiya Senior Citizens of Chicago, a nonprofit and the largest seniors group in Midwest.
More than 70 association presidents were present to congratulate Dr Vora and Shalli Kumar.
The program began with Chicagoland singers like Jitendra Balsara, Nipa Shah, Rajesh Chalan singing old and new songs from Bollywood movies.
BSC Secretary Rakshika Anjaria began the program with Ganesh Vandana. BSC President Haribhai Patel gave details of the program and gave introduction about guests. Dr Manubhai Vora gave information about the Blind Foundation For India through slide presentation. Haribhai Patel (BSC President) presented Community Award to Manubhai Vora.
Dr Vora has been appointed for a five year term (2016-2021) as a Fulbright Specialist. He will be eligible to be matched with incoming project requests from overseas academic institutions for Fulbright Specialists. He is in USA since 1989.
The BFI’s mission is to prevent and cure blindness and educate and rehabilitate permanently blind people in India. India has over 15 million blind people amounting to 1/3rd of the world’s blind population. The BFI team has raised over $4 million to conduct 170,000 free cataract operations.
Among Community leaders present were Dr. Bharatbhai Barai, Chhotubhai Patel, Krishna Bansal, Brij Sharma, Yogesh Patel, Girish Kapoor, Dr. Umang Patel, Arjun Malavia, Gordhan Patel, Ravi Ravat, Nimesh Jani, Seth Lewis, Narendra Patel (KPS), Vinesh Virani (Art of Living), Samkanth Seth (VHPA President),Jitendra Diwarker, Sunil Shah, Nirav Patel, Purshotam Pandya (BSC), Niranjan Nathvani, Narsinh Bhai Patel, Raman Bhai Patel.
Jayanti Oza
