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New Delhi, 5th April, 2012: Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh said that Global threat of terrorism and nuclear power faced by us can be solved by following Lord Mahavir philosophy of Peace and Non-Violence. Prime Minister was addressing the gathering on the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti Celebration in the auspicious presence of founder of Ahimsa Vishwa Bharti the renowned Jain Acharya Dr. Lokesh Muni at his residence 7, Race Course Road , New Delhi . He said that Lord Mahavir gave the message of Unity in Diversity. Following his teachings our country has the sacred culture of tolerance and non-violence, giving due respect to diversity and multiplicity is part of our culture and civilization. We have to strongly maintain this heritage. I am delighted to say that Acharya Lokesh, keeping this culture alive has played an important role in solving tension between different communities many times. For his remarkable contribution Government of India honored him with ‘National Communal Harmony Award 2010’. Followers of his teachings Jain Community is a very peace loving community, Jain Community has played an important role in development of nation and society. Prime Minister further said that Lord Mahavir has associated religion with spirituality. I believe […]

Chicago IL: HTGC celebrated Ramanavami, the three day Janmotsav festival in gaiety and faith. The celebrations marked the culmination of nine day-long-auspicious Chaitra navaratra festival with Ram Katha discourse by Pundit Ram Parsad Sastri and Sundara Kanda paarayanam by Priest Narasimhacharyulu. Sundara Kandam comprising of 2885 shlokas or verses is significant in the entire Ramayana. Sage Valmiki speaks about the achievements of Hanuman (also known as Sundara), whose attitude always reminds us self-confidence, faith and devotion to Rama, fearlessness and trustworthiness. Reading one chapter or sargam of Sundara Kandam is equal to chanting Gayatri japam 1000 times. The power of Rama Nama Japa is well known to all. Our Priest Sri Krishnarajan narrated – In the epilogue to the great Vishnu Sahasra Nama, Parvathi asks Lord Shiva: How do the wise chant the thousand names in brief? And Lord Shiva responds with the well-known couplet “Sri Rama Rama Rameti, Rame Raame Manorame” Rama Nama, he says, is singularly equal to the thousand names. In Ashtaakshari “Om namo NaaRaarayanaaya ‘ Raa’ is the Beejaakasharam . Similarly Ma is Beejasksharam in Shadaskshari “Om NaMashivaaya. The two Beejaaksharaas together is” Raama”. Letter ‘ Raa’ has a value of 2 and letter Ma has […]

Chicago IL: The 2012 Ugaadi and Sri Ramanavami cultural event organized by the Tri State Telugu Association (TTA), Chicago, on 5:00PM, April 7, 2012 at Hindu Temple, Samarathi Auditorium, 10915 Lemont Road, , Lemont, IL under the leadership of TTA Board of Directors, was a feast to the eyes and kept the audience interested from start to the end. The spirit of ‘Spring festivities’ and ‘Life and teaching of Lord Rama’ was brought forth in vibrant colors with the cultural program. TTA victoriously celebrated this event that presented a multi-talented, multi-faceted cultural program of dances and inspiring music. The Samarathi Auditorium at the Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago (HTGC), Lemont, was packed with over 500 art lovers. Amazing performances by the local talent with a rainbow of flavors ranging from Classical to semi-classical dances, theme based productions on “Spring Celebrations & Stories on Lord Sri Rama” as well as movie dances kept the crowds mesmerized the entire duration. The cultural show started with a beautiful rendition of ‘Upanishads’ followed by ‘Sri Rama Kalyanam Song’ by about 25 participants of Prajna – Vedic School of JET USA. This was followed by ‘Panchanga Sravanam’ – Predictions for the year according to Telugu […]

Chicago IL: Sita Rama Kalyanamahotsavam was held at Chinmaya Mission Chicago, Yamunotri Center on Saturday April 7, 2012 located at 30877, N. Fairfield Rd., Grayslake, IL. The event was presided by Swami Sharadananda (resident Acharya) and Sita Rama Kalyanam ceremony was performed by priest Srihari Samudrala and supported by local devotees. Bala Vihar children performed a beautiful Dance/Drama “Sampoorna Ramayana”. Over 400 people attended this event. The program started on time at 8-30 am with Shree Sita Rama Kalyanamahotsava Puja- Celestial Wedding Ceremony of Lord Rama and Sita Devi. Thereafter procession of Sita Rama was taken out in grand manner. Resident Acharya Swami Sharadananda delivered a short yet meaningful sermon. Cultural Program by the Balvihar Children depicting important episodes from Ramayana was beautifully presented. The program ended with sumptuous yet simple Lunch. Significance of Sita Rama Kalyanam In the Hindu religion, Lord Rama and Mother Sita are known to be the incarnation of Lord Vishnu and Lakshmi. The divine couple were born on Earth to expunge frightful enemies that cannot otherwise be overcome. The Kalyanamahotsavam of Lord Sri Rama with his consort Mother Sita is celebrated on the holy occasion of Sriramnavami which falls on ‘Chaitra Shuddha Navami ‘ the […]

Chicago IL: The students from the Indian Students Association (ISA) at the University of Illinois at Chicago presented a beautiful Cultural Show that showcased dance styles prevailing all across India and featured other talents as well such as singing on Saturday, the 31st March, 2012. Dance and Music program was held at the UIC forum in auditorium. This year, the show’s theme was “The Beginning of the End. It all ends on 3.31.12, are you ready?” Along with Bollywood Music, the show was fused with mainstream hits by American artists that helped to define this growing generation of Indian students. Family and friends of performers packed the UIC Forum on campus for the show. The auditorium was hustling with excited Parents and Friends of the performers and invites. The show featured acts such as the Jungli Jawanis, M6 Crew, Brownwashed, Pyaar Mein Twist 2, Dhalumni, Sandburg Fusion, UIC Nazaara, Chicago Dhamaal, Dilinois, UIC Dangeraas and UIC Bhangra. Many were from other Chicago universities like DePaul also. The show had twelve main acts. Most of the teams were not exclusively UIC students and so many of the acts had students that belonged to different Chicago universities like DePaul. Along with the […]

Chicago IL: When planning a wedding, the cultural traditions have to be handled perfectly and this requires a significant amount of effort, creativity and planning. It includes preparation, managing timelines and checklists, coordinating wedding day activities and putting them all together can be quite an overwhelming process especially when you intend for it to be a major occasion with different number of elements and thousands of minute details. There are many aspects and facets that need to be considered to accomplish a Wedding. It includes renting a hall of appropriate size with required amenities, designing decorations centered around the theme of the wedding, coordinating flowers arrangements, Mandap decorations, table cloth, chair and napkin design/color, finding a DJ, selecting the entertainment, jewellery, clothes, selection of food menu for different wedding events, preparing the guest list, their local accommodation, organizing transportation for guests etc. With a view to get an amicable solution and make life easier for anxious and apprehensive parents of bride and groom, an annual Bridal Expo was organized by the owners and employees of India House on Sunday, the 25th March, between 12-00pm to 6-00 pm at India House, 1521, W Schaumburg Rd., Schaumburg IL. It was planned and […]

The message of Mahatma Gandhi to be shared by children from the slums of Gujarat through dance and music in 10 major US cities Ahmedabad, India, March 22, 2012 – EKATVA (www.ekatva.org) is an experiment to touch the lives and spirit of 16 underprivileged children ages 11 – 15 through dance, music and art, while inspiring the souls of thousands across the world. Sixteen children from some of the largest slums of Ahmedabad, Gujarat were selected through a nine month audition process, and have been trained and developed by mentors from Manav Sadhna (www.manavsadhna.org), a non profit based at the Mahatma Gandhi Ashram, and teachers from Darpana Academy (www.darpana.com) to perform a 90-minute dance-drama production sharing Mahatma Gandhi’s message of ‘Oneness’. After a successful tour throughout India, The EKATVA show and tour will begin touring the United States on May 6, 2012. The show will be performed by the children in the following cities/venues (visit www.ekatva.org for event registration and ticket information): May 6, 2012 Sunday – Chicago | The Athenaeum Theater May 12, 2012 Saturday – Chicago | Glenbard East High School May 16, 2012 Wednesday – Washington, DC | Preston Auditorium May 17, 2012 Thursday – Washington, DC […]

New Brunswick, NJ: This was the twentieth year presentation of Naya Andaz Dance competition. NAYA ANDAZ is the brainchild of 1947 Production & Entertainment, Inc., a U.S. based production house. Both the show and the company have continually grown with each other. The years of continuous enthusiasm and zeal is reflected in the quality of the show, which has bettered with each year. Team Naya Andaz hosted the unparalleled, spectacular 20th Annual Naya Andaz Dance competition at the most prestigious and popular State Theater, New Brunswick, New Jersey on the evening of Saturday, March 24th. Bollywood’s internationally renowned luminaries and celebrities, gorgeous actress Manisha Koirala as Chief Guest, and Legendary choreographer, producer, and director Farah Khan as the Guest of Honor, all attended this sold out show. Petite, beautiful Kavita Kaushik (FIR – Serial famed) wonderfully hosted the entire 4 hour long show with her talents, artistic brilliance and grace. Also veteran Nisha Mathur (AVS Channel host) lent her experience and expertise in co-hosting this increasingly popular and demanding show. The highlights of this 20th annual show are plenty and note worthy. Every year the participating groups exhibit a wide range of artistic brilliance, enthusiasm, grit, determination and an immense […]

Chicago IL: A trendy night club in the heart of downtown Chicago, Excalibur, became the hub for Yoga Rave, the counter party of the year. 800 plus participants rocked out to mantras and music from the Argentinean band, So What Project!, on a seven city tour to the United States for the first time. An unprecedented event, where the only high in the jam packed venue came from dancing, meditation and yoga. Yoga Rave was organized by the International Association for Human Values to benefit their inner city schools ‘Yes! For School’ and the ‘Prison Smart’ programs. The organizers said that they wanted Yoga Rave participants to experience a natural high, in an alcohol free, smoke free environment. Certainly, that goal became a reality, for all to witness as the crowds danced wildly to the beats of the high decibel Argentinian band, flowing into Meditation and Yoga. Yoga Rave was a unique celebration that took the crowd from movement to stillness and back, giving the word celebration a new dimension. Participants described the event as “history in the making,” and a “miracle.” As the jam packed venue rocked out to music and wild dancing, a casual observer might have mistaken […]

Chicago IL: Mahendra Ramanlal Mehta, a pioneer in the legal profession, passed away on March 29, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois, USA after a brief illness. Born in 1930 in Godhra, Gujarat, Mahendrabhai was a renouned legal scholar specializing in Immigration law, a philanthropist and a community leader with membership in various professional and community organizations. The second eldest son of Ramanlal and Kamalaben Mehta, he worked hard and obtained a law degree at a young age of 32 from L. A. Shah Law College in Ahmedabad, India. In 1956 he married Shankutala Parikh and had two children. In 1968, he immigrated to the USA, starting his career in the New York City working, learning and gaining experience in US legal system. Due to his fast learning ability and his immeasurable, impressive knowledge of the law that he acquired in a brief period in the US, he was granted an unrestricted law license in Illinois without formally attending a law school or appearing for the Bar examination; this was a rare exception granted to only a few with his kind of expertise and knowledge. After briefly working in Chicago Title and Trust Company, he opened his law practice in 1973. His […]