Category: Press releases

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 […]

Chicago IL: Manav Seva Mandir celebrated Ramanavami Festival on Sunday the April 1, 2012 at 101 South Church Road Bensenville, IL. from 9-00 am onwards. On this auspicious and joyous occasion, devotees of Hinduism are encouraged to aspire to emulate the ideal virtues of Lord Rama and chant ‘Shree Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram’ so as to get the most benefit from the principal Deity as well as to help one to worship the Deity on a continuous basis for furthering spiritual growth and experience. A week long deliberation started on the first day of Chaitra to the ninth day correspondingly known as Navratri, which was enthusiastically celebrated daily in the evening and on last day, Ramanavmi all the deliberations started from 11:00 am. Exactly at 12:00 pm Ram Janam was performed amongst loud cheering of the devotees, ‘Shri Ram Jai Shri Ram Jai Jai Ram”. There was a long queue for Darshan and thereafter, Mahaprasad was taken by one and all, where Farali and regular Prasad was distributed. Jaihind restaurant was the caterer. Importance of Ramnavmi: According to Dr. C.L.Shastri, the Chief Priest at Manav Seva Mandir, “ Bhagwan Shri Ram was Purshottam (Poornavtar). Maharshi Valmiki had created […]

Chicago IL: The Blind Foundation for India (BFI) hosted a Musical Program on Saturday, March 31, 2012 at the Avery Coonley Performing Arts Center, 1400 Maple Avenue, Downers Grove, IL The event “Sunehare Geeton ki Shaam, Ankhon ki Roshni ke Naam” was organized Dr. Manu Vora, Dr. Dipak Shah and Dr. Sheela Shah for the benefit of Blind Foundation for India’s projects in India. The program started with dinner from 6:30 – 7:30 pm and Musical Entertainment commenced at 7:30 pm. The evening program included Mr. Malik Miraj of Hyderabad, India, a winner of Laughter Channel, dance performances by Soorya Dance School of Northbrook, and melodious songs by Drs. Dipak and Sheela Shah. They were accompanied by Mr. Hitesh Master and Orchestra Sa Re Ga Ma. The purpose of the Music Program Sunahare Geeton ki Shaam , Aankhon ki Roshni ke Naam was to enjoy the evening of entertainment and provide a helping hand to improve the plight of over 15 million blind people in India. The cost of a Cataract operation in India is $20 as compared to $4,000 in the United States. The Blind Foundation for India (BFI) is a registered 501 (c) (3) charitable organization in operation […]

Chicago IL: Hari Om Mandir, celebrated Ramnavami Mahotsav whole heartedly on Sunday, the 1st. April, 2012 at 6N020 Medinah Rd, Medinah, IL. Prayers started on Saturday, 11:00am onwards and Ramayan Path reading was undertaken from 11:00am. Bhog Ceremony was on April 1st, 2012, when Ramjanam was celebrated at 12:00pm with Ram Dhoon ‘Shri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram’ and Bhajans. Aarti was done at 1:30pm and Ladoos were distributed to celebrate the occasion. Then all the devotees took Mahaprasad and dispersed chanting Shree Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram. Rajan and Aarty Singla, Sanjay and Shelly Gandhi, Raj and Meenu Jeethi, Hemant and Indhu Bhalla along with Tangri family did a wonderful arrangement for the Prabhu Ka Bhandara which went on for 24 hours. Ramnavami was celebrated on April 1st this year to proclaim the birth of Shree Ram, the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu. A major festival lasting 9 days will be celebrated all over India with many special events filled with religious fervor and gaiety. The most notable being the day-long readings of a 1,000 page poem from the Ramayana, a book about Shree Ram’s life. Other practices such as singing of hymns, reciting of Ramraksha Stotra […]

Bartlett, IL: Contributing to the worldwide commemoration of the 101st International Women’s Day, BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha celebrated its fifth annual Women’s Conference in Bartlett, Illinois on Saturday, March 24th, 2012. This year’s focus was on the ancient Hindu teachings of the four purusharths (goals of life), for women within the Indian-American community who work hard to balance various aspects of their personal, career, and social lives. BAPS hosted an engaging conference with panelists who shared pragmatic applications of the purusharth teachings. Many Hindu scriptures, including the Bhagvad Gita and Upanishads, speak of discovering a point of equilibrium and balance while making progress through different phases of one’s life. The conference presented the perfect opportunity for Indian-American women to coalesce these ageless values with practical scenarios from the twenty-first century. Following the theme of “Purusharth – Balanced Living,” experts ranging from college professors to healthcare professionals incorporated presentations discussing the four purusharths, namely Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha. Expressing her thoughts regarding the focus of the conference, event organizer Ms. Raina Barot noted, “This conference helped women attain balance in their life based on teachings of the four purusharths and aided them in the many roles they play in their lives.” […]

Chicago IL: Live 2 you organization Presented “A Tribute to Jagjit Singh” was held on March 23, 2012 at The Meadows Club, 2950 Golf Road, Rolling Meadows, IL. Jaswinder Singh, Young Ghazal Maestro has enthralled audiences. Jaswinder Singh literally mesmerized the enthusiastic crowd of more than 800 plus listeners for about 4 hours. Jaswinder Singh sang Ghazals and many Panjabi songs which rocked the crowd. Tickets rated from $30, $50 and VIP. The event was stunning as the classical music played by the trio was accompanied by applause for a considerable amount of time while they played. The audience was not only pleased with the performance, but appalled by the very elegance of each word sung, each note hit, each pounding of the Tabla, and each keystroke. Each member of the audience knew what to expect, but received much more than what they originally planned. Weather was very good on this sunny day and audiences started gathering right from 7:30 pm at The Meadows Club. Many prominent community leaders were present at this entertaining play. Sunil & Rita Shah, Noor & farida tejany, Mujeeb Ahmed, Dr Siraj Ahmed, Ketki Parikh, Mukarram Mahmood, Mohammed Nadeem, Sami Ahmed, Ramesh & Bharat Vitha, […]

Chicago, IL : Honorable Consul General of Islamic Republic of Pakistan Mr. Zaheer Pervaiz Khan celebrated National Day of Pakistan On Friday, March 23, 2012 with leading Chicago land entrepreneurs and citizens to honor the sacrifices of their freedom fighters who have fought and to remember the work of their Founding Father Jinnah, for giving to them a country where dignity and individual freedom is assured. Consulate General of Pakistan is located in the heart of downtown at 333, N Michigan Ave. This event was held between 6:00 to 8:00 pm. As usual a large number of Prominent Pakistani community Leaders Businessmen, Journalists, Citizens, Americans Politicians and invited guests gathered to celebrate Pakistan’s National day. This event was also attended by Ms Samreen Khan, Senior Policy Advisor, Office of the Governor, Ms. Vriti Jain, Representative of Office of Chicago Mayor and Ms. Pat Michalski from the Office of Cook County Treasurer, Maria Pappas as well as many members of the diplomatic community in Chicago, including Mrs. Mukta Tomar Counsel General of India. The event began at 7:00PM with welcoming speech, followed by Recitation from the Holy Qur’an (Mr. Mubasher Feroze). The Honorable Consul General saluted the Pakistan Flag. National Anthems […]

Chicago IL: The Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA), one of the leading forces in the hospitality industry organized Upper Midwest Regional Conference on Friday, March 16, 2012 at India House 1521 W. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg, IL from 12-00 Noon. Midwest Regional Conference was a complete success, over 250 plus people attended this trade show. There were many Dignitaries present including Raja Krishnamurti congressional candidate for election on March 20th, Bharat Patel, Girish Patel, Ramesh Patel, Mahendra Patel, Dilip Patel, Narendra Patel, Meena Patel, Ken Patel, Satish(Sunny) Gabhawala, Dinesh Gandhi, Naresh Patel, Jayendra Patel, Ashok B. Shah, Charlie Zimmerman Mike Patel, Sunil Shah, Pritesh Gandhi, John Trivedi,Niranjan Patel, Babu Patel, C.K.Patel,Ceirel Joseph, James Johnso, Vimesh Patel, Sam Lakhani, Jim Fogra, Hasan Merchant, Kishore Purohit, Babu Patel- Marsha, Nik Trivedi, Edward, Jyotindra Patel, Fredrick, Amin, Dinesh Gandhi, Devkaran Patel, Kiran C. Pandya, Vinod Patel, Subhash Bhatt, J.N.Bhatt Retd.Chief Justice of Bihar, Vipulbhai Shah, Manubhai Patel and many more. Educational Seminars were conducted between 1-00 pm to 3-00 pm that provided attendees with important information about operating hotels and protecting investments. All Seminars were very informative and people attended in large numbers. Three Seminars were based on these Subjects: ADA guidelines for […]

Chicago, IL: On Sunday March 18, at Shree Swaminarayan Mandir of Wheeling, President of the Temple, PP Nishkamswrupdasji Swami, PP Nirbhaycharandasji Swami, Chandrakant Modi MD, Suresh Bodiwala and in the presence of hundreds of devotees honored Mr. David Pimm, the president and funeral director of Bohemian National Cemetery ( BNC) located at 5255 North Pulaski Road in Chicago, Illinois 60630 for his outstanding service to people and in particular to the Indian Community. They said that Mr. Pimm had contributed to getting a dignified professional Funeral/Cremation of the person, at a very reasonable price. Elucidating the reason for the reward, Chairman and one of the Founding members of Indian Cremation NFP (Not For Profit) Dr. Chandrakant Modi, and president Mr. Suresh Bodiwala, explained that at the time of the death the loved one, the grieving family and friends have the stress and additional burden of choosing a place for cremation as well as dealing with the logistics of the funeral and cremation. This has to be done promptly while family is still grieving and under great stress. Certain funeral directors took advantage of this emotional state of grief stricken family’s circumstances and charged excessive amounts of money to perform the […]

Lemont IL: Love and enthusiasm to welcome spring and with warm temperature above normal in Chicago land brought over 3,500 people to celebrate Holi on Saturday March 10th, 2012 at Sri Rama Temple of Lemont IL. Holi also known as Dhuli Vandana in Sanskrit, is familiar to many as Dhuleti, Dhulandi, a rich Hindu culture celebrated at the end of winter season on the last full moon day of the lunar month Phalguna. Holi infuses vibrancy and enthusiasm, bringing excitement at palpable extremes to each one and every person celebrating the Mela. The broad smile, garish clothes and enthusiasm said it all. Holi celebrations at Rama temple brought out the best out from children and adults, families and friends, people known to each other and otherwise; applying the vibrant colors and wishing each other love, happiness and harmony. Holi celebrations were started early with a cultural program organized by Smt. Rupa Acharya (Cultural Chairperson, HTGC) and DJ Nilesh Patel. Children and young adults performed dances in groups for famous songs like Thug le and senorita medley, Holi Ayye Re, Crazy kiya re, Bindiya chamke gi, Natkut (Navarang) and many more that bring everlasting memories to one and all. All in […]

Chicago IL: Members of Indian Seniors of Chicago met at Manav Seva Mandir, Bensenville, IL on Saturday 10th March, 2012 at 11:30am. Around 135 members attended the meeting. The following four senior members Nalini, Gita, Hema and Ramesh started with prayer and Hanuman Chalisa and all the members followed them in singing. Shri CV Desai presented the detailed accounts for the month of February, 2012,and he also gave detailed information about the two days tour which is being organized on July 21st & 22nd 2012 to Maharishi Vedic City, in Fairfield, Iowa. Arvindbhai and Bhupendrabhai announced the names of seniors whose birthdays were in the month of March and they were given birthday greeting cards and booklets by the special guest, Shri Greg James and Bhupendrabhai. All the senior members collectively sang the song “Bar Bar Ye Din Aaye Tum Jio Hjare Sal, Happy Birth Day To You” and gave their blessings. Shri Bhailalbhai Patel gave introduction of the special guest Shri Greg James, Director of Expansion, Brahmanand Sarsvati Foundation ,Fairfield, IA. After that Shri Greg James explained the important activities carried out in Maharishi Vedic City, where the two days tour is organized. Secretary Shri Hirabhai gave the detailed […]

Aurora, IL: On Saturday, March 10, 2012, the Cultural Committee of the Sri Venkateswara Swami (Balaji) Temple hosted “RANG DE BASANTI – Festival of Colors – A Musical and Dance Extravaganza”. The event showcased various local Indian dance studios, as well as local instrumentalists and vocalists, to great fanfare and attendance. Holi is the celebration of the end of Winter and the beginning of Spring among Hindus, both in India and around the world. The SVS Temple chose to have this first-ever (and soon-to-be annual) event at the Sri Veluchamy Auditorium by showcasing premiere talent of children and adults throughout the Chicagoland area. The Cultural Committee of the SVS Temple would like to thank all of the performers that took the time and effort to prepare for the Program, as well as all of the ticketed audience who brought their enthusiasm and energy to the festivities. Each dance brought something special to the stage. The dance performances ranged from traditional harvestfolk songs, bharatanatyam, mini dance-dramas and modern movie-hit medleys, all themed around the change of season and paying homage the Lord Krishna. The dances were arranged and produced by the following dance schools around the Chicago area: Payaliya School of […]

Chicago IL: Manav Seva Mandir and Six Gam Patidar Samaj (SGPS) of Chicago, proudly presented a hilarious Gujarathi comedy drama, “Patni Nachave Bhagwan Bachave” on Saturday, March 10th, 2012, at Manav Seva Mandir, 101 South Church Rd, Bensenville, IL. Admission tickets were $20, $35, and $50. The show was house full with 700 plus people in attendance, jamming the auditorium at Manav Seva Mandir. Parimal Butala ( Kotyark Entertainment) is the national promoter of this play. Kotyark Entertainment is a company organizing various Bollywood and celebrity stage shows in all the states of USA. In the past, Kotyark Entertainment have already organized stage shows in Los Angeles, Atlanta, New York, Miami, Tampa, Lakeland, Orlando, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania and many more places in USA. Kotyark Entertainment recently organized a gujarati drama named – ‘Kutrani Punchdi Wanki’ at most places from New York to Los Angeles and Miami to Chicago. Weather was very good on this sunny day and audiences started gathering right from 7:00 pm at Manav Seva Mandir Auditorium. Many prominent community leaders were present at this entertaining play. Language: Gujarati / Director : Dharmesh Vyas Produced by: Mallika Shah Written by: Nimesh Shah Story-directed by: Dharmesh Vyas […]

Chicago IL: It was perfect – Surabhi – The mystic pot of never-ending fragrant creations, from Indian mythology. Fine ingredients went in – Sweet and spicy Indian, Spanish and Arabic music, A shot of Indian percussion, A generous drizzle of African and Latin drums, exotic flavors of Flamenco , Bharatanatyam and Gypsy dance – What brewed was a flavorful, delightful, joyful recipe that filled the audience heart and soul. For about two hours, the audience sat mesmerized, enjoying the aroma from the melting pot of music. The Consul General of India in Chicago, Mrs. Tomar graced the occasion. After a preview of the program by WBEZ talk show host Catalina Maria Johnson, the program opened aptly with Vande Mataram, the National song of India rendered by Shanta Ranganathan. Sara Ranganathan started the orchestra with a breathtaking elaboration of Raag Mayamalavagowlam. With one pluck of the string, Sara sustained the sound of the Veena for over two minutes and in that time, brought out the melody of Mayamalavagowlam in all its glory. The song continued with Chittibabu’s Shivaleela vilasam featuring Bharatanatyam by Vijayalakshmi. She portrayed the story of Ganga and Shiva with fluid grace and fine emotive expressions. When the folk […]