Month: June 2011

Chicago IL: Jain Society of Metropolitan Chicago (JSMC) celebrated 18th Anniversary at the Jain Temple (Deräsar), 435 N Route 59, and Bartlett, IL on Saturday June 25, 2011. Over 1200 devotees from Jain community joined to participate in this 2 days event. Ceremony started from June 25 Saturday and 26 Sunday was a milestone event as it was the second anniversary of the Temple that was expanded and renovated as part of Temple Pratishtha in year 2009. Significance of Deräsar (Temple) anniversary is in two main events – Dhwaja Ceremony and 18 Abhishek Ceremony. Dhwaja Change and 18 Abhishek will be conducted under the auspice of Shri Hiteshbhai Vidhikar Abhishek: 18 Abhishek is a very sacred ritual ceremony of offering 18 different types of holy water that is mixed with sacred substances like “Chandan” (Sandal). This once a year event of Abhishek is a very important event for all the Jains. Dhwaja Change Ceremony: On this auspicious day, all the Bhagawan Deri and main Deräsar Dhwaja (Flag) will be replaced with new ones with the chanting and the prayers conducted by a well-known Vidhikär Shri Hiteshbhai Shah from Vadodara, India. Flag (Dhaja) is being kept on temple with a view […]

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Chicago IL: Federation of Indian Associations [FIA] Chicago hosted a ceremonious ‘kick-off’ reception to set in motion a series of significant events centered on the celebrations of India Independence Day in Chicago on Sunday June 19, 2011 at the Punjabi Dhaba Banquet Hall in Chicago, Illinois. The ‘kick-off’ luncheon reception was presided over by FIA Trustee Chair Iftekhar Shareef who invited the guests of honor to join in unity to light the lamp which was led by Hon. Debra Silverstein, Alderwoman of the 50th ward, State Senator/Committeeman of the 50th ward Hon. Ira Silverstein and Democratic Candidate of the 8th Congressional District Mr. Raja Krishnamoorthi. These guests of honor were joined by FIA’s prominent Trustees and board members including Anil Pillai, Sitaram Patel, Sohan Joshi, Bhailal Patel, Sitaram Patel, Ranjit Ganguly, Micky Kahlon, Keerthi Ravoori, Ajai Agnihotri, Sher Rajput, Avinash Desai and Minhaj Akhar. Following the auspicious lighting, Iftekhar Shareef made an official declaration announcing that FIA will host a series of festivities in commemoration of India’s Independence with Grand India Parade as its crown-jewel event on August 20, 2011 on Devon & Western Ave. with series of other significant events including the Gala Banquet on August 19, 2011, Flag-Hoisting […]

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Schaumburg IL: A well known publisher and owner of Hi India, Mr. Hemant Brahmbhatt hosted the 16th anniversary of Sandesh-the Gujrati editions along with the second year of Hi India English editions on 7:00PM, Friday, June 17, 2011at Medows Club, 2950 W. Golf Road Rolling Meadows, IL. The event was extremely successful as it had great Music and food to accompany even greater people-over six hundred from metropolitan Chicago area. The event started out with a lamp lighting that was performed by Congressman Danny Davis, Nirajan Shah, Mafatbhai Patel, Naren Patel, Roshit Joshi, and Hemant Brambhatt. Such symbolism was used very well as it showed how Sandesh and Hi India is still doing very well even in the darkest of times as the recession and technological advances in media have decreased the popularity of printed media. The event proceeded to its awards ceremony where three hard working Southern-Asian Americans were honored. The awards were given to Ann Kalayil, Dr. Mohammad Wasiullah Khan, and Mayank Chhaya. Each of these three without any doubt or questioning deserved the award. Congressman Danny Davis presented the award to each of them except Dr. Mohammad Wasiullah Khan as he was absent for the event and […]

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