Month: October 2011

Chicago IL: On Sunday, October 30th, the Indian National Overseas Congress Organization hosted its Annual Banquet at the India House Banquets located at 1551 Schaumburg Rd, Schaumburg, IL. The paramount objective of the event was to announce the Michigan sub chapter of Indian National Overseas Congress and to honor; Ms. Alka Lamba, senior leader of AICC (All India Congress Committee). Doors opened at 6:00pm with meet and greet session for V.I.P’s with the dignitaries beginning at 6:00pm for one hour. The dignitaries and the V.I.P’s were then escorted to the main hall where 600 plus people were waiting to welcome them. The event commenced with appetizers and cocktails. Lovedeep Singh Dulat, Executive Secretary and the Banquet chair made it a well organized event. Anju Katiyal, Arvind Sidhu and Hardev Sahu, all board members since the launch of the organization were seen busy taking care of all the guests and making sure that the event went smoothly. Avind Gakhal was very instrumental in planning the whole event. The Chief Guest of the evening was Alka Lamba who is a senior leader of Congress, AL Larson, Mayor of Schaumburg and Raja Krishnamoorthi an aspirant to contest for Congressman were Guest of Honors. […]

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Chicago IL: Midwest Asian American Center or MAAC celebrated its Annual fundraising dinner on Saturday, October 29th, 2011 at India House Banquet Hall, 1521 W. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg, Illinois,60194. A delicious buffet dinner with non-vegetarian and vegetarian options allowed for a palate of delicious food. There was a cash bar that was open at 6:30 P.M. and the program started at 8:00 P.M. The MAAC board of directors invited the people to support MAAC on its educational, cultural and social work by attending and sponsoring its fundraising dinner and cultural evening. Entertainment was provided by the Jesse White Tumblers and R K Dance Academy. There were 250 plus people who attended to celebrate the event. The event began with a Welcome speech given by Vandana Dalal (Executive Director), who was the coordinator and organizer of this event along with her MAAC team. Vandana said, “I do the event every other year, but this time I am doing this event two consecutive years in a row. The state cut funding; therefore I am happy that we could do this event this year. We do everything with education, which helps us to move our cause forward, to help provide classes, services, and […]

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Chicago, IL: Vishwa Gujarati Samaj USA (VGS USA) Board of Directors & President Naren Patel Celebrated Diwali on Friday October 28, 2011 at the Waterford Banquet located on 922 Riverside Road, Elmhurst IL. The event was also attended by VGS members, [the event was complementary to the paid members] invited guests, friends and family. The extravagant celebration began at 7 pm. Vishwa Gujarati Samaj Global President Krishnakant Vakharia and Kusum Kaul Vyas the Joint General Secretary travelled from India to join the celebration. Mr. Hitesh Master and his orchestra conducted music for Garba, Bhajan, melodious Bollywood and Gujarati Lokgeet. The event kicked off with the Deep Lighting Ceremony with the chief guest VGS Worldwide President, Mr. Krishnakant Vakharia. Joining Mr. Vakharia was VGS USA President, Mr. Naren Patel, Hiren Patel [NRB Bank]Mafat Patel, Neal & Raj Patel from Medstar Laboratory, Inc., Dinesh Gandhi, Beena Patel, Sonal Shukla, Tushar Chotalia, Vinod Parikh, Kishore Chugh and Dr. Yash Amin. They wished all guests Happy Diwali and a Happy and Prosperous New Year. Nishal Patel, the grandson of Naren Patel came up on stage to enlighten the audience what Diwali truly represents. Next, the VGS, USA Secretary Beena Patel was acknowledged for her […]

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Chicago IL: Dr. M. Balamuralikrishna (Padma Vibhushan ) and Pt. Ronu Majumdar (Grammy Nominee), along with accompanying artists, rendered a soul stirring concert to a ‘sold out’ audience of close to 700 people on Sunday, October 23, 2011. The concert was organized to commemorate the 18th sthapana anniversary of Lord Badrinarayana Murti in the shrine at Chinmaya Mission Chicago’s Badri center located in Willowbrook, IL. The Grand Concert, held at the Sama Rathi auditorium in HTGC, was a tribute and celebration of the community oriented service that Chinmaya Mission Chicago has been providing to the Chicagoland area families for the past 30 years. Mission is dedicated to educating our children, adults and families as a whole, fostering self-development through right understanding of our religious principles and practice of value-based living. Mission continues to offer weekly classes, lectures and discourses, including periodic camps and retreats to support and strengthen our families. With 2 vibrant centers, Badri (in Willowbrook, IL) and Yamunotri (in Grayslake, IL) over a1000 children and hundreds of families are involved in the Mission classes held each week. You can get details about all the Mission activities by visiting www.chinmaya-chicago.org or contacting Mrs. Rajul Bhalala at 847-302- 2383 (or) […]

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Bolingbrook, IL: On Saturday, October 23rd, the Vaishnav Samaj of Midwest (VSM) presented Rass/Garba by Bollywood celebrity and Playback singer Vinod Rathod for the benefit of Shreeji Dwar Haveli. Vinod rocked the auditorium with his orchestra of 10 performers. This was the second time such an event was held by the Vaishnav Samaj of Midwest in Chicago metropolitan area that attracted thousands of participants at the Bolingbrook High School, 365 Raider Way, Bolingbrook, IL. Indulged by mesmerizing voice and music by Vinod Rathod and his orchestra, the program started by Garba performed by thousands of participants wearing colorful dazzling clothes doing whirling dances with clapping hands. Dandiya Raas were performed with equal enthusiasm by distinct rhythmic synchronized sound of wooden sticks struck together, toe tapping music marked the Navratri celebration. Navratri is worship and celebration of Durga Mata to mark by her victory of good over evil. The Navratri celebration also marks a festival of nine nights during which Hindus worship other equally significant goddesses namely Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati, the goddesses of health, prosperity and knowledge respectively. Nine days of Navratri and 10th day of Dussehra are celebrated by all Hindus with some regional variations, the most famous elaborate […]

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Schaumburg, IL: Gujarati Samaj Chicago organized a Diwali gala dinner and musical evening Friday, October 21 2011, at India House restaurant located in Schaumburg, Illinois. The evening was attended by about 612 guests. The evening started with social hour with many choices of delicious tasteful appetizers and soft drinks to neutralize sting of spicy dishes. MC for the occasion was the ever green Bharti Desai, who kept the crowd fluid, attentive, and involved for total length of the program. Deeva lighting ceremony was performed by President Suryakant Patel and his wife, Urvashi. Addressing the gathering, current President Suryakant Patel wished everyone a Happy Diwali and Happy New Year! He said, “Diwali marks the attainment of moksha or nirvana and to rejoice conquering of evil Ravan by Lord Ram. Let us thank, pray, and celebrate for all the blessing by supreme Bhagavan.” He outlined objectives of the Samaj that “We are glad to be serving the Chicago Metropolitan area for many years. Our goals are to encourage people to explore and learn about rich Gujarati culture. Together let us keep this light lit for life and joy for many years to come.” Suryakant Patel told Mr. Suresh Bodiwala and Dr. Chandrakant […]

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Bensenville IL: A successful Fund Raising Dinner event was organized in the Mahalakshmi Hall of Manav Seva Mandir on the evening of Saturday, October 15, 2011. More than 500 devotees participated on this day to support and help the temple and enjoy the evening full of social gathering melodious music, hear about the activities and progress of the Mandir and an excellent dinner. The program started with traditional Deep Pragatya ceremony performed by the chief guest Shri Chhotalal Patel and his wife accompanied with vedic mantrochchar by priests of the temple. Master of ceremony for the program was Dr I.K. Patel, who conducted the entire program smoothly and effectively. The chairman of the trustee board, Dr Bharat Barai welcomed the guests for joining the dinner and reported the activities and the progress of the temple. He also outlined the objectives of raising additional funds. These are modifications and additions to the temple structure, help the ongoing activities such as health care facilities, youth program, programs for seniors, provide more activities for children and provide better celebrations of the religious festivals. The gala evening started with a bhajan song “Satyam Shivam Sundram” performed by Shaila Khedkar and also bhajans performed by […]

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Rolling Meadows, IL: Pratham Chicago held an intimate and moving Gala at the lovely Meadows Club on October 14th 2011 at The Meadows Club, 2950 West Golf Road, Rolling Meadows, IL. Pratham supporters enjoyed delicious cuisine, exquisite performances, motivational remarks and comical addresses throughout the evening. Around 350 people attended the gala. Pratham was founded on the belief that education is a fundamental right. The renowned organization aims to eradicate youth illiteracy in India by supplementing already existing programs. Their motto “Every Child in School and Learning Well” emphasizes that not only should every child have access to education but that the schooling is effective and that students are learning at internationally accepted standards. Pratham has been internationally recognized for its inexpensive, cost-effective, and easily scalable methodology. They have recently received countless honors including 1010 Kravis Prize, 2010 Gold EMPIIndian Express Indian Innovation Award and the 2009 CNN-IBN Indian of the Year Award. The event commenced with appetizers and cocktails during social hour where a silent auction took place. Prabha Vibha Singh welcomed acknowledged the numerous individuals that made the event possible and thanked everyone for their attendance as well as their continued support. The lamp lighting ceremony was followed […]

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Chicago IL: The Consulate General of India, Chicago hosted a symposium on ‘Opportunities for Innovation in Indian Agriculture Sector’ on October 4, 2011 at Chicago. The University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Michigan State University and The Chicago Council on Global Affairs were partners in the event. The conference brought together over 100 regional and international agriculture experts from the government, academia and the corporate world to share information and experiences in Indian Agriculture and articulate the challenges & opportunities for innovation in the Indian Agriculture Sector. A fifteen member business delegation from FICCI also participated in the Symposium. Mr Sam Pitroda, Advisor to the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India on Public Information Infrastructure & Innovations and Dr Robert Easter, interim Vice President, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign were opening keynote speakers and Dr Marshall Bouton, President of The Chicago Council on Global Affairs presented the luncheon keynote address. Mr P.K Basu, Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Govt of India made a presentation on policy initiatives conducive to the development of this sector. He stressed that market led extension, development of efficient supply and value chains, building agriculture infrastructure, climate resilience are some of the priority areas for the ministry […]

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