Month: January 2012

Chicago IL: Federation of Indian Associations, Chicago, successfully hosted 63rd Indian Republic Day celebration and banquet dinner at Waterford Banquet in Elmhurst, IL on January 29, 2012. This colorful event was attended by around 400 people including prominent state government representative, political candidates and community leaders. The prominent personalities who attended the event are Illinois State Treasurer Dan Rutherford, State Senator Kirk Dillard, candidate for State Representative Michelle Mussman, Candidate for U.S. Congress Raja Krishnamoorthy, Judge Ketki Steffen, Elmhurst Mayor Peter DiCianni, Hanover Park Mayor Rodney Craig, Dupage County Circuit Court Clerk Chris Kachiroubas, Candidate for U.S. Congress Farah Baqai, Judge Aurelia Pucinski and Candidate for State Representative William R Adams. Emcee for the gala event was Sanjeev Singh . The evening began with American national anthem sung by sole American Idol contestant from local Indian American community Ms. Ashika Sachdev followed by Indian national anthem by Shreelekha Mohanty. In continuation of long cherished tradition, program formally began by lamp lighting ceremony. During the lamp lighting the entire board of FIA including Founder of FIA Chicago IL and Former President Sunil Shah, current President Onkar Singh Sangha, Executive Vice President Rita Singh, Vice Presidents Monty Syed, Dhitu Bhagwakar, JB Singha, […]

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Chicago IL: The 2012 Sankranthi and Republic Day cultural event organized by the Tri State Telugu Association (TTA), Chicago, on the 28th of January 2012, under the auspices of the TTA Board of Directors, was a feast to the eyes and kept the audience glued to the seats from start to the end. The spirit of Sankranthi and patriotism was brought forth in vibrant colors with the cultural program. TTA victoriously celebrated Sankranthi with an event that presented a multi talented, multi faceted cultural program of skits, fashion show, music and dance. The Samarathi Auditorium at the Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago (HTGC), Lemont, was packed with art lovers. An amazing performance by the local talent with a spectrum of flavors ranging from Classical to semi-classical dances, theme based productions on ’ New beginnings’, ‘Sankranthi and Republic Day’, as well as movie dances kept the crowds mesmerized the entire duration. The cultural show started on time with a beautiful rendition of ‘Gananayakaya’ by about 35 students of Smt.Vasanthi Iyer. This was followed by an excellent recitation of the sanskrit slokas ‘Suryashtakam’, signifying Rathasapthami, by students of Dr.Hemalatha Burra, the renowned Sanskrit Professor, Retired Principal from Sri Sathya Sai University in […]

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Chicago IL: Federation of Indian Associations-Chicago [FIA] hosted a colorful 63rd India Republic Day Gala that showcased heightened patriotic fervor and nationalism by the packed enthusiastic guests at the Meadows Club Convention Center in Rolling Meadows, Illinois on Friday, January 27, 2012. The India Republic Gala was set in motion with a string of colorful bhangra, garbo, patriotic, bollywood and american-jazz dance presentations by a group of talented youngsters which was preceded by a grand ‘sankranthi’ dance presentation from a group of young girls with colorful traditional costumes representing Telugu Association of Greater Chicago [TAGC] which set the tone for a grand festive evening. The evening festivities were presided over jointly by FIA President Satish ‘Sunny’ Gabhawala and Trustee’s Chairman Iftekhar Shareef. Chief Guest Hon. Toni Preckwinkle, President of Cook County, in her remarks, extended warm India Republic Day greetings and hailed India as a great democracy and commended its people for ushering remarkable progress in all fields. Cook County President Preckwinkle took the opportunity to push the candidacy of Raja Krishnamoorthi, a Democratic candidate for the 8th congressional district characterizing him as the best choice by Indian American community to get Indian presence in the US Congress President Satish […]

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Chicago, IL: Honorable Consul General Mrs. Mukta Tomar celebrated 63rd Republic Day On Thursday, January 26, 2012 with leading Chicago-land entrepreneurs and citizens to honor the sacrifices our freedom fighters have fought and to remember the work of our Founding Fathers, for giving to us a country where our dignity and individual freedom is assured. She also extended her warmest greetings to all across the country and also to those living abroad. Indian Consulate located in the heart of downtown at 455 North City front Plaza Drive, Suite No.850, NBC Tower Building, Chicago, IL. As usual guests gathered from citywide to celebrate India’s 63rd Republic Day. Mrs. Mukta Dutta Tomar implicit charge at the Consulate of India in Chicago in August 2010. Prior to this she served as a Deputy High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh. She also served in Indian Embassies across the world including in cities such as New York, Paris, Yangon, Kathmandu, and Madrid. The event began at 10am as the Honorable Consul General saluted the Indian Flag as she held the rope to release the Indian Flag called “Dhhwaj Vandan” to respect and honor the Indian Flag followed by singing an Indian National Anthem. She also […]

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Chicago IL: Telugu Association of Greater Chicago celebrated the harvest festival of India, “Sankranti” with a spectacular cultural program on January 21st, 2012 at the Rama Temple auditorium, in Lemont, IL. Over 800 people were in attendance at this grand event, which was meticulously organized by the executive committee members of the association. Telugu Association of Greater Chicago (TAGC) is a non-profit organization devoted to the awareness and promotion of Telugu Heritage and Culture in the mid-west region headquartered in Chicago. The Association was originally founded in 1971 and incorporated as a non-profit organization by the year 1978. What was once a brain child of small group of individuals, TAGC has grown to be one of the oldest and largest Indo-American organizations in the United States. TAGC celebrates and organizes various Telugu festivals annually and encourages participation by members and well wishers at these events. As a part of Telugu culture promotion, TAGC organizes three festivals every year: Sankranti, Ugadi and Deepavali in addition to hosting an annual picnic in summer. TAGC Membership is open to all who have common interests. TAGC programs are also open to non-members who will be required to pay a small entry fee. As a […]

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Chicago IL: Sri Venkateswara Swamy (Balaji) Temple, Aurora, Illinois observed Tyagaraja Aradhana on Saturday, January 21; this was the 23rd year of this event at the temple. On the Indian (Hindu) calendar Pushya Bahula Panchami marks the day Carnatic music’s Saint-Composer Tyagaraja attained Samadhi in the year 1847 at Tiruvaiyaru in Tamil Nadu, India. Accordingly, devotees of Carnatic music and Saint Tyagaraja all over the world observe the Aradhana around this time. On Saturday about a hundred and forty people performed Saint Tyagaraja’s Kritis in programs that lasted about eight hours. Balaji temple follows its own unique tradition of the Aradhana. The program started promptly at 11 AM with Sita Rama Kalyanam. At appropriate points during the Kalyanam, a group of seven children rendered four Utsava Sampradaya Kritis (USK) of the Saint – Shobhaane (Pantuvarali), Nagumomu galavani (Madhyamavati), Kouvai unnaade (Devagandhari) and Sita Kalyana Vaibhogame (Kurinji). These haunting melodies elevated the Sita Kalyanam to a delightful marriage of music and ritual. After the Sita Kalyanam, the program continued at the Sannidhi, as done in Tiruvaiyaru, with Chelulara (Kharaharapriya) performed by a violin-led group, followed by Guruleka (Gouri manohari) violin solo. The Pancharatna Kriti group was next, in which about fifty […]

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Chicago, IL: Manav Seva Mandir located at 101 S. Church Road, Bensenville , IL celebrated Makar Sankranti by performing Nav Grah Puja on Saturday, January 14, 2012. More than 25 couple participated in Nav Grah Puja which started at 5:30 PM. This sacred evening was attended by over 400 devotees witness the special evening Puja ceremony. Donation for performing Puja was $51.00 per family. We need the blessings of the all nine planets known as Navagraha’s to have a life that is free from various types of problems that may trouble us from time to time. Navgraha The nine (nava) major celestial bodies (Grahas) of Hindu astronomy. These celestial bodies are Surya (Sun), Chandra (Moon), Chevvaai/Mangal (Mars), Budhan (Mercury), Guru/Brihaspati (Jupiter), Shukra (Venus), Shani (Saturn), Rahu (North Lunar Node) and Ketu (South Lunar Node). What is Navgraha Shanti Puja? The nine “grahas” or planets in our horoscope influences one’s daily performance which influences one’s future performance or karma, desires and ultimate outcomes. Each of these nine planets exerts positive and/or negative influence in our lives, which is called “dasa” and it can be predicted by expert called Jyotish from one’s horoscope. Navagraha Shanti Puja is undertaken to reduce the negative […]

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Chicago IL: Janvi was granted her angel wings on January 14, 2012 following a brief illness. Makar Sankranti is a major harvest festival and consider to be divine day for Hindu culture. Her final days were spent surrounded by family and friends. Janvi had touched so many in some small way throughout her short, yet very memorable, life. Janvi’s life would seem too short to many; however, those who came in touch by her understood that the quality of existence far exceeds the quantity of time in which one lives. Her gentle smile could melt the hearts of those around her. Though she never spoke a word her voice and thoughts could always be heard. Janvi was born on September 26th 2001 with a rare genetic disorder resulting in mental and physical handicap since birth. This made her appear frail. Despite these obstacles, she possessed strength, perseverance, and an ability to overcome incredible odds. Sweet, funny, friendly, spunky…these are but a few words that come to mind when we think about Janvi. Janvi, with her chubby cheeks, pigtails, endearing personality and beautiful eyes, immediately won everyone’s hearts. With her courage she led us to believe that each day is a […]

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Chicago, IL: Lohri, popular Punjabi agricultural festival, was celebrated with great fanfare at Hari Om Mandir in Medinah, IL. Lohri was celebrated with traditional food of Saag (mustard) and Makki (corn) ki roti and lassi (buttermilk), bonfire, tappes, and songs suitable for the occasion. The temple priests, Shastri Yogesh Pandya ji and Pandit Dinesh ji, along with help from Deepak and Mona Sharma, Vipan & Sangeeta Wadhera, Subhash & Kiran Sharma and Akshay & Suchitra Sarkar created a beautiful exhibit of traditional Lohri items. There were models of Charkha, well with utensil to draw water, front of a house with traditional paintings of Diyas (tea lights) and cut out of people with dhols. Traditional Makke ki roti, Sarson ka Saag and Sweet & Salty Lassa were in abundance. Mrs. Nirmal Bagga, Mrs. Aruna Lal, Mrs. Suvarsha Sehgal, Mrs. Madhu Gupta, Mrs. Prem Salwan, Mrs. Indu Bhardwaj, Mrs. Navdeep Sharma and lot of other volunteers helped in preparing all delicacies. India House Schaumburg also donated Makke ki Roti and Sarsen ka saag for the occasion. Mrs. Sneh Chaudhary prepared Pineapple Burfi for the occasion. Mrs. Malkeet Kaur Kalsi and several other devotees prepared Saag and Rotis at home and bought to […]

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Chicago IL: Youth Outreach, Developments in Literacy (YOUR DIL) hosted its first event of the new year, netWork it for Education: Celebrating Literacy One Child at a Time, at Reza’s Restaurant in downtown Chicago on Saturday, January 14, 2012 to raise funds for schools in Pakistan. The event featured networking activities for young professionals and an inspiring talk from Ethan Casey, a veteran journalist, editor, and author who writes extensively on Pakistan and other developing countries. A vocal advocate for harmonious relations between the United States and Pakistan and longtime supporter of DIL, Ethan spoke to an engaged audience of YOUR DIL Chicago’s young professional supporters about his experiences living and traveling in Pakistan and working with DIL’s schools in Pakistani villages. Addressing young Pakistani-Americans as “vanguards of the Pakistani community in the United States,” Ethan provided insightful advice on how they can help to bring better awareness of Pakistan to the American people. “Your generation is on the verge of really bursting out into American society in a great way. … One of the simplest ways that you can help to create better understanding of Pakistan in America is just by being yourself, being professional and courteous in your […]

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Chicago IL: “If you want to get what you have never gotten, you have to do what you have never done”. These are the words of Acharya Vivekji at the latest Chinmaya Yuva Kendra (CHYK) retreat2012 in Chicago. Chinmaya Yuva Kendra, is a branch of Chinmaya Mission focused on spreading a message of spirituality to youth. It was founded in 1975 by Swami Chinmayananada with a mission to “empower youth with the vision, values, and dynamism for success in all fields”. CHYK is present in over 120 cities on four continents and has made its mark on youth in the world today. CHYK discussions are held on college campuses and are very popular with university students. CHYK retreats are also held across the nation during almost every month, with the number of retreats and camp attendees increasing with each year. The spiritual retreat conducted in Chicago Badri Center, 11 S. 80, Rt 83, Willowbrook, IL, on January 13 to 15, 2012 brought over 90 people from around the country with a practical theme. “Holistic Habits: Make, Break, and Sublimate” read the poster for this camp. During those three days, we learned how exactly to achieve the making, breaking, and sublimating […]

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