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Chicago IL: Northwest Suburban College celebrated their first cultural night on July 23rd, 2011 at Monty’s Banquet Hall. The program was well attended by folks of different walks of life such as literary, music lovers and soofi poetry fans. “It was a fete”, according to Dr. Rooma Gurg. It was the soofi music at its best and a reminder of great maestro Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. Bilal Chishti also known as Dhruv Sangari – a young man from New Delhi who started learning music at the age of 7 and developed a passion for Soofi Music by the age of 13 – enthralled the audience with his self immersed rendering of the greats such as Ameer Khusro, Kabir Daas, Bulle Shah and others. The program was arranged at a short notice of two weeks by diverting Mr. Sangari from returning to India, according to Rashid Salam the main organizer and the Administrator of the college. Nahid AliNiazee, daughter of Dr. M. T. AliNiazee – the founder of the college, introduced the mission and vision of Northwest Suburban College. Dr. Khalid Sami Chairman of the Board of Regents, thanked the audience and the volunteers for managing a great event with grand […]

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Hoffman Estates, IL: ‘My Vibrant India’ a grand celebration of Indian heritage took place on July 16, and July 17 at Sears Center 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates, IL 60192, featuring the world’s largest India’s flag and showcasing the rich heritage of India. This spectacular show exhibited India with its huge diversity. The main theme of the show was to appeal to the Indian as well as the non-Indian community and bring forth a much deeper knowledge and understanding of custom and vision of India. The event was organized and directed by Mr. Montey Saiyed, president of Shows2u, a premier entertainment management company in the Midwest. The organization is well known by keeping its tradition of bringing some of the biggest names in the Indian and Pakistani entertainment industry to Chicago. For this event Shows2u brought a journey of rich tradition and legacy of India thru Gujarat & Rajasthan that would let people walk through and discover the culture and richness that both states. The show will continue the Journey selecting different two states every year and eventually covering all the Indian states. Vibrant India festival was incredible according to Asian Media USA Chairman, Mr. Suresh Bodiwala. He further […]

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Vernon Hills, IL: Lake County has growing need for elderly care services among the immigrant population of Chicagoland area; Metropolitan Asian Family Services recently opened their 7th senior center in Vernon Hills, IL on July 11th, 2011. A pioneer in the field of senior home care services, MAFS has expanded its horizon to serve seniors residing in Lake County, IL by opening a new center at 60 E. Townline Road, at the Hawthorn Village Commons located in the city of Vernon Hills. The opening ceremony commenced by offering prayers to Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi, which was followed by worshipping the Navagraha and seeking their blessings. Mantras were chanted and sacred prayers were recited by Pandit Jagdish Joshi invoking all the Hindu gods for the successful beginning of the center. Staff and community members gathered at this joyous occasion to celebrate the opening and participated with great enthusiasm. Executive Director of MAFS, Mrs. Santosh Kumar along with her husband, Mr. Pramod Kumar welcomed the guests and staff to their new location. The ribbon cutting was performed by Dr. & Mrs. Satyan Singh of Grayslake, IL. The guests in attendance were Dr. Rakesh Asthana of Woodridge, Mr. Ashok and Pramila Bhatia […]

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Chicago IL: Chinmaya Mission Chicago, held a fundraiser, “Empowering Through Music,” on Sunday, July 10, 2011 at the Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago in Lemont. The purpose of this event was to support the activities of the Chinmaya Organization for Rural Development (CORD). This is an India-based non-profit organization that empowers villagers through different rural development programs under the leadership of Padmashree Dr. Kshama Metre. The evening featured Suraj Patnaik, a seventeen-year-old Neuqua Valley high school graduate, who is a highly talented and versatile singer. Suraj is an exemplary example of an American-born youth of Indian descent, with strong roots in Indian culture and spiritual values, molded by both his family and the Chinmaya Mission. Suraj has been trained in Hindustani Classical music by President of Music award recipient Guru Smt. Mani Majumdar, and is a recipient of the 2009 Yuva Kala Award from the Orissa Society of the Americas. Suraj has also received training in Geeta Govinda from Padmashree Pandit Raghunath Panigrahi. During the evening’s performance, Suraj was accompanied on the tabla and pakhawaj by Mumbai’s renowned Guru Pandit Durga Prasad Majumdar. Chicago’s popular musician Hitesh Master accompanied Suraj on the harmonium and keyboard, and Chinmaya Yuva Kendra artist […]

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Chicago IL: Tollywood’s actor A. Raja who is on a maiden ‘Testimony’ tour of the United States overwhelmed the Chicago Christian community with his personal testimony rooted deeply in his Christian faith to a packed audience at an event titled “reflection and inspiration” held on July 9, 2011 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Lincolnwood, Illinois. The church was filled with silent awe as charming actor Raja took the audience through the arduous journey of his life replete with painful tribulations that which eventually transformed into a blissful triumph and joyful victory. Actor Raja –barely holding back tears — poured out his soul through his compelling testimony interspersed with his personal life story to a spellbinding congregation. Actor Raja narrated the transfixing story with intrepid candor describing how he dealt with unbearable pain of loosing his beloved mother at a tender age; then his father later and the painful struggles with his two sisters who faced a parentless life of destitution that followed. Each incident in his life, Raja said, has broken his human spirit and shattered his hopes as he continued to face excruciatingly painful humiliations and rejections from family, friends and the community including a pastor who refused […]

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Chicago IL: Panjab Sports Club Midwest Chicago hosted the 9th International Kabaddi and Volley-Ball Cup tournament at Busse Woods Forest Preserve (intersection of Higgins Road and Arlington heights Road) in Elk Grove Village on 9:00 AM, Sunday July 3, 2011. Over 2500 spectators and Kabaddi fans with their families and friends from Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin, Ohio, Kentucky, Seattle & Iowa attended the tournament, engaging day of sports, food, and live entertainment. Participants were male and ranged from the ages 18-40 and were from various parts of North America. Teams of Kabaddi teams are from New York, Canada, Dallas, Cincinnati, Chicago – Doaba Sports Club, and Punjab sports Club Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio. Volleyball Teams are: Crown Point, Indiana, Dallas, Michigan, and Five Local. 1st prize for Kabaddi was $3100 Donated By D Line Logistics: Nirbhai Singh Dhanoa and Manprit Singh Aujla and 2nd prize for Kabaddi was $2100 Donated by Toor Brothers. 1St Prize for Volleyball $1000 Donated by Habi Grewal and 2nd Prize: $ 500 Donated by Habi Grewal The final match was played between New York and Toronto team. Toronto team won Sub. Kartar Singh Dhaliwal Kabaddi Cup and First prize of $3100 for Kabaddi ($3100 Donated by […]

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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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A Sikh Community Vaisakhi Parade (Nagar Kieran) was organized by the Gurudwara Sahib of Chicago on Saturday May 28, 2011. The parade was to observe a belated Vaisakhi Day which is in mid April, but was delayed due to the Chicago outdoor weather. The parade ended just in time about an hour before it started to rain heavily. Several hundred Sikh community memebrs participated in the parade. A sea of orange turbans and dupattas was visible on Devon Avenue East of Westeren Avenue. Men, women, and children of all ages dressed in ethnic dresses marched in the parade singing Gurbaani hymns, and raising slogans of “Jo Bole So Nihaal……Sat Siri Akaal,” (whosoever believes that God is True…is a happy and contended person). Members from Palatine Illinois Gurudwara led by president Harkirat Singh Sandhu, members from Wheaton Illinois Gurudwara, Oak Creek Wisconsin Gurudwara, Crown Point Indiana, and Indianapolis Indiana Gurudwara members came in to march in the parade with decorated floats and marching units. The parade was led by the “Panj Pyare” (The Five Beloved Ones) carrying Nishan Sahib (Sikh Community Flags), and a float carrying “Guru Granth Sahib” (Sikh Scripture) on a “Palaki” under a canopy. The Keertan (singing of […]

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Chicago, IL: On Wednesday, May 25, 2011, Chicago’s top restaurants, community leaders and five hundred guests will join hands at the River East Art Center, 435 East Illinois Street, Chicago, IL 60611 to support the milestone achievements one of Chicago’s leading domestic violence agencies – Apna Ghar Inc. Apna Ghar’s 3rd annual Taste for Life event to raise over $63,000 for women and children facing domestic violence. Janet Davies, of ABC 7 Chicago, served as master of ceremonies and rocked the River East Art Center with her wit and enthusiasm. Entertainment included dancers from Taol Fusion, Chicago Dhamaal, Trinity Irish Dancers and DSSProductions. “This is one of our most popular events of the year. It is the time when our supporters come out to celebrate Apna Ghar’s groundbreaking work with survivors of domestic violence. Join us for an evening of the best international food and wine that Chicago offers” said Rambha Radhakrishnan M.D. President of the Board of Directors. Apna Ghar provides culturally-appropriate, multilingual services, including emergency shelter, to survivors of domestic abuse with a primary focus on the South Asian and other immigrant communities Apna Ghar was started by five Asian American women activists, who established a domestic violence […]

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Bensenville IL: Bensenville IL: The annual Health Fair was successfully concluded at Manav Seva Mandir, 101 S Church Rd Bensenville, IL on Sunday, May 22, 2011 from 8.15 AM to 11 AM. An annual Health Fair was organized at Manav Seva Mandir with 350 patients getting free health check up. The event took place in Mahalakshmi hall. Long lines of participants early in the morning show the success of this activity for the last several years. This year we gave them numbers as they walk in. and then they can seat in the temple in chairs. They call by numbers, fill out form and start tests without waiting in lines. As per Jayantibhai Thakkar, this was the 28th Health Fair coordinated by him. The first one was started at Manav Seva Mandir back in 1989 in Manav Seva Mandir and he continued this service in other temples like Midwest Swaminarayan temple, Vashnav Samaj temple and Jalaram temple. It is important to recognize his selfless and dedicated work on people’s health check up, by which more than 7,800 patients have benefited so far. More than 20 doctors and 100 health professionals provided their volunteer services on this day. Registration and front […]

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Grayslake, IL: The famous Munni Begum returned to Chicago from Pakistan to perform a charity concert at the College of Lake County. The Aligarh Muslim University Alumni Association of Greater Chicago (AMUAA-GC) organized the sensational show. All proceeds of the show went towards funding education projects for poor girls in India. Munni Begum resided in Chicago for many years and currently resides in Pakistan but that did not stop her from coming back to give music enthusiasts a night to remember. Many loyal fans attended the show to listen to her remarkable ghazals and geets that have mesmerized audiences for decades. She began her singing career in the 1970s in Karachi. Her hits include classics like Ek Bar Muskura Do, Teri Soorat Nigahon Mein, Ae Mere Humnasheen and even recent upbeat dance pieces like Jhoom Barabar Jhoom. Munni Begum received the Pride of Performance award from Governor Dr. Ishrat-ul-Ibad Khan in 2008. The performance was nearly four hours of uninterrupted musical bliss with an exception of a brief tea break intermission. During the intermission fans and media had the opportunity to greet and talk to the legend. Along with Munni Begum, local artists also performed melodious ghazals and Bollywood hits. […]

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Chicago, IL: Shri Swaminarayan Temple, 397 Northgate Parkway, Wheeling, IL celebrated its 20th Anniversary with great enthusiasm and many various religious programs on May 21, 2011 to May 29, 2011. The temple was established and inaugurated in May 26th 1991. Religious programs during earlier in past few weeks included such events as, nonstop Swaminarayan Dhun for 20 hours, nonstop recital of Janmangal Stotra for 20 hours and recital of Janmangal Stotra for one hour each Sunday for 20 Sundays, Samuh Mahapuja, etc. Ten days of grand celebrations and religious programs were planned and carried out. Starting Saturday May 21st May 2011, Satsangijivan Katha was narrated by the Temple Swamiji Shri Kaivalyswarup Swami for one week. On Saturday 27th 2011 Maruti Yagna was performed which started in early morning till about 6PM. On same day around 4:00 PM a special grand Shobhaytra –parade- took place to welcome and to celebrate the presence of future Acharya of Shri Laxminarayan Dev -Vadtal-Gadi, PP 108 Shri Lalji Maharaj Shri Nrigendraprasadji. Six Swamijis were also invited from various Temples of Shri Laxminarayan Dev -Vadtal-Gadi for this occasion, including PP Shri Satyaprakash (SP) Swamiji and PP Shri Chappaiya Swamiji from Gadhada Temple, PP Shri Nityswarup Swamiji […]

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Chicago IL: Mahatma to Narendra Modi, Gujarat has seen it all. One of India’s fastest growing economy, Gujarat plays an integral part in the very existence of India. Every Gujarati who lives in the Land of Liberty thinks and feel proud about his or her home state. Last year Naren Patel, President of Vishwa Gujarati Samaj USA, celebrated the Golden Anniversary of state of Gujarat or ‘Swarnim’ Gujarat on May 31, 2010 at Waterford Banquet. Following Naren Patel’s celebration, various other Gujarati organization also celebrated Swarnim Gujarat in Chicago. This year, India TV (USA) celebrated 51st Gujarat Din at The Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way,Elgin, IL on Sunday, May 15, 2011. Whole Program was effectively accomplished with the support from Chicago’s Gujarati community and Various Associations, volunteers, renowned physicians, Politicians, Prominent businessmen, Community leaders and public at large took part in the making the event a grand success. In all, more than 900 people attended the program. Apparently, it was a moment of great excitement for NRI Guajarati living in USA. The celebration was held with much pomp and pleasure organized by well known TV entertainer Mina-Kishore-Kruti-Shilp Purohit, owners/director of ‘India TV (USA)’. Personal Commitment and community support made […]

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Chicago IL: The Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago (PCS) collaborated with Chicago Children’s Museum (CCM) at Navy Pier to organize the Passport to the World: India Festival Celebrations on May 15th, 2011. More than 300 community members participated. “This is 11th year in a row that PCS has organized this event. PCS was on CCM’s original planning committee when they created this event eleven years ago, and has participated in it ever since,” said Rajinder Singh Mago of PCS who compeered the program inside the museum. The PCS performances depicted a mosaic of diverse traditions from the Indian state of Punjab including ethnic dresses, Dhol music, and the Punjabi folk dances Bhangra and Gidha performed by the local Punjabi youth groups. Attendees also participated in turban tying, Bhangra dance lessons, and other Indian performing arts. An outdoor procession planned for more than 200 participants with Dhol drums and street dancing at South deck of Navy Pier had to be moved inside due to an off-season drizzle, and windy conditions, but failed to dampen the spirits of the participants. As the Punjabi procession entered into the Chicago Children’s Museum, the whole place drowned in the echo of the melodious sound beats […]

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