Month: November 2013

Chicago: Vivekananda Vedanta Society (VVS) of Chicago hosted a two-day conference at the downtown Hilton from November 9, 2013 to commemorate the 150th Birth Anniversary of its illustrious founder, who introduced Hinduism to America through his electrifying address on September 11, 1893 before the World Parliament of Religions (WPR) in Chicago. Attended by fifty monastics from around the world, this first day was devoted to fathoming various aspects of Swami Vivekananda’s (SV) legacy now that Hindus and saffron robed monks are a common sight here. Asheesh Sen read out the welcome address by Illinois Governor Pat Quinn, who had recently declared Sep. 28 state-wide as Swami Vivekananda Day. Likewise read out by Swami Mahayogananda, Ramakrishna Order President Swami Atmasthananda’s message of felicitation quoted Vivekananda’s speech of Sep. 28, 1893 urging Americans to transcend the limitations of the ego by aspiring for infinite individuality. Associated since 1950 with VVS that he joined in 1960, senior Swami Chetanananda described “The transformation from Narendranath to Swami Vivekananda” contrasting the before and the after. SV, who arrived on 30 July 1893 in Chicago and left for the last time for India in 1990, lived a short life of 39 years and 5 months to […]

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Chicago IL: Love was in the air on the evening of November 10, 2013 at Waterford Banquet and Conference Center in Elmhurst, IL. The occasion was the Annual Fundraising Banquet for Chinmaya Mission Chicago (a nonprofit organization), Badri (Willowbrook, IL) and Yamunotri (Grayslake, IL) centers. The goal of the evening was to raise funds to support, sustain and enhance the already existing programs. Chinmaya Mission, with over 400 centers worldwide was founded by the devotees of one of the greatest Vedantic Masters of our time, Swami Chinmayananda in the 1950s. Its purpose as stated in his own words is, “To provide to individuals from any background the wisdom of Vedanta and the practical means for spiritual growth and happiness, enabling them to become positive contributors to society.” The current worldwide head of Chinmaya Mission is H.H. Swami Tejomayananda, who is continuing the work of his Guru with immense Love and devotion. Over 740 people were assembled to lend support to such an organization with love in their hearts for a noble cause. The theme of the evening was ‘Live to Love’ which was reflected in the ambiance, the food, the speeches, the cultural program, the dinner and the blessings showered […]

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Chicago IL: Over fifty monastics arrived from around the world at the Vivekananda Monastery at Ganges, Mich., in the early sunny afternoon of November 7, 2013, to render obeisance to their Founder-Swami on his 150th birth anniversary. Coming from as far away as Germany, Switzerland, Moscow, Brazil, Argentina, South Asia, Japan, and Fiji, some of the monks were accompanied by foreign devotees, ill-at-ease with English, and likewise visiting Chicago or North America, for the first time. To receive them at the gate of this expansive retreat center and accompany them in joyous procession to the main shrine were devotees from around the Midwest, with others coming from as far away as Canada and Houston, Texas. The monastics, counting over a dozen nuns (pravrajika), participated in two conclaves the next day morning: after the heads of the order had deliberated on internal administrative matters, they were joined by the rest to confer on mission strategy and planning, before leaving in the early afternoon to the Lemont temple. The contingent, which included General Secretary of Ramakrishna Mission Swami Suhitanandaji, arrived by bus from the Ramakrishna Temple at Homer Glen, accompanied by Minister-in-Charge of Vivekananda Vedanta Society (VVS) of Chicago Swami Ishatmananda. Resounding […]

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Chicago IL: 214th Birth Day of Jalaram Bapa was celebrated by Shree Jalaram Mandir on Saturday, the 9th November, 2013, on 7th of Kartak Month of Vikram Samvat 2070. Whole Program was successfully accomplished with the support from Trustees, members of Executive Board of Shree Jalaram Mandir, Volunteer Brothers and Sisters and New Generation youths-Boys and Girls born and brought up in America. More than thousand people participated with full devotion in this Program. Program started with Puja from 9-00 am. Onwards. The entire program was, Kalash Puja, Dhaja Puja, Maha Puja, Aarti and Mahaprasd and Sangeet Sandhya. The day started with Kalash Puja followed with Dhwaj Puja, Maha Puja and Annakut. People from all walks of life flocked to the temple to participate in Jalarma Bapa’s 214th birth anniversary. Bapa is deemed to be incarnation of Vishnu and has millions of followers not only in Gujarat but across the world. The Main Yajman for the Maha Puja were Shantanu/Tanuja Govilkar, Yajman for Dhaja Puja were Bhupenbhai/Amyben Ray and Yajman for Kalash Puja were Rashmiben and Jitendrabhai Patel and Hasmukhbhai/Tarulataben Thakkar. . Over six hundred devotees had come from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. They participated in Arati and were […]

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Chicago IL: Almost fifty monastics including a dozen nuns of the Vivekananda Vedanta Society (VVS) and Ramakrishna Mission, coming from all over the world, were honored by the Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago (HTGC) the evening of Friday, November 8, 2013 on behalf of the diaspora of householders. Bused in after a day of deliberations at the Vivekananda Monastery at Ganges, Mich., they disembarked before the giant statue of their Founder-Swami that they venerated and circumambulated before granting a brief audience to the awaiting devotees at the adjacent meditation center named after him. The packed Sama Rathi auditorium within the main temple complex was then treated to the unprecedented sight, as the curtain was raised, of the seated monastics arrayed across three tiers of the grand stage as cameras kept flashing furiously. Six representative speeches, by way of greetings, were followed by a cultural program and dinner. The main program at the auditorium began with an invocation of Ganesh and Tulsidas bhajan on Lord Rama. Prayers offered by the temple priests were followed by welcome speeches from HTGC past President Bhima Reddy and current President Tilak Marwaha. Sanskrit prayers to Shri Ramakrishna, Swami Vivekananda, and Ganesha followed the lighting of […]

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Chicago IL: At a gala dinner banquet held on Friday, November 8 2013, at India House, Schaumburg by Air India Chicago Cargo office presented annual sales performance awards to its appointed travel agents recognizing their role in promoting the national Indian airliner in this part of the world . The event was attended by a large number of top producing Cargo Agents from across Midwest and other invited guests. Top 5 Producing Agents were recognized with a Plaque of Recognition for their contribution The evening started with an hour of Hors’ D’oeuvres and cocktails, to allow the participants a chance to mingle and get to know one another. At about 7:30, Tom Dempsey, District Cargo Sales Manager – Midwest, for Air India introduced himself and thanked everyone for coming out. He then introduced Mr. Singh, Regional Manager – Midwest for Air India, who made the Keynote address, explaining Air India’s history dating back to 1932, being one of the oldest airlines in the world. He noted that we had one of the most modern fleets in the sky, that Air India was the second airlines to order the Dream liner, and that while it was still on the drawing board, […]

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Chicago IL: Mujeeb Ahmed and Tanveer Rather (Pappu) adventure to open restaurant in the heart of Devon Avenue. The Grand opening of Masti Grill & Karaoke restaurant which is located at 2948 West Devon Avenue, was on Thursday, October 17th 2013 at 7:00 PM. The celebration includes dinner and musical program by local artists to entertain the members and invited guests. Masti-Karaoke is a group for “Any person” an amateur or professional, young or old, male or female, genuinely interested in listening and/or singing Bollywood or any Indian/Pakistani melody. The organizers for Masti-karaoke believe that there are many untapped singing talents within our Chicago Indian/Pakistani community. They are dedicated to helping truly talented individuals get over their shyness and bring out the hidden artist within themselves. They believe that it is never too late to realize ones passions and do something about it. They also believe that as a community we should encourage God given talents in others and help aspiring musical stars attain their dreams and goals no matter how old or young they are. At Masti-Karaoke they are one big “Music family”. People of different religions and cultures mingle together to share their love for music. Music or […]

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