Author: admin

Chicago IL: What is leadership? Society ascribes leadership in politics, religion, communities, sports, etc. based on actions, achievement, and at times, popularity. Typically, we limit our view of “leaders” to people in position of power: CEOs, politicians, athletes, and perhaps community leaders. There are leaders who have a strong work ethic and who win and accomplish major tasks; but are they life’s leaders? Are their characters worth emulating? True leadership is rooted in a person’s character, in their actions, and in the examples they set. But are those the only leaders? Everyone has the potential to be a leader in his or her own right. What about people who give their best everyday to care for their communities, schools, and homes? Are they not leaders as well? In fact, do we recognize ourselves as leaders? Should we? To recognize the unparalleled leaders we know and admire, to acknowledge the leaders amongst us, and to enrich the leaders within us, BAPS hosted a Women’s Conference themed “Lead from Within” at 10 centers across North America. On March 22nd, 2014, over 450 women gathered at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Bartlett, IL to participate in this annual event, now observing its […]

Chicago IL: On Saturday, March 8th, the Indian Student Association at Waubonsie Valley High School hosted its 6th annual talent competition for students from Waubonsie, Neuqua, and Metea Valley High Schools in District 204 which covers the cities of Naperville, Aurora and Bolingbrook. . The format of the show is parallel to Indian Idol in which three judges decided a winner for dancing and singing performances. The executive board and the members of the ISA at Waubonsie organized an amazing show which can be compared to the popular Bollywood reality talent shows. The executive board includes co-presidents, Vidya Velayutham and Katyayni Gupta, secretary, Akshara Sreedhar, public relations, Rohan Shah, senior respresentative, Sriram Katragadda, junior representative, Paveena Bhugra, sophomore representative, Pal Shah, and freshman representative, Sunita Kavthekar. The Indian Student Association is sponsored by Waubonsie Valley math teacher, Kinjal Marfatia. The students displayed an extraordinary array of talent in both dancing and singing categories. Their performances showed that the students had spent a great deal of time rehearsing and preparing for the show. The judges which included Bhagya Nagesh, Mukesh Shah, and Vaishali Nagoree had a difficult time determining the winner for both dancing and singing. With approximately 400 people in […]

Share a Smile’s Mission Statement: “We value the vision that no activity or amount is too small, by providing the community a platform to bring their resources together to make a difference.” Chicago IL: Share a Smile is a registered 501C, charitable non-profit organization with a unique global vision to share and give back to seniors and the less privileged, by identifying those who are most vulnerable and underserved, first within the community and then reaching out to India and other parts of the world. In the preceding years their fundraisers have contributed to a senior home in India, to welfare projects in Africa, to an international eye care foundation in India, educare.org and flood relief in Haiti. For the last 3 years they have identified a senior care home called Sukhdam on the out-skirts of New Delhi as the principal beneficiary of their fundraisers. Locally, Share-a-Smile Chicago members volunteer at BACOA (Barrington Area Council for Old Age) to deliver a hot and nutritious meal to support home-bound seniors and people with disabilities, allowing them to live independently in their own homes, with dignity and self-respect. In 2014, their Annual Fund Raiser was held at India House Banquet Hall on […]

Chicago IL: International Women’s Day celebrations were organized by TAGC & ATA on March 15th 2014 at the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites, Carol Stream, IL. 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. ATA (American Telugu Association) is a non-profit national organization and was founded in 1990, head quartered in Chicago. The main purpose of the organization is to assist and promote literary, cultural, educational, religious, social, economic, health and community activities of the people of Telugu origin as well as to promote exchange programs for students, scientists, and professionals of Telugu origin between the United States of America, Canada and India and other countries. Over 250 women of Telugu origin participated in this unique event which raised awareness about important issues such as Women’s Mental Health, Nutrition and Diet, Indian Women in American Politics, STEM Education and Women’s […]

Chicago IL : Yeh Cheez Entertainment & Music Melody Entertainment presented, on Saturday, March 8th, 2014 from 6-30 pm onwards ‘Khan Show’ Desi Winter Bash at India House Banquets, 521 W Schaumburg Rd, Schaumburg, IL. All celebrated the End of winter with Desi Winter Bash! – Where everyone enjoyed and cherished the best of Chicago LIVE!!! Noman Khan, President Yeh Cheez Entertainment and Captain of Yeh Cheez Group; along with Tariq Khan, President Music Melody Entertainment showcased Chicago’s finest dance groups, singers, models and designers all under one roof. They left no stones unturned in promoting the youth and ‘Aam Aadmi’ of Chicago. This wouldn’t have had happened without the help of their grand sponsors, Dr. Harjinder Khaira, Lake Street Dental; Ravi Rawat, Owner India House Banquets and Ahmed Khan, Taaza2u.com Sponsors-Supporters included: India House; Chandni Exclusive; Print Point; Hiba Khan, Asian Media; Waterford Banquet; Shalini Saxena’s Fiery Tiger; Masti Grill; Suga Builders; Paegert Den The people of Chicago witnessed one of the biggest variety shows of the year. The Night was full of Entertainment. Fashion Shows, Dances, Music, Trivia, Comedy, Food and Fun!! An astounding evening was created to entertain the audience. Noman Khan as the program director led […]

Chicago IL: Dhwani Entertainment (Promoters of Local Talent) presented “Fabulous Six- Tribute to Legendary Singers of Bollywood” at Elgin Community College, Art Center Building, H, 1709 Sparten Dr., Elgin IL. on Saturday, March 8, 2014 starting from 3:00 pm. It was a breathtaking on stage show. Fabulous Six Legendary Singers of Bollywood are Kishor, Manna Dey, Rafi, Mukesh, Asha and Lataji. There were talented artists with Live Orchestra by M3 Group of Chicago- Amit Kumar on Key Board; Ken D’Souza on Guitar; Sudhir Krishnan on Drums; Puranlal Vyas on Tabla/Dholak and Dances were performed by Tarana Kathak Dance Academy by girls under guidance of Shital Dhanani. They presented various Dances along with songs compiled by Legendary Music Directors. Shaurin Thakkar was MC of the program. One after another Melodious Songs close to our hearts for every mood, Happy, Sad, Romantic, Masti, remembering Six eternal Bollywood Legendary Six Singers- Lata Mangeashkar, Asha Bhonsle, Mohammed Rafi, Kishore Kumar and Mannadey were vocalized by Chicago’s very best singers like Shaila Khedkar Rajesh Chalam and Padmini Rao. Other presenters were voice of ‘Manna Day’, Mr. Virendra Kothariji and another very popular Versatile Singer Sreepathyji, and Nipa Shah. Joining the chorus were Chicago’s very own […]

Chicago IL: Married to my childhood sweetheart, Usha 41 years ago. The person I love the most, my wife is my strength and inspiration. Love, tenderness, sympathy, empathy, came from my mother Shantaben, hard work discipline, strong will power came from my father Natverlal and spiritual wisdom Pandurang Shastriji Athavale. We are very spiritual and family oriented. With the blessing of God, we are very healthy and have a joyful family life with three beautiful daughters, Meena, Paru and Rita. We are also blessed with 3 amazing grandchildren, the eldest is 16 years old. We would like to take a few minutes to convey “Thanks” to our extended family which is the people who work for Asian Media USA. They are the pillars of this organization. We reverence them for their dedication and hard work. They burn lots of night oil. I would also like to give a special thanks to all our supporters and general audiences.

Chicago IL: In spite of the inclemency of the arctic weather, the exquisite welcome reception for His Excellency Dr. Subramanyam Jaishankar, Indian Ambassador to U.S. hosted by Chicago Consul General Dr. Ausaf Sayeed was profoundly warmed by the presence of Chicago’s stellar leadership echelon who collectively exhibited a spirited rousing welcome to the new Ambassador at the Union League Club in downtown Chicago on February 27, 2014. In glowing terms, host Dr. Ausaf Sayeed, Chicago’s Consul General of India welcomed Ambassador Dr. Jaishankar and defined Ambassador as a brilliant diplomat enriched with three decades of shining international diplomatic experience. Dr. Ausaf Sayeed eloquently outlined Ambassador’s luminous credentials replete with milestone accomplishments that evoked goodwill applause from the guests. This finely elegant reception assumed a greater significance as Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar took charge as the Ambassador at a challenging time in the Indo-US relations strained by the Indian diplomat episode in New York. In his address His Excellency Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar heaped praises on the Indian American community as a ‘model community’ for their remarkable achievements. He that ‘romance phase of courtship’ has ended, and hard work is ahead. Speaking in sub-zero temperatures outside and against the backdrop of cooling of […]