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Chicago IL: Overseas friends of BJP (OFBJP) and Global Indians for Bharat Vikas (GIBV) organized ‘Walk for Unity’ in Chicago on the occasion of 65th Republic Day of India. The walk commenced at 12:30 PM from North Shore banquet, 2519 W Devon Ave, Chicago, IL. More than 200 people attended to show solidarity with the Gujarat government’s attempt to build a statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, even though temperature was brutally cold in Chicago. In USA 2 other places, Atlanta and Arkansas as similar event The walk was organized to show solidarity of Non Resident Indians (NRIs) with the Gujarat Government’s initiative to build world’s tallest statue in India the Statue of Unity to commemorate India’s unity in diversity and invaluable contributions of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel towards nation building. Global Indians for Bharat Vikas (gibv.org) aims for Congress Mukt Bharat and for bringing Sri Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister of India. This is a USA based forum for NRIs around the globe. This forum is open to all who want to see a change and see hope in Narendra Modi, irrespective of one’s political ideology. India is at a crossroads today. Only till recently the whole world was looking […]

Chicago IL: FIA Chicago IL celebrated 65th Indian Republic Day on Saturday – January 25, 2014 at Meadows Club, 2950 W Golf Road, Rolling Meadows, IL. It was the first ever time in the history of FIA that the event was free and by Invitations only guests. The celebration included Indian songs, dances, delicious food, a Hindi-play“Dastak” and meeting the invited dignitaries. FIA’s New Board for 2014 was declared as – President: Onkar Singh Sangha; Executive Vice President: Dhitu Bhagwakar; Vice Presidents: Bharti Desai, Rita Shah, Surinder Kalra, Mukesh Shah, Ravi Kapoor; General Secretary:Shahid Rizvi, Neil Khot; Jt. Secretary: Sam Azeemuddin; Treasurer: Surinder Palia; Jt Treasurer: Raju Shah, Directors: Shital Daftari, Amit Desai, Ninad Daftari. The program started with the traditional lighting of the lamp in presence of a large number of City, State and Federal elected officials and well-known Community leaders. Indian national anthem was sung by the versatile singer Shreelakha Mohanty, and the American national anthem was sung by Ashika Sachdev who has been an American Idol Contestant. A beautiful group dance was performed by Mudra Dance Academy on the music of the famous song Vande Matram by A.R. Rehman. The dance was choreographed by Kshama Shah. FIA […]

Chicago IL: Neither snow nor sleet of January 18, 2014 could dampen the spirit of the over 200 attendees who joined the Second Annual Lohri celebration hosted by the United Punjabis of America (UPA) at Ashyana Banquet in Downers Grove, Illinois. In keeping with joyous occasion, the audience came prepared to enjoy an evening of great festivity, fantastic Punjabi food and the rhythms of Bhangra music. Welcoming the audience, Manohar Sharma, the president of UPA, remarked on the significance of the festival of Lohri and the goodwill among people that it nurtures. Dharam Punwani, a member of the Board, reiterated the mission of UPA to be “preserving the rich Punjabi heritage, enhancing and strengthening the Punjabi community, and becoming a positive force for enhancing our neighborhoods, cities, states, country and the world”. Serving as the hosts of the evening, Om Dhingra and Pratibha Jairath kept the program flowing with charm and humor. The entertainment started with the singing of Sunder Mundariye led by Shammi Mittal, Pratibha and Ramesh Malhan. Then the audience was treated to a beautiful dance by young girls to a medley of Bollywood songs that was followed by an equally delightful dance by two of the mothers […]

Chicago, IL: Hari Om Mandir located at 6N020 Medinah Rd, Medinah, IL celebrated Lohri with traditional cultural dance and Bonfire on Saturday, January 12, 2014. The festival of Lohri was celebrated on 12th of January with traditional fervor and enthusiasm. The devotees witnessed a lively night of blazing bonfire. Lohri was distinguished to honor the day of harvesting crop. The time was considered very auspicious and special to a farmer as it rewarded him of his toil all the year round. A week before the Lohri preparations started including decorating the Mandir. A nicely decorated Punjabi Beda (Village) was created by Shastri Yogesh Pandya, Pt. Dinesh Kumar, Vikrant , Babu and Suchitra Sarkar; giving the real feeling of being in a Punjabi pind. It was decorated with Straw blocks, Chullah, Charkha (Spinning wheel), fresh vegetables, and 6 foot long sugar canes and many small decorative items creating a Punjabi village atmosphere. Lohri is also one of the most celebrated harvest festival in Punjab. It is the time for people to thank God for his kindness and for a plentiful harvest in the coming season. It is a time for communion celebration. A large number of devotees attended the Lohri function […]

Hoffman Estates, IL: Shree Jalaram Mandir located at 425, Illinois Blvd , Hoffman Estates , IL, celebrated 4th Volunteer Appreciation Day with Bollywood music on Saturday, January 11, 2014 at 6:00 pm. A sentimental evening was performed by talented artists in filmy style with old and new songs, which made the whole atmosphere joyful. More than 235 volunteers enjoyed the special evening. Saturday, January 11, 2014, was a day to appreciate every single person who had devoted their time towards the Mandir’s progress. In honor of such commitment, Jalaram Mandir Board decided to have a beautiful way to say thanks to all the volunteers with a Musical night and splendid dinner. At present, Mandir has team of approximately 235 volunteers, who are involved in various activities and perform duties with all their heart. There are lots of Temple in Chicago however Shree Jalaram Mandir is only Mandir that celebrates Volunteer Appreciation dinner with Bollywood style music and mastic. Rajendra Thakkar who is the volunteer coordinator, assigns volunteers whenever necessary. He requested the executive board of the Mandir to organize this event to recognize all the volunteers for their tireless service. Several volunteers prepared decorations for this event. Prior to Musical […]

Chicago IL: Board of Trustees of Jain Society of Metropolitan Chicago, unanimously elected their Chairman as Mr. Hemant Shah for the year 2014-1015, in the first Board meeting held on Tuesday, January 07, 2014. Established about 40 years ago, the Jain Society of Metropolitan Chicago (JSMC) serves more than 1600 families with various religious, cultural and educational programs on 14+ acres beautiful campus with recently renovated temple and auditoriom facility in Chicago’s suburb, Bartlett. In a brief remark, newly elected Jain Society’s Chairman Mr. Hemant Shah expressed heartfelt thanks to the Board of Trustees along with Executive Committee for bestowing their faith and confidence in his leadership. He mentioned that with enthusiasm, structured efforts, commitment, teamwork and unity; together we can raise the bar for JSMC, as a great organization for Jain community’s religious and cultural need in Chicagoland area. With his passion and devoted community leadership, Hemant Shah has succesfully served as Membership Secretary, Vice President and Trustee of this organization. He is also serving on a executive board of North American Jain’s umbrella organisation JAINA, as a Vice-President for Mid-west region. Engineer by profession and serving in IT division of AT&T, Mr Shah is also affiliated with many […]

New Delhi: In the prestigious presence of President Honorable Pranab Mukherjee and founder of Ahimsa Vishwa Bharti Acharya Dr. Lokesh Muni seminar was organized in Rashtrapati Bhawan to discuss 150th Anniversary Celebrations of Ambassador of peace and nonviolence renowned Jain Philosopher Shri Virchand Raghavji Gandhi. Prestigious Jain leaders Shri Subhash Oswal Senior Vice President of All Indian Jain Conference, Shri D.K. Jain (Luxar Group), Shri Mahesh Jain and Ms. Shobhna Jain graced the seminar with their presence. Founder of Ahimsa Vishwa Bharti Acharya Dr. Lokesh Muni on the occasion said that Shri Vir Chand Raganv Ji Gandhi addressed the World Religion Parliament, Chicago in 1893 with Swamy Vivekanand Ji. Shri Gandhi has not only played important role in spreading the Jain philosophy internationally but also promoted Indian Culture in different parts of the world. He successfully removed the false believes about Indian Culture. Shri Gandhi knew 14 Indian languages; along with Jain Religion he had deep knowledge of different religions and western Philosophy. In those days he helped Indians by sending help from America during drought. He greatly served the spiritual world by removing slaughter housed from Shri Samedshikhar Tirtha for its purity and by making Shatrunjay Thirtha tax free. […]

Chicago IL: The Federation of Indian Association, Chicago, Il (FIA ) announced its new Executive Board for the year 2014-2015 unanimously approved by all the members present with Onkar Sangha as it’s President (Elect)at India House Banquets on 12/21/2013. Sunil Shah Founder and Past President of FIA, Chicago,Il congratulated the new board and introduced them individually and the names are as follows: President: Onkar Singh Sangha, Executive Vice President: Dhitu Bhagwakar, Vice Presidents: Bharti Desai, Rita Shah, Surinder Kalra, Mukesh Shah, Ravi Kapoor, , General Secretary: Neil Khot, Jt Secretary: Sam Azeemuddin, Treasurer: Surinder Palia, Jt Treasurer: Raju Shah, Directors: Shital Daftari, Amit Desai. Sunil Shah mentioned that new team is extremely competent and excited to work united and are looking forward to organize several beautiful events in the upcoming year. Onkar Sangha invited everyone to join in celebration of 65th Republic Day of India held at Meadows Club, Rolling Meadows, IL on 01/25/2014 at 6.30 pm. The Gala Banquet Dinner would comprise of Beautiful Hindi Play ” Dastak ” Live Musical Orchestra, Colorful cultural entertainment programs. General Secretary Neil Khot proposed vote of Thanks. Picture #1 MemberNot seen in the picture are: Founding Committee Member Sunny Kular, Sayed, Outgoing […]