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Chicago IL: Vivekananda Vedanta Society (VVS) of Chicago hosted a two-day conference at the downtown Hilton from November 10, 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, the second day reached out to other major religions and also sought to recontextualize the Swami’s message and mission within the wider fabric of Hindu traditions. VVS Chicago Minister-in-Charge and Convener Swami Ishatmananda read out the blessings of Ramakrishna Mission President Swami Atmasthananda, who emphasized the contemporary universality of India’s ancient teachings. The full day proceedings were emceed by Octavia Harrison, an Afro-American VVS devotee since the early 70s. Conveying the blessings of Mata Amritanandamayi, Swami Dayamrita delivered an inspired speech on SV’s continuing relevance. SV “was a perfect blend of mental purity and vitality. Take up one idea, make that one idea your life, think of it, dream of it, live on that idea. Let the brain, muscles, nerves, and every part of your body be full of that idea and just leave every other idea alone. That is […]

Chicago IL: A gathering of over 100 people celebrated old and new Bollywood songs on Saturday November 16, 2013 at Masti Grill & Karaoke, 2948 West Devon Avenue, Chicago, IL. This sold out event started at 7PM and went on till 1:30AM with non-stop Bollywood songs being sang by 20 singers. Both amateurs and professional singers pleased the crowd for hours. Increasing popularity is evident in the increase in participants in this event. People participated from different suburbs of Chicago, southern Illinois and neighboring states of Wisconsin, Indiana and even Florida. The $20 admission fee included a full buffet of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes and over 5 hours of musical entertainment. Masti entertainment has his own venue which is Masti Grill & Karaoke Restaurant so all events will be held at this location. The evening started at 7:00 PM with an introduction-Dr Siraj Ahmed, an emcee along with our co-emcee Jeen Varghese. The first hour was open for the audience to show their hidden talents. Such talents included Sal Merchant, Nandini, Shaz, Virendra Kothari, Mohan, Rafi, Ishaan, Mustiaq and not to mention Moin with his beautiful Poetry which stole audiences heart. Also included was a social hour featuring some tasty […]

Carol Stream, IL: Republican Party is truly going all out to reach out to the minority and ethnic communities to build a new coalition. The occasion was to celebrate Diwali, Jain New Year, Guru Nanak Jayanti, Bharatiya New Year and Jai Bharat and Modi Vision the campaign of Manju Goel, a first generation Indian American, for U.S. Congress by Manju and Rajeev Goel Family supported by Bharatiya Senior Citizens of Chicago. The event was held from 1-00 to 8-00 pm on Sunday, November 17, 2013 at Rana- Reagan Community Center located at 343 St. Paul Blvd Carol Stream IL. This event was full of activity, entertainment, fun and food. Alka Tyler introduced Manju Goel as the voice of the people and the voice of common sense. She highlighted her personal experience in the healthcare industry as a big asset to the Indian American population, who, disproportionate to their population, represent 8% of all physicians in the country. Manju told the cheering crowd: “I ‘m running for congress because America is on the wrong track. We’re spending $1.35 for every $1.00 we bring in. We’re discouraging rather than encouraging entrepreneurs and job creators with burdensome regulations. I am deeply concerned about […]

Chicago IL: The Indian American Medical Association of Illinois held its 33rd Annual Meeting and Banquet on Saturday, November 16, 2013 at the classy Meadows Club reflecting on the highlights of this year and focusing on its future in the coming year. IAMA is a non-profit professional organization comprised of Illinois Physicians of Indian Origin committed to professional excellence in quality patient care, teaching and community education. Their motto is Unity of purpose, collegiality in action, commitment to excellence and compassion towards fellow beings. Dignitaries present were: His Holiness Sant Rajinder Singh ji, his wife Rita ji and his son Dr. Kunwarjit Singh and his wife, Mr. Ken Busch, President Elect Chicago Medical Society; Mr. Mickey Straube, Mayor of Burr Ridge; Dr. Gopal Lalmalani, Mayor of Oakbrook; Dr. Ramanathan Raju, CEO Cook County Health and Hospitals System; Mr. Yash Amin, Director of Drug Compliance, Illinois Professional Regulation; Ms. Manju Goel, Candidate for Congress from 8th District and Ms. Swati Dandekar Candidate for Congress from IOWA and many others. Cocktail Reception started from 6-00 pm onwards. There were different booths of Vendors which included I-med IT; Atlantic Realty Associates & Property Services; Global Financial Group; Manju for Congress; Aishwarya’s Kreations; Angel […]

Chicago IL: For Hindus, the festival of Diwali presents an opportunity to renew the rich traditions of their roots with great fanfare as well as a chance to reflect and introspect. Realizing these important facts, His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the spiritual leader of BAPS, inspires programs across BAPS centers worldwide to celebrate Hindu festivals, such as Diwali. With a beautifully decorated mandir, fireworks lighting up the night sky, and displays of various types of sweets and food dishes, a festive ambiance was created at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Bartlett over the course of the past week to observe one of the most renowned Hindu festivals of the year. The foundation of Diwali is based in the belief of dispelling darkness with light. While candles are lit to remove darkness, more important is the recognition of the darkness within human nature manifested through destructive emotions such as anger, envy, greed, arrogance, and hatred. The festival of Diwali is celebrated over five days, with each day carrying its own unique significance and form of celebration. Festivities began on Saturday, October 26th where hundreds of kids and parents alike gathered for the Children’s Diwali Celebration. The program included fun-filled games […]

Chicago IL: Air India Chicago invited Media Partners to “Air India’s Onboard Menu Presentation and meal sampling for 2013-14” being held on Friday, November 15, 2013 at Flying Food Servair inflight caterers, 4330 N Trans World Road, Schiller Park at 12-00 Noon. Manager Rishikant Singh, District Passenger Sales Manager Katherine Thorat, Deputy Manager Airport, Sonny Thomas welcomed the members of the Media. Sonny Thomas invited all to the area where meal service tray for each of the three classes of service in appropriate crockery were on display for inspection. Vasant Pakhiddey, the Indian chef of Flying Foods held forth on different items being served in the flight and types of meal which included Jain, Continental, Vegetarian and Non vegetarian foods. He fielded all queries regarding the preparation, time taken, various processes, the kitchen facility regarding hygienic care, quality, and certification. He praised the high standards of Inflight catering in US and that of Air India. Rishikant Singh advised the constant research on menu for stomach times of flyers depending on the route flown, the food preparation process, health and hygiene standards, quantum and number of services, besides menu changes and improvement of tastes. The inflight menu does try to cater […]

Chicago IL: Pratham Chicago celebrated its 2013 Annual Gala on November 16, 2013, at the Best Western Plus Hotel in Schaumburg. The theme of the Gala was “Educate a Child and Empower a Community”. The Gala Co-Chairs Prabha Ravi and Komal Patel organized an exciting evening focusing on the children and college students in Chicago who have volunteered to raise money for educating the poor children in India. Kamal Hans of Rasaka Theater Company was the Master of Ceremonies and helped with the pledge drive to collect $95,000 during the evening. The evening began with a classical Bharat Natyam fusion dance performed by the students of University of Chicago(UC). It was followed by a short summary of Pratham activities in India, presented by Dr. Raj Rajaram, President of the Chicago chapter. He mentioned the following four major programs conducted in 19 states: 1. Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) based on data from 595 districts (out of a total of 600 districts) which is used by the government of India as a benchmark of Education Quality in India. The ASER survey method is being followed in 7 other countries. 2. Read India program in 250 districts which emphasizes reading, writing […]

Chicago, IL : On Saturday, November 9th, 2013, Six Gam Patidar Samaj (SGPS) hosted a splendid Diwali Dinner Celebration with SGPS Families, Friends, and Relatives. The event was held at India House Banquet, 1521 W Schaumburg Rd, Schaumburg, Illinois 60194 The evening was full of exciting short speeches, delicious traditional Diwali chow, and Live Entertainment, Spectacular Cocktail Reception, Dazzling Decoration, Indian Food, Cultural Programs, Vibrant Dances. Diwali is one of the biggest Hindu festivals celebrated among many people and communities in the United States. Many schools, community groups, Hindu associations, Indian organizations and corporate businesses get involved in celebrating Diwali. Politicians, including governors and past presidents, previously made public announcements expressing their greetings and well wishes to Hindus on Diwali. Event’s Master of ceremony was conducted by SGPS-Chicago secretary Nirav Amin, and Binti Patel(Daughter of Kamlesh Patel, SGPS Board of trustee). The event started around early evening hours with a spectacular cocktail reception, lasting for almost an hour and half. SGPS families and friends greeted each other with warmth enjoying mouth watering Indian appetizers. Right after that the event was started with an American and Indian national anthem by Eva M Patel. The welcome speech was given by SGPS-Chicago president […]