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Chicago IL: The Chicago Chapter of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), which translates into United National Movement, USA, organized a protest march at the corner of Devon and Claremont avenues from 3.00 pm to 7.00pm on Saturday, May 4, 2013 to protest against the brutal and inhumane killing of MQM workers and ordinary citizens in Pakistan by religious extremists, Taliban members, as well as criminal gangs. More generally, these peace demonstrations, which were also held in New York City and Washington D.C., were to uphold and promote progressive liberal values and call for free and fair elections, as was evident from the banners in English and Urdu and the speeches delivered by community leaders. The demonstrators appealed to the internal community to stand firmly with Pakistan as the last line of defense against terrorism. In the last few days Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Pakistan had attacked two MQM election offices, killing more than twelve innocent workers and injuring more than 40 others. They had also just claimed responsibly for these attacks through the national media, warning citizens of Karachi not to take part in the election: they “will target those political parties in Pakistan who are secular, moderate, liberal, and enlightened. […]

Chicago IL: The Chicago Chapter of Akshaya Patra Foundation held its annual fundraiser on April 27th, 2013 at Intercontinental O’Hare, 5300 N. River Road, Rosemont, IL and received overwhelming community support for its great cause. Hunger is a problem that over 50 million children are battling silently in India. It keeps these children out of school and forces them to take menial jobs to bring home food for their families. Hunger also impedes their ability to learn. The Akshaya Patra Foundation is one of the world’s largest NGO which runs school meal programs serving over 1.3 million children daily in over 9,000 schools from 19 kitchens in nine states in India. A public-private partnership, Akshaya Patra combines good management, innovative technology and smart engineering to deliver school lunches at a fraction of the cost of similar programs in other parts of the world. The Akshaya Patra Foundation was recently ranked 23rd of the Top 100 NGOs in the World in The Global Journal’s 2013 annual ranking. The Global Journal also ranked Akshaya Patra 1st in the world for NGOs working to improve the lives of children and youth. Akshaya Patra’s mission is to simultaneously address childhood hunger and malnutrition and […]

Chicago IL: EquallyAble Foundation (EAF) launched its “1000 Wheelchairs in 10 Countries” campaign with a fundraising dinner on Saturday, April 27, 2013 at Monty’s Banquet Hall (703 S York Rd., Bensenville, IL 60106). The aim was to alleviate the day-to-day living of the physically challenged across the developing world. Each custom-fitted high terrain wheelchair costs $250 and every dollar spent is to be matched by a local partner in the recipient country to provide training or service. Uganda, Pakistan and Bangladesh are the first few countries to get these wheelchairs. EAF raised sufficient funds for well over 100 wheelchairs at this single event. After Zakaria Zuhaidi’s Quranic prayer, MC Rasheed Ahmed, President of Indian Muslim Council-USA, presented facts and statistics from his research on the disability worldwide before focusing on its peculiarities in South Asia. There are 650M (i.e., 1 out of 10) disabled persons with a higher rate among females: 8 out of 10 of these live in developing countries. The primary cause is violence, with three children disabled for every one killed. Those over 70 years of age are especially vulnerable. Everyone is susceptible through accident, illness, aging, etc., and it incapacitates the entire family, including the breadwinner, […]

Lemont, IL. Shanmukha Priya and Hari Priya, popularly known as the Priya Sisters gave a stellar performance to a packed hall at Sama Rathi auditorium of the Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago (HTGC) at Lemont, Ill. on April 19, 2013 on the occasion of Rama Navami. According to the HTGC press release, the concert was also co-sponsored by RR International and Raja Veena Foundation. Usha Pariti, Chair of the HTGC fine arts committee, introduced the event followed by a welcome speech by HTGC President Tilak Marwaha. Supriya Rao then introduced the artists. The concert concluded with a vote of thanks by HTGC Vice-President Bhima Reddy, with all the artistes being honored with silk shawls. The HTGC press release also shared some highlights from the concert. “Saami Ninne Nammi Naa Pai”, a stately Adi Tala varnam in Pantuvarali, sung in two speeds, began the concert. A brisk “Gana Naayakam” in Poornashadjam followed suit with quick solfege improvisation (kalpana-svara) in the pattern of ‘gmnns-npmgrs’, which is characteristic of the raga. After a moving “Marugelara” in raga Jayanthashri, the sisters took up Purvikalyani for a detailed delineation of this raga. Despite some minor audio issues and voice not cooperating at times, the sisters […]

Lemont IL: Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago (HTGC) in Lemont, Ill., culminated its eleven-day observance per tradition with three days of Rama Navami festivities that drew large crowds, according to an HTGC press release. The observance started on the April 11, the day of Ugadi (first day of the waxing phase of the moon in the month of Chaitra that marks the beginning of the Hindu new year) with the recitation of the Sundarakaanda chapter of the Ramayana and concluded on Sunday April 21 with the coronation (pattaabhisheka) of Sri Rama and the worship of the silver image of Hanuman (Rajata Hanuman Seva). Sri Rama Navami day festivities began Friday, April 19 with the special ablution of his image (mūrti) with the five nectarine substances (vishesha panchamrutha mahabhishekam) that was followed by special ornamentation on this day (sugandha-dravya-divasa) when perfumed substances were offered for the first time at the HTGC along with adorning Sri Sita Devi and Sri Lakshmana with new clothes. Another Bhadrachala Rama image received similar ornamentation as preparation for the “wedding festival” (kalyaanotsavam) that coincides with Rama Navami in South India. Throughout this ritual procedure, the “Gaana Sudha” group of devotees chanted the Thousand Names (sahasranaama) of […]

Chicago IL: The Indian American Medical Association Charitable Foundation of Chicago (IAMACF) hosted its annual charity gala, themed “Basic Healthcare for the Uninsured,” on Sunday, April 28, 2013, at the Waterford Banquet Hall, 933 S. Riverside Drive, Elmhurst, Illinois. The event was well attended by physicians, politicians, Chicago’s prominent businessman, community leaders and general public. Despite the country’s challenging economy, more than four hundred members participated in the event and generously pledged donations totaling $100,000 which will benefit uninsured, low-income population who receive services from IAMACF’s clinic. Providing this year’s Keynote address was Honorable Julie Hamos, Director of the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, with entertainment provided by Bollywood Sargam & Hitesh Master’s Orchestra Saregama. This year’s gracious Emcees were Mr. Ravi Baichwal of ABC’s Channel 7 and IAMACF’s very own, Dr. Annita John. The annual charity gala raises critical funds for IAMACF, to help operate its free community health clinic located in Chicago’s West Ridge community, which is the home to one of the most culturally diverse neighborhoods in the city and state. The IAMACF clinic has been providing free, basic primary healthcare services on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm for over 18 […]

Chicago IL:UP Association (UPA) of Greater Chicago Proudly presented its Annual Grand Hasya-Ras Kavi Sammelan featuring leading poets from India. Kunwar Bechain, Suresh Awasthi and Deepak Gupta, on Sunday, April 21, 2013 at Hinsdale Community Center in Hinsdale, Illinois. UPA put up another incredible evening of classic Hindi poetry. The Uttar Pradesh Association (UPA) of Greater Chicago was established in 1991 with the objective of bringing together people interested in Uttar Pradesh by promoting Indian music, art and culture. Their web site www.upassociation.com is dedicated to all the people interested in these objectives. It provides a platform for dissemination of information for the people in Chicago land. Their Cultural Programs, Kavi Sammelans and picnics are big attractions in Chicagoland and draw participants from all over the country and India as well. Dr. Ghanshyam Pandey, Chairman, Board of Trustees and Founder President gave a brief introduction of UPA. Ravi Arora, current president delivered welcoming address followed by introduction of Kavi’s by Dr. Subhash Pandey, member of Board and and past president. All these 3 famous leading Kavi and Hasykar are revered for their awakening and entertaining conscious of millions with their humor containing deep penetrating Satire poetry and comedy. During their […]

Chicago IL : Co-hosted by Saahil Exclusive and L.A. Tan “Krazy 2” Featuring Sunidhi Chauhan & Ali Zafar Live In Concert is a collective effort of Bhavesh Patel, Babu Patel, Mayur and Nick Patel. Sunidhi Chauhan and Ali Zafar rocked Sears Centre Arena, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway; Hoffman Estates, IL on 8:30 PM, Friday April 26th, 2013 with yet another unforgettable concert. Sunidhi did not disappoint enthusiastic crowd of more for about 3and half hours. Sunidhi Chauhan sang all her hot new numbers (old and new) from various Bollywood films songs which rocked the crowd. The Sensational Sunidhi Chauhan came with her new Hit songs, “Halkat Jawani”, “Disco Deewane” and many more. Halkat Jawani from the movie Heroine, Disco Deewane from Student of the Year, and Chikni Chameli with Bappi Lahiri, which is a new track being released now. She will also be paying a special tribute, for the first time, to Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhonsle with a yesteryear medley of their famous old song. Ali Zafar, Bollywood teen idol from Pakistan, performed in the USA for the first time. Zafar, the versatile actor of many talents, will perform beyond your typical song and dance show. The Hearthrob Ali […]