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Schaumburg, IL: Gujarati Samaj Chicago organized a gala Diwali Dinner and Dazzling Bollywood Masti on Saturday, November 10, 2012, at India House Banquet located in 1521, Schaumburg Road, IL Illinois. The evening was attended by about 612 guests. The evening started with social hour with many choices of delicious tasteful appetizers and soft drinks to neutralize sting of spicy dishes. MC for the occasion was the Manish Pandya, who kept the crowd fluid, attentive, and involved for total length of the program. Diva lighting ceremony was performed by Chief Guest Harshit Patel from NY Life and appreciated that Diwali Festival is being celebrated and conveyed his best wishes for Happy Diwali to all. MC called on stage Jasbir and Shital Patel. Addressing the gathering, current President Suryakant Patel wished everyone a Happy Diwali and Happy New Year! He said, “Diwali marks the attainment of moksha or nirvana and to rejoice conquering of evil Ravan by Lord Ram. Let us thank, pray, and celebrate for all the blessing by supreme Bhagavan.” He outlined objectives of the Samaj that “We are glad to be serving the Chicago Metropolitan area for many years. Our goals are to encourage people to explore and learn […]

Rolling Meadows, IL: It was an evening full of color, celebrations, great food and sizzling music as the Six Gam Patidar Samaj of Chicago held its annual Diwali banquet at The Meadows Club on Friday, November 9 2012. Over 440 Six Gamis gathered together dressed in colorful traditional attire to celebrate Diwali with verve and joy associated with Gujaratis allover. The cocktail hour kicked off at 6.30 pm with tasty appetizers. Program started with the ceremonial lamp lighting by the President, Dilip Patel, Chief Guest Naren Patel and the Board of Trustees and happy spirits and was followed by some colorful dances by young second generation Gujarati American dancers. Some rocking Bollywood numbers were the flavors of the evening. The dances were followed by brief speeches by the President Dilip Patel and other officials of the Samaj who thanked the members for their whole hearted support of the organization. Leading members of association and sponsors were then introduced. Diptesh Desai was the master of ceremonies. A delicious dinner cooked by the Chefs of the Meadows Club followed and put the attendees in the right spirit for a couple of hours of riveting entertainment from singers Samir Date and Dipalee Somaiyya […]

Chicago IL: Festivity is in the air as Chicago land is all set to celebrate the Diwali once again. Having considerable Indian presence, mood in Chicago is upbeat Indian community members and the Temple are geared up to celebrate. Jain Society of Metropolitan Chicago (JSMC) celebrated Diwali Gala on Friday, November 10, 2012 at Jain Center, 435 N. Route 59, Bartlett, IL. Purpose and goal of organizing this event was dual, Diwali Celebration and Membership Appreciation Dinner. The auditorium was fully packed with about 600 people This was a ticketed event with VIP and Regular seating passes for $20 and $10 respectively for JSMC Life members. Non-Members paid additional $5. Diwali is a festival of utmost importance in the Indian subcontinent. It is celebrated with exceptional enthusiasm across the country by people of every sect and religion. People light diyas (cotton string wicks inserted in small clay pots filled with oil) to signify victory of good over the evil within an individual. As with other Indian festivals, Diwali signifies many different things to people across the country. While in North India Diwali celebrates Rama’s return to Ayodhya after the defeat of Ravana and his coronation as king, in Gujarat, the […]

Chicago IL: Hi India, Sixgam Patidar Samaj of Chicago presented Dandiya Dhoom with Dandiya Queen Falguni Pathak on Saturday, November 03, 2012 at Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N River Rd, Des Plaines, Illinois 60018. Ticket charges were $20 (Advance and Online) $25 at the Door. The Convention Center was fully crowded with over enthusiastic people of all ages encompassing the whole arena with more than 5000 present. Participants enjoyed clapping, dancing, moving and playing Garbas and Raas in full swing up to 1-30 am, when it was closed on account of time. Falguni Pathak’s name is synonymous with fantastic beats, powerful melodious voice and of course Navratri and Dandiya. Falguni Pathak performed her new list of Gujarati folk tales and hit songs from latest upcoming Bollywood movie releases. With the right blend of her heart-filling compositions to romantic lyrics and melodic voice Falguni Pathak surely enthralled all. The talented and highly energetic, Falguni Pathak is a real diva in making. She can leave you gasping for breath with her high pitched performances, be it her powerful vocal chords or her on-stage charisma. Falguni is an epitome of our Navratri celebrations in Mumbai. She is not only respected in […]

Chicago IL: Chinmaya Mission Chicago Badri and Yamunotri Centers together held its annual fundraising gala on Sunday, November 4th, 2012 at the renowned Waterford Banquet and Conference Center, located at 933 South Riverside Drive, Elmhurst, Illinois. The Mission holds their annual gala to help its growth and continue serving the Chicago area Indian community. Over 700 individuals attended this heartwarming event, which had speeches by Swami Sharananandaji and Swami Ishwaranand of Chinmaya Mission Los Angeles. More than $200,000 was raised in donations. There were also remarkable cultural performances presented by students of Bala Vihar. The theme of this year’s banquet was “Gratitude is the Attitude’. Distinguished dignitaries in attendance were Prof. and Mrs. Bala Bala Chandran, Dr. Gopal Lalmalani, Amrit Mittal, Nand Kumar and Dr. Lata, Dr. Sudarshan Sharma and Nituji, Mr. Rishikant Singh, Gen Mgr of Air India, Chicago, Mr. & Mrs. Sanjay Sharma, Finance Mgr. of Air India, Chicago, Dr. Bharat Barai, and other prominent Indian community members. The evening commenced with a traditional PurnaKumbha, Invocation, Gurustotram Chanting, welcome for the Acharyas, Honorable Head Table Guests, accompanied by Vedic Chanting that was rendered by Sevikas of the mission. The Acharyas then proceeded to light the lamp and paid […]

Chicago IL: Punjabi folk dance Bhangra teams from Columbia university, George Mason University, Duke university, Washington University, and independent traditional teams from Chicago “Ministry of Bhangra”, and “Ankh-E-Gabroo” from New York competed in the 8th PCS Chicago International Bhangra and Gidha Competition held on Nov. 3, 2012 at Des Plaines Theater in Des Plaines Illinois. Dr. Bhupinder Singh Saini of Pain Management Milwaukee Wisconsin was the chief guest. More than 800 attended this colorful high energy performing arts show punctuated with hilarious comedy by Jus Reign of Canada, and stellar performances of Gidha by Punjab Sports and Culture Club of Cincinnati Ohio and a variety fusion dance by Chicago Dhamaal. More than 120 male and female performers from all over the country participated in this event. The competition this year was among the Bhangra teams only. In addition to the great Bhangra competition experience, the participants had a lot of fun games and dancing during pre-event social mixers, post-event networking parties, meals and celebrations like a youth festival. “Ankh-E-Gabroo” an independent traditional bhangra team from New York won the Bragging rights to the 2012 PCS Chicago Bhangra Championship first place trophy and $1500 cash prize sponsored by Punjab Sports and […]