Category: Press releases

Chicago IL: Over 50 people gathered to celebrate old and new Bollywood songs on Saturday evening, September 14, 2013 at Saffron Indian Restaurant, 602 West Wise Road, Schaumburg, IL. Organized and presented by Ishaan Ahmed and Pramada Pathak of Chicago Desi Karaoke Group (CDKG), this “Musical Dhamaka Karaoke Night” was coordinated by Sanjay Varghese and Vipin Gulati. Ten singers, both amateur and professional, sang Bollywood songs nonstop from 7:30 till 11:30AM. The admission fee of $20 included vegetarian and non-vegetarian fare. Ishaan Ahmed began by singing “Tum Agar Saath Dene ka Vaada karo”by Mahender Kapoor from the movie Hamraaz; Sanjay Varghese “Akele Akele Kahan Ja Rahe Ho” by Mohammed Rafi from An evening in Paris; Vipin Gulati “Tere Chere pe wo jaado hai” by Kishore Kumar from Dharmatma; Pramada Pathak and Sanjay Varghese “Tujhe Deka to ye Jaana Sanam” by Lata Mangeshkar and Kumar Sanu from Dilwaale dulhaniya le jayenge; Ramesh Chalam ”Raat kali Ek Kwaab mein ayee” by Kishore Kumar from Budha Mil Gaya; Nipa Shah and Ramesh Chalam “Dekha ek khwaab to ye silsile hue” by Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore kumar from Silsila; Mukesh Shah “Lakhon hai nigah mein zindagi ki rah mein” by Mohammed Rafi from Phir […]

Chicago IL: Swami Mukundananda, founder of JK Yog and Bal-Mukund, launched his spiritual program in Chicagoland on Saturday, September 14, 2013, with a noon session of yoga, meditation, bhajans, and spiritual discourse titled “Body, Mind, Soul” at The Meadows Club, Rolling Meadows, Ill. Event sponsor and guest of honor Naren Patel who attended the event with his wife and sister, Lina Patel, welcomed the Swami with words of praise for his authenticity. Dressed in loose attire, attendees had brought long yoga mats for the exercises. The proceedings were conducted by Ajay Chandok. The Swami’s writings, songs, and other output were available in the form of books and digital media. Swami Mukundananda led the assembly in performing an ordered sequence of asanas (physical postures) accompanied by regulated breathing, shifting of attention to different parts of the body, and creative visualizations. In every case, he explained the various benefits in precise medical terms not forgetting to mention precautions for those suffering from specific ailments or subject to special conditions. Beginning with sitting (frog, etc.) postures, they transitioned to reclining (crocodile, etc.) asanas, and ended up with a “subtle body relaxation” in the corpse posture (shavaasana) to detach the soul from the body […]

Chicago IL: Air Tours, Inc., “One Stop Travel Shop” hosted its annual customer appreciation banquet on September 22, 2013 at The Meadows Club in Rolling Meadows, Ill for their Ticket / Holiday & Cruise Customers. There were many raffles including Two Business Class Air Tickets & Vacation Packages to Dubai/Singapore/Malaysia/Thailand/Turkey & India and many surprise prizes for their valued clients, the Mumbai Masti Group (MMG) provided live entertainment with full energy. The Air Tours have been market leader in Midwest Region for Tickets since inception and today is one among the top consolidators for the most major airlines. The hall was packed with more than 600 valued guest & invitees. The event started with socializing hour of cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, The Air Tours Staff welcomed the guest from the entrance and continued the hospitality, Program started by MC Beena Patel welcomed the guests present, and also clients who could not make it, to celebrate the company’s growth and achievements. Air Tours President Mr. Mafat Patel, VP Mr. Tulsi Patel, and Founder Mr. Amrit Patel—Joined by Amathi Patel and Medstar Laboratories CEO Mr. Naren Patel lit the auspicious lamp. MC recognized Mohammed Anwar from Etihad Airways, CEO Ravi Shankar from […]

Chicago IL: Hindi Lovers Club of Chicago celebrated Hindi Diwas Day and 150th Anniversary of Swami Vivekanand on 15th of Sept 2013 at Ashyana Banquets,1620 75th Street, Downers Grove, IL. Consul General Dr. Ausaf Sayeed was the Chief Guest. Hindi Lover’s Club is the first club of its kind for American Indians and showcases the true potential and versatility of the age-old language. This club is a part of the Indian culture and is a part of the Indian identity in Chicago. Hindi Lovers Club was officially formed as a non-for-profit social welfare organization on September 24, 2010 by three Hindi enthusiasts: Gurbachan Shewakramani, Usha Kamaria and Manjit Gill. Its main goal is to promote Hindi in simple ways, like day to day talking, writing our thoughts in Hindi bringing out Hindi literature which has been buried in this western world. Hindi Diwas was celebrated on 15th of September to commemorate the declaration of Hindi as the National Language of India on 14th September, 1949. Vinita Gulbani is the President of Hindi Lovers Club and it is her keen desire to promote their activities on a large scale and expand its horizons to greater heights. Vinita Gulbani in her unique […]

Chicago IL: Bharde Jholi Presented “Mehfil –E-Sama & Ghazal”, a Special Performance by Famous Qawwal Amjad Sabri, Son of the Legend Gulam Fareed Sabri, on Friday, September 13, 2013 at The Meadows Club, 2950 Golf Road Rolling Meadows, IL. Bharde Jholi is a group formed by Four likeminded friends with a view to present various programs. They are: Aqeel Akhtar, Ahmed Karim Jangda, Abdul R. Jangda, and Abdul Wahid Karim. “ Mehfil- E Sama & Ghazal” started with welcoming by Amin Haider Principal and MC of the evening. He introduced ‘Bhar De Jholi Group and also introduced Amjeed Sabri. Amjeed Sabri visited Chicago after lapse of 7 years in the same place, accompanied by Vocalist- Mohammed Salim Sabri and Talha Sabri, they were ably supported by Pervaiz Bijli on Dholak; Jamil Tampoo on Tabla and Dholak and Robin Jon on Key Board. Amjeed Sabri literally mesmerized the personified audience so much so that they were made dance on every songs and also made them rain Dollars in appreciation. He sang many wonderful songs lik, ‘Bharde Jholi’ ‘Mera Koi Nahi Tere Siva Allah’ Ye Shaadi Hai Mere Maulaki’ ‘Mohe Angana Angana Apu Khwaja Mere’ ‘Piyaki Shadi Men Tan Man Dhan’ ‘ […]

Chicago IL: Dada JP Vaswani’s commemorated his 95th birthday in Chicago on September 15, 2013 with an evening discourse on the “Five Pillars of Spirituality” at the Marriott Hotel in Burr Ridge, Ill. Among the guests of honor were the Mayors of Oak Brook and of Burr Ridge. Almost 500 devotees and members of the public, composed largely of members of the Sindhi community, filled the entire hall. This free event was preceded by an hour of melodious bhajans in Hindi by Pramila Bhatia and in English by Vinay Vaswani, a touching documentary presenting the work of the Sadhu Vaswani Mission in bringing joy to the poor and helpless in India, including dogs and other animals, and followed by a question and answer session with the renowned humanitarian. Sister Krishna Kumari presented the activities of the Pune Mission and Vaswani’s recent books brought from India, several of which focused on women. His birthday is of special religious significance for devotees. Ashiyana Narayani recounted his life work and presented her Chicago Youth group of volunteers, who were felicitated for their selfless services. Chair of the Sadhu Vaswani Center (SVC) of Chicago Gopal Lalmalani, who is also Mayor of Oakbrook, introduced Mickey […]

Elk grove Village, Illinois: Northwest Republican Annual Picnic this year had a very new look. The attendance estimated at over 1200 was twice the usual crowd that gathers every year. This year was unusual as Ex-NRCC Chairman and currently the Chairman of House Rules Committee, Congressman Pete Sessions, made a special trip from Dallas to attend the picnic and secondly, over 400 Indian Americans joined in. 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 launch the campaign of Manju Goel, a first generation Indian American, for U.S. Congress. Chairman Sessions and Shalli Kumar, Chairman of Indian American Advisory Council of House Republican Conference, a Chicago native, are co-chair of Sessions-Kumar project to elect as many as 8-10 Indian Americans to Congress. In introducing Chairman Sessions to the crowd, he said “ Chairman Pete Sessions is no ordinary leader. As head of NRCC in 2009, right after Obama’s big victory, he challenged Nancy Pelosi that we are going to take back the house in 2010….we all know what happened , it was the biggest gain of seats in over 50 years. And then in […]

Gandhinagar, Gujarat state (India): A successful three-day international conference on “Bakhtin in India” held at Gandhinagar, the capital of the Indian state of Gujarat, concluded on August 21, 2013, with the resolution to host a complementary follow-up conference on the relevance of Indian traditions to contemporary global issues. The conference was hosted by Prof. EV Ramakrishnan, Chairperson of the Centre for Comparative Literature and Translation Studies at the Central University of Gujarat (CUG), and was jointly organized with Prof. Prafulla Kar, who directs The Balwant Parekh Center for General Semantics and Other Human Sciences and The Forum for Contemporary Theory both based in Baroda (Vadodara, Gujarat). “Bakhtin in India” explored the relevance of the ideas of this famous Russian theorist of the last century on polyphony, dialogue, carnival, etc., towards understanding and reassessing Indian culture. Well more than a hundred, mostly Indian, scholars and enthusiastic students participated and responded to a wide range of papers. Participants came mostly from Depts. of English and Comparative Literature keen on consolidating their understanding of this difficult, problematic, and controversial thinker. They sought to contribute something original to Bakhtinian studies by testing his models and concepts against Indian religious and secular practices both ancient […]

Chicago IL: The Aurora-based Illinois chapter of the Jeeyar Educational Trust (JET), headquartered in New Jersey, hosted a collective ritual performance of the “auspicious marriage of Lord Rama and his consort Sita” (Sita Rama Kalyanam) conducted by his HH Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji. Preceded by an afternoon program of devotional songs and South Indian classical dances, the unusual event took place on September 7, 2013 at Harper College located in Palatine, Ill. The large number of registered participants seated in orderly rows with the divine images and material for worship neatly arranged before them filled the entire width and length of the gymnasium as many others followed with their eyes and ears from the stepped galleries on both sides. Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji is a “wandering monk” who belongs to the Vaishnava spiritual lineage of philosopher and reformer Acharya Shree Ramanuja. He walked between the rows distributing images of Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, and Hanuman, before explaining the philosophy underlying Hindu image-worship through a familiar idiom appealing to the American and Christian sensibility that did not hesitate to draw on the Bible. Inspired by his message and example, JET provides humanitarian services including schooling for tribals, fishermen, and the visually challenged, and […]

Chicago IL: Shere Punjab Sports & Cultural Club, Chicago held its annual Kabaddi cup tournament on September 1st at Busse Woods forest preserve which turned out to be a big festival of fun, food and sports. People not only from Chicagoland area but from Indiana, Ohio, Michigan and Wisconsin came in large numbers to enjoy this sports festival. The Kabaddi and Volleyball teams from Toronto, California, Indianapolis and Michigan participated in the tournament. In the evening a famous Punjabi folk singer Gill Hardeep entertained the audience with his popular songs for more than one and a half hour. Mr. Madan Popli from Milwaukee was the chief guest. In the open Kabaddi Cup matches the first prize was won by the Fateh Club, California defeating Miri Piri Sports Club, Indiana. The first prize of $5100 was sponsored by Jaswinder Singh Gill & Najar Singh Gill of Waukegan, Illinois and 2nd prize of $4100 was sponsored by Jaswinder Singh Jassi in memory of his father late. S. Major Singh. In under-21 kabaddi matches host Shere Punjab Sports club was the winner and Malton Sports club-Toronto (Canada) was the runner-up. Total four teams played. Under 21 Kabaddi prizes were given out by Baldev […]

Chicago IL: In the last few years Chicago land has become the hub of Indian programs and activities, in the row a musical evening with Siniti Mishra a remarkable singer of SAREGAMAPA (the Judge of Chicago Indian Icon) was organized by Shri Prashant Mohanty an Oriya community activist with support from Cecil Joseph of IDF USA, local Singer Chetan Saini a.k.a DJ Magic and Ravi Rawat of India House. The sole motive was to raise funds for Uttarakhand flood relief. Over 300 people were present at the event The program was held on Saturday September 7, 2013 at India House Banquet Schaumburg. Sound system was sponsored and coordinated by Chetan Saini and Milan Banerji who were accompanied by Live Band known as Apna style Band: having Asif on Keyboard, Zeeshan on Bass Guitar, Subhashish on Tabla and Nadeem on Drum. The program was emceed by versatile Stage artists Noman Khan and Nishma Patel who welcomed the crowd and began with National Anthem sung by Karen Joseph and Indian by Noman Khan. This was followed by Slide show depicting beginning and progress of IDF highlighting its activities and recognition. Thereafter Noman khan described vows suffered by Uttarakhand Disaster and a Slide […]

Chicago IL: Jalaram Mandir hosted its annual fundraising dinner with a Gujarati cultural program by the Swarkinnari ensemble on Friday, September 6, 2013 for a full house audience at The Meadows Club, Rolling Meadows, Ill. Around $70,000 was raised to fund temple expansion plans, from about 6400 to 14000 square feet, and for installation of the divine image (murti pratishtha) planned for 2013-14. Located at 425, Illinois Blvd, Hoffman Estates, Ill., the temple is dedicated to saint Jalaram, who is especially venerated in Kathiawad region of Gujarat state, most of all by his wider Thakkar community both in India and across the diaspora. Inaugurated in March 2008, temple membership has grown to over 4200 across North America. The event was coordinated by Jalaram Mandir’s Chief Priest, Board of Trustees, and Executive Committee. The event brochure featured messages of felicitation from Chairman of the Temple’s Board of Trustees Hasmukh Thakkar and Temple President Bhupendra Thakkar. After a social hour that lasted till 7:00 pm, MC Vipul Thakkar began with the invocation of Jalaram and welcomed the guests. Assisted by co-MC Ravi Thakkar, he Invited dignitaries and chief organizers to the stage, where the temple priest Shree Katenbhai Jani recited auspicious Vedic […]

Chicago IL: Hari Om Mandir headed by Ayodhia Salwan, Chairman along with Board of trustees, Executive board members and other senior members, celebrated the Sthapna of Vishal 20 feet one piece white makrana stone Hanuman ji Murti (tallest in the world) with great fervor and gaiety on Tuesday, August, 27th 2013. Everyone was waiting to witness the historic moment in their memories. Our installation experts started their job and with due respect started lifting Shiromani Bhagat Shri Hanuman Ji from laying position to standing position. While Chanting Hnuman chalissa continuously finally Shiromani Bhagat Shri Hanuman Ji was up and standing on the kesari aasan laid on the ground for Puja and Havan. Our very learned Shastri Yogesh Pandya and Pt. Dinesh kumar did the puja and havan with great devotion. Everyone was overjoyed to see Shiromani Bhagat Shri Hanuman Ji sakshat in front. Puja was followed with the speeches. Chairman Ayodhia Salwan was very excited to explain the journey of Hanuman ji from start of the project till date. He felt pride on the whole Hari Om Parivar and its togetherness, with the result of which we were witnessing the moment. He introduced and welcomed the chief guest of the […]

Chicago IL: FIA-Chicago’s magnificent journey of nearly three decades has reached a new milestone this weekend as the outsized crowds deluged the streets of Mahatma Gandhi Marg with a sense of nationalism and patriotic fervor as its grand spectacular India Independence Day parade set out its pageant with dazzling fanfare on Saturday August 17, 2013 from the corner of Devon Ave. & Western Ave. in Chicago. FIA-Chicago President Hina Trivedi Joined by Illinois Governor Pat Quinn, Parade Grand Marshall & Bollywood actress Soha Ali Khan the colorful parade set out its majestic march with a colorful convoy of artfully-decorated floats marching down with teeming visitors lined up on both side of the streets cheering, applauding and waving tri-color flags thus culminating the 3-day exciting celebrations hosted by FIA-Chicago in commemoration of the 67th Indian Independence Day. The 3-day festivities not only honored India’s Independence; but celebrated the India’s pluralism, reigning spirit of Indian democracy, enduring cultural heritage and thriving Indo-American friendship. After the flag-hoisting and singing of the national anthem, the parade gently set in motion with a VIP line-up replete with high-ranking elected officials that included former White House Chief of Staff Bill Daley, Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle, […]

Chicago IL:. Pakistani Chicago celebrated their homeland’s 66 years of independence on Sunday on August 18, 2013 in Chicago with a parade, festival Mela and live musical performance by singer from Pakistan. Blessing from Allah, beautiful day in the city made for a perfect day for a parade as thousands gathered for the Pakistan Independence Day Parade at Devon avenue. They celebrates their 66 years of independence from British rule by having their 23rd annual Parade and Taste of Pakistan festival. The parade stepped off from Devon and Damen Sunday afternoon, and the festival continued until 7:30 p.m. at Warren Park. The Parade was organized Pakistan United Parade Committee, Greater Chicago. Pakistan’s independence Parade attracted Mega crowd on Devon Avenue. The parade began at 12:00 noon and ended at 2:00 PM. The event all together was a fun filled family day. The streets of Devon were flooded with families screaming in pride “Pakistan Zindabad!” and “Happy Independence Day!”. Men, women, and children all were dressed for the occasion. Women wore their beautiful and colorful traditional dresses. The men wore their traditional white outfits with a green shawl. The Pakistani flag was waved in joy by many. Tattoos and face paint […]

Chicago IL: Counsel General of India, Chicago on the auspicious occasion of the 67th Anniversary of the freedom Day of India invited Elite Group of people comprising of Govt. Officers, Air India, US and other countries Diplomats, Leading personalities of Indian Community of Chicago on Thursday, August 15,2013 at 10-00 am at the premises of the Consulate general of Chicago at NBC Tower Building,455.N. City front Plaza Drive Suite No. 850, Chicago IL 606111. Indians in Chicago celebrated the country’s 67th Independence Day by Flag-Hoisting and Grand Reception. A large number of people gathered at the Indian Consulate General in downtown to join in the festivities as Consul General Ausuf Saeed unfurled the Tricolor amid cheers. This was followed by the singing of the Indian National Anthem and American National Anthem. Then the Consul General read President Pranab Mukherjee’s message to the Indians all over the world. There were many dignitaries present like Rishikant, Manager Air India, Naren Patel of MedStar Lab. Iftekhar Sharif, Hina Trivedi, etc. Later on the same day, Counsel General of India Dr. Ausaf Sayeed organzed Reception from 6-00 to 8-00 pm. At Chicago Cultural Centre, Preston Bradely Hall, 78E. Washington Street, Chicago IL60602. Following is […]

Chicago IL: Council General of Pakistan in Chicago celebrated the country’s Independence Day by Flag-Hoisting and Cake Cutting on Wednesday 14th August 2013 at 11-30 am. In heart of Chicago downtown with leading Chicago land entrepreneurs and citizens to honor the sacrifices of their freedom fighters who fought and to remember the work of their Founding Father Muhammad Ali Jinnah, for giving to them a country where dignity and individual freedom is assured. As usual a large number of Prominent Pakistani community Leaders, Businessmen, Journalists, Citizens, Americans Politicians and invited guests including children and students gathered at the Daily Plaza, 50 W. Washington Street, Chicago IL, to join the festivities.. This event was also attended by State Senator Ira Silverstein, Elderman 50th ward Debra Silverstein, Daniel Goff, Deputy Director, Office of Trade and Investment, – Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Office of the Governor, Andrew Spinilli, Associate Director – Office of the Mayor | International Relations and Protocol, David Carlin, Senior Advisor, Office of Illinois State Treasurer Dan Rutherford, Nettie Lasko, Immigrant Assistance Program Coordinator office of the Attorney General, Matt Abbot, Dir. Of Community Affairs, officer of Senator Mark Kirk, Talat Rashid representing Mayor of Bolingbrook Roger […]

Chicago IL: On behalf of Moneydart Global Services Inc., President Ajit Paul had invited various press representatives to their Press Conference at the Moneydart’s office on 2551 W Devon Avenue to share the success story of Money Dart and to meet Mr. Y. Sudhir Kumar Shetty, Chief Operating Officer, Global Operations and Mr. Promoth Manghat, Vice President, Global Operations along with Mr. Ajit Paul, Americas Regional Head talked on the occasion. Moneydart offers a range of currency exchange services using state-of-the-art technology to help transfer money quickly and securely, to anywhere Money Dart Global Service Inc. in Chicago, was established in and incorporated in Illinois. Current estimates show this company has annual revenue of $1 to 2.5 million and employs a staff of 7. Moneydart Global Services, Inc. was honored in to the Village of Hoffman Estates by the Chamber of Commerce in April 2011 Shehla Jamil Branch Manager; Ajit Paul President; Promot Manghat,Vice President Global Operations; Y. Sudhirkumar Kumar Shetty COO- Global Operations and Prabhakar Patel,Asst. Vice President Head Project America were present who gave details of their operation system, schemes, main goals etc. They gave satisfactory answers to the queries put forth related their working, Customer Satisfaction etc. […]

Schaumburg IL: Federation of Indian Associations, Chicago, under the leadership of President Ms. Rita Singh, successfully hosted the 67th Independence Day Gala Banquet on August 9th at India House Banquet in Schaumburg and Independence Day Parade on August 11, 2013 at India House Plaza in Schaumburg. The colorful banquet dinner event was attended by many VIPs personalities like Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth, Consul General of India Chicago Dr. Ausaf Sayeed, State Representatives Michelle Mussman, Marty Moylan, State Senator Michael Noland, Schaumburg Mayor Al Larson, Hanover Park Mayor Rodney Craig, Village of Oakbrook Mayor Mr. Gopal Lalmalani, Sohan Joshi NFIA President and Raja Krishnamurthy to name a few. In fact, for Consul General of India Chicago Dr. Sayeed, it was the first public appearance in Chicago after he took charge of Chicago Consulate. All these VIP dignitaries along with Banquet Chair Ms. Neelam Dwivedi addressed the audience on this occasion and wished everyone a very happy India’s 67th Independence Day. FIA President Rita Singh welcome all the guests and Participants on this occasion. She also told that our fore fathers had to fight against British Rule to get the independence but Father of nation Mahatma Gandhi taught us the path of non-violence […]

Skokie IL: On Sunday August 08, 2013 Muslims from all over the metropolitan area joyfully bustled into the Holiday Inn, 5300 Touhy Ave, Skokie, IL to join in on the global celebrations of Eid Ul-Fitr. While there were various venues that held Eid prayers throughout the region, one of the largest turnouts was at the Holiday Inn. The block was quite a sight to passersby. Groups of individuals in vibrant Indian-Pakistani clothing flooded the parking lots as they made their way to the exquisite banquet hall to commemorate the glorious day. Women in vibrant colored dresses, men in ethic outfits and children, smiling and laughing, filled the parking lots and were pouring into the hotel lobby. As individuals worked through the crowded doorways, volunteers from Eid committee gathered funds to recover event expenses. Demonstrating true Islamic generosity, many emptied their pockets and purses into the collecting bins before taking their shoes off and heading into the prayer halls. Men and women continuously and open-heartedly made space for incoming members so everyone would be able to partake in the namaz. Namaz was recited throughout the morning 8:30 AM, 9:30 AM and 10:30 AM to accommodate the 9,000 enthusiastic individuals in attendance. […]