Category: Press releases

Chicago, IL: Hand in Hand USA (HiH) held its 11th annual fundraiser the evening of Saturday, April 6, 2013 at the Holiday Inn, 3405 W Algonquin Rd., Rolling Meadows, Ill. Over $120K was raised during the event after a generous donor offered to match all other contributions dollar for dollar. There was also a cultural program of dances and songs by local performers. Mayors of three neighboring cities, chief guest Al Larson of Schaumburg, Bill McLeod of Hoffman Estates, and Rodney Craig of Hanover Park graced the occasion. Larson made a brief speech urging the community to vote for his colleague Bill McLeod in the upcoming municipal elections for Village President. MC for the evening was Elizabeth Munnich Dash, daughter-in-law of longtime active HiH volunteers Mihir and Usha Dash. A documentary on HiH philanthropic activities kept playing before the event began. HiH President Durga Chinduri acknowledged the presence of the Mayors, welcomed the guests, and emphasized that 95% of funds received go directly to the projects, with hardly any overhead costs, for everyone here is a volunteer with no paid staff. Munnich Dash quoted C.S Lewis that “the proper aim of giving is to put the recipients in a state […]

School after school, Church after church, Temple after temple, Shrine after shrine, there were thousands of shoes/sandals outside the doors. Wow! Why? Many of the children ran around in the remote rural villages without shoes perhaps because they didn’t have footwear but because the ground was sacred. Where the animals sojourned is sacred ground. Where the people plowed the fields for beautiful sun flowers was sacred. Where the mother milked the water buffalo for sustenance was sacred. Where the children were born and lived in humble two room houses was sacred. Where the blood of martyrs fertilized the land like Gandhi and Thomas the Apostle became sacred ground. And so I was prepared when I finally entered the sacred shrine of St. Thomas the Apostle tomb, the “shoe caretaker” stopped me at the entrance and pointed to my shoes. I immediately knew to remove them for I am AGAIN on sacred ground. Thus, I descended into the tomb chapel of St. Thomas Apostle in my bare feet, vested for holy mass and for the first time presided at mass in my bare feet over the tomb of St. Thomas. Wow! I will never again be afraid to take off my […]

New Delhi, 2nd April 2013: President Mr. Pranab Mukherjee expressing his worry on increasing incidents of crime on women and female foeticide said that social organizations should work to stop such incidents. Mr. Pranab Mukherjee was releasing the first copy of new edition of books written by Acharya Dr. Lokesh Muni ‘The Unborn Curse’ and ‘Terrorism the Global Challenge’. On the occasion State Minister for Coal Shri Shriprakash Jaiswal was also present. Mr. Mukerjee said that crime on women and female foeticide cannot be stopped just by law, for this people have to change their thinking for females. Female foeticide will lead to increase in crime, chaos and moral degradation in the society. Appreciating both the socially relevant books written by Acharya Dr. Lokesh Muni he said that these books will help in changing the thinking of people. He further said that this is not the problem related to any cast, creed or religion; this problem is faced by the whole society. The whole society together has to worry about this problem and change will come when everyone will make efforts to solve it. President Mr. Mukherjee said war, violence and terrorism cannot solve any problem. Remembering incidents from his […]

India Ahmedabad: For over 40 years, His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the spiritual leader of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), has travelled throughout the world, from villages in rural India to metropolitan cities in America. He has visited the homes of thousands of devotees, providing solace and guidance in both spiritual and personal matters. For the past few months, however, his advancing age has prevented him from travelling and imparting such personal guidance as before. On March 6, Pramukh Swami Maharaj announced through a letter that all sadhus and devotees should now consult Pujya Mahant Swami (Keshavjivan Swami) for guidance on their day-to-day affairs and issues. The letter was read out in a public assembly by Pujya Doctor Swami (Swayamprakash Swami) in Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s presence in Ahmedabad. Senior swamis of BAPS explained, “Pramukh Swami Maharaj continues to be the spiritual head and guru of the organization. However, as he is 92 years old now, and naturally due to health-related limitations, he is no longer able to travel to villages and cities to reach out to the followers as he did before, when he often met hundreds of people daily to give spiritual guidance.” Pujya Keshavjivan Swami, also known as Pujya […]

Chicago IL: Traditional Bharatnatyam repertoire is called Margam or journey. The dancers of Bharatam Academy of Dance took the audience on this delightful journey with a dazzling display of Bharatnatyam dances ranging from beginner to those of the highest professional calibre. The occasion was “Bharatam Dance Showcase 2013” at the Oswego East High School auditorium on March 23rd, 2013. In her introductory remarks, Guru Vanitha reiterated that art of Bharatnatyam is a rich continuum and living tradition of South India. It was apparent to any spectator that more than the students going through the art, the art had gone through the students, who graced the stage with poise and delight, displaying these rich traditions here in the USA. This was a testimony to Guru Vanitha, whose commitment to the art of Bharatnatyam is a testimony that for her, dance is a way of life. The emcee for the evening, Ranjani Rajan, welcomed the audience and introduced each of the dances with a brief description of the dance along with classical notations for the song that accompanied the dance. The program began with Nritta Anjali, a prayer and offering with pure classical dance elements, set to Adi Talam. After that, dancers […]

Chicago IL: In response to the recent wave of violence across the USA, the Art of Living Foundation (AOLF) has launched an ambitious movement, Non-Violence: No Higher Calling (NonVio) that was kicked off personally from Chicago by AOLF founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont the evening of Thursday, March 28, 2013. Significant participation of local grassroots civic organizations grappling with this pandemic, having Chicago as its epicenter, was capped by vocal endorsements from Illinois politicians and bureaucrats. Present were US Representatives Jan Schakowsky (9th District) and Danny Davis (7th), Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, and 47th Ward Alderman Ameya Pawar. Governor Pat Quinn’s resolution making March 28 “Non-Violence: No Higher Calling” Day across Illinois was introduced by AOLF teacher for the past 20 years Debra Poneman and read out by the Governor’s representative Teresa Marr, who presented a plaque to Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in attestation. This NonVio campaign calls for individual pledges to acts of nonviolence to counter the growing violence epidemic (www.nonvio.org). The goal is to accumulate one billion pledges, which is100 pledges for every one act of violence recorded in the US each year. For Ravi Shankar, the […]

Bartlett, IL: Committed to the progress and growth of women worldwide, BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha celebrated its sixth annual Midwest Women’s Conference held in Bartlett, Illinois on March 30, 2013. Over 450 women of all ages were in attendance at the conference which focused on this year’s theme of “Timeless Traditions: Celebrating the Past, Cultivating the Future”. The conference focused on understanding the glory of Hindu traditions, communicating them with ease, and nurturing future generations by preserving a priceless culture and traditions. The conference started with a traditional Hindu prayer for peace and candle lightening ceremony. A group, which included a mother and daughter, from the Kalapadma Dance Academy performed a traditional dance on stage, while a daughter and her mother shared hosting duties; it was evident that our youth is committed to maintaining their timeless traditions and family values. Dr. Aditi Sheth, a Psychiatrist at Cleveland Clinic, stated “At the end of the day —While it “takes a village” to raise a child, it is a parent’s responsibility, especially a mothers’ responsibility. It starts with us….. It starts in our homes –our values like touching feet of our elders, our choice of language…,our food, clothes …all of it”. In 1996, […]

Chicago IL: Adnan Sami staged a live concert on Saturday, March 30, 2013 at Sears Center, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates, Ill. The multi-talented pianist, singer, composer, actor, and musician, also reputed to be the world’s fastest keyboardist, was back in Chicago after eight years with a spectacular new show presented by Combined Oil Company, Live 2U, and Desi Bazaar. Sami mesmerized an enthusiastic crowd of more than 3800 listeners for about 3 hours. British-born 39-year old Sami is of Pakistani origin, currently holds Canadian citizenship, and lives in Mumbai, India. His style merges Asian and Western music styles and instrumentation and ranges from classical to jazz to modern pop-rock. The first person to play Indian Classical music on the electric piano, Sami is featured in a documentary recently commissioned by the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office amongst the ten most famous names from India and Pakistan, who have influenced Asian culture in the UK over the last fifty years. He is committed to experimenting with new styles and forms rather than be taken hostage by past successes. Sami started by singing “Allahu Akbar” and showing his virtuosity on the keyboard. He went on to sing the following songs: […]

Chicago IL: Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago (PCS) celebrated its annual Baisakhi festival Rangla Punjab 2013 at Copernicus Theater (5216 W. Lawrence Ave. Chicago) on Saturday, March 30, 2013. The program was divided into four quarters each with its own MC. Sikh associations of Milwaukee contributed several dance performances with an authentic rural flavor that were greeted with appreciative hoots by the Chicagoland audience. Awards were presented to several individuals for outstanding services to the Sikh community. Illinois State Treasurer Dan Rutherford was guest of honor. PCS Founder and Past President Rajinder Singh Mago welcomed the audience. The first part of the program was emceed by Navraaz Kaur Basati, who kept switching between English and Punjabi, on behalf of her father PCS past president Thakar Singh Basati. Born in the US and married to a non-Desi, she recounted various travel anecdotes juxtaposing Punjabi, Indian, and American culture. Children of the Sikh Community of Chicago coordinated by Gurmukh Singh kicked off the evening with Shabad or Sikh hymns from the holy books. Avneet Kular, Gia Dhaliwal, Rasna Dhillon, Budna Kaur, Parlyn Banipal, and Asees Khaira of Navi Paneeri performed a dance choreographed by Sukhwinder Kaur. Avtar Singh Multani then sang “Jag […]

Chicago IL: Consul General of Islamic Republic of Pakistan Zaheer Pervaiz Khan hosted a reception to celebrate the 73rd Pakistan National Day with Diplomats, Chicago land entrepreneurs, community leaders, journalists, and eminent citizens to honor the sacrifices of Pakistan’s freedom fighters and to commemorate Founding Father Jinnah, for giving them a country where individual dignity and religious freedom is assured for all citizens. This event was held on Saturday, March 23, 2013 evening at Holiday Inn Oakbrook, 17 West 350 22nd Street, Oakbrook Terrace, IL. There was a full house of over 400 participants. The event was part of celebrations Pakistanis observed across the world on 23rd March to commemorate passage of Lahore Resolution in 1940, which laid the foundation for the creation of Pakistan. Americans politicians among the invited guests included Illinois State Treasurer Dan Rutherford, Illinois Finance Policy & Operations Director Sohair Omer, City Comptroller of Office of Chicago Mayor Amer Ahmad, and Immigrant Assistance Program Coordinator Nettie Lasko. Many members of the diplomatic community in Chicago also attended. The function began with recitation from the Holy Qur’an by Mansoor Ahmed followed by welcome speech by Samreen Khan. Mr. Zaheer Pervaiz Khan saluted the Pakistan flag. National anthems […]

Chicago IL: It was a day to remember for all the women who participated in the International Women’s Day which was organized by enthusiastic volunteers of TACG & ATA on March 23rd, 2013 at the Holiday Inn in Mount Prospect, IL. TAGC is a non-profit organization devoted to the awareness and promotion of Telugu Heritage and Culture in the mid-west region headquartered in Chicago. The Association was originally founded in 1971 and incorporated as a non-profit organization by the year 1978. What was once a brain child of small group of individuals, TAGC has grown to be one of the oldest and largest Indo-American organizations in the United States. ATA (American Telugu Association) is a non profit national organization and was founded in 1990, head quartertered in Chicago. The main purpose of the organization is to assist and promote literary, cultural, educational, religious, social, economic, health and community activities of the people of Telugu origin as well as to promote exchange programs for students, scientists, and professionals of telugu origin between the United States of America, Canada and India and other countries. For the first time TAGC together with American Telugu Association (ATA) put together this outstanding event which brought […]

Lemont, IL: Association of Rajasthanis in America (ARA) celebrated the Holi festival on Saturday, March 23, 2013 at the Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago (HTGC), 10915 Lemont Rd, Lemont, Ill., with an evening of colorful dances, good food, and much socializing. The event was organized by outgoing ARA President Ram Saini and presided by incoming President Sunita Sarup. Quite a few non-Rajasthanis, e.g., from Madhya Pradesh, were present. To keep up the Holi spirit, many guests showed up with faces already colored with powders. Sarup invited the volunteers who had contributed to the evening’s success to join her before welcoming the audience and announcing the ARA program for this year: develop leaders in its youth wing, promote small businesses, expand community services, and a monthly newsletter. Ram Saini’s little daughter Riddhi presented the cultural program with these words: “I want to tell you about my dad. Last year he was president and did a lot of hard work. He is no longer president but still helps out a lot. I hope you enjoy the program and happy Holi!” Riddhi danced to the song Soniye Soniye from the movie Aksar. Dr. Virendra Mathur sang a Hindi song celebrating the advent of […]

Chicago IL: HTGC (Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago) in Lemont hosted its semi-annual fund raising dinner of 2013 on Saturday, March 16. This event had a different format from the previous fund raisers in so many ways. As the intent of the program was to bring in as many people into the auditorium as possible, the guests were treated to a nice dinner in buffet style before the start of the main event in the Gupta dining hall instead of the usual banquet style dinner during the event in the Rathi Auditorium. Also, this one provided a platform for as many as eight local singers and other accompanying artists who were able to show their musical talents during the program in all four southern languages in addition to Hindi. A capacity crowd of more than 400 people enjoyed the event that lasted over four hours and was co-sponsored by Ram Raghuraman of RR International. The program was off to a good start at 7:30 pm with an invocation prayer from temple priests Sri Saikrishna and Sri Vengatesan followed by brief welcoming addresses by Finance Committee chair Dr. Rohini Udupa and the president Mr. Tilak Marwaha. Both exhorted the audiences for […]

Chicago IL: The Indo-American Heritage Museum (IAHM) staged its annual “Amazing India” program on Sunday, March 17, 2013 from noon to 5 pm as part of Navy Pier’s “Neighborhoods of the World” program from Feb. 17 to April 7 that showcases the ethnic diversity of the immigrant communities across Chicagoland. Presented at the Crystal Gardens in partnership with the Consulate General of India, the show featured dances by Chitrahar Cultural Academy, Natya Dance Theatre, Kalapriya Center for Indian Performing Arts, Anila Sinha Foundation, Satrangi Dance Group, Hareepa! Chicago, and Meher Dance Company. Madhoolica Dear and Happie Datt from IAHM introduced “Amazing India” and emceed the event. The venue was tightly packed right from noon and audience participation continued unabated till 5 pm. Choreographer-instructor Anjali Julka introduced Chitrahar Cultural Academy founded by her mother, the late Vichitra Nayyar. Two groups of children aged 3–6 and 7–12 performed to the following Bollywood songs: Bum Bum Bole, Bole Chudiyan, Navrai Majhi, and Sadi Gali. Julka’s sister choreographer-instructor Alka Nayyar danced to Piya Tose Naina Lage and Gun Gun Guna. Julka and Nayyar then led an interactive Bollywood Bhangra. Natya Dance Theatre offered three items, introduced by Nithya Sunder, beginning with “colors of rhythms” […]

Chicago, IL: Kalapadma Dance Academy Chicago celebrated their 16th Annual day Event with students and their families, friends and prominent leaders of our community on Saturday, March 16, 2013 in Mundelein High School, 1350 W Hawley St Mundelein, IL. Students of Kalapadma, ranging in ages from 3 to 50 yrs, adorned in colorful costumes, dazzled the audience of about 600 art lovers of Greater Chicago land area. It was 3 hours of pure entertainment that consisted of Indian classical as well as, Semi Classical, and fusion dances which were presented by more than 105 students. Such a grand show was made available to the audience at no cost. The theme of this year’s show was women for three reasons, Kalapadma wanted to pay homage to the medical student who was brutally raped in Delhi, it also coincided with international women’s day, and Kalapadma wanted to show support for President Obama’s initiative towards the violence against women bill and equal pay. Keeping women in mind Kalapadma decided to acknowledge all the participants grandmothers as chief guests. Representing these grandmothers was four of the oldest from the north, central, and south India. Mrs. Sumitraben Patel, a grandmother herself, wife of Mr. Narendra […]

Chicago IL: Share-a-Smile Chicago (SASC) hosted its annual fundraiser to aid senior citizens with an evening of entertainment on Friday, March 16, 20013 at India House Banquet Hall at 1521 West Schaumburg Road Schaumburg, Ill. This year’s beneficiaries were Sukhdham, an organization that serves abandoned parents on the outskirts of Delhi, the Barrington Area Council on Aging (BACOA), and other charities. The banquet hall was full with close to 400 people attending. Event coordinator was SASC Founder Sushma Bhanot. SASC President Trupti Kuvadia gave the welcome speech. Master of ceremonies amidst the colorful international dances was “100% clean” Indo-Japanese stand-up comedian Dan Nainan, who used to open for Russell Peters on nationwide tours and has performed last year for New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Apple co-founder Steve Wozniack, and President Obama. Largely targeted at teenagers, often having communication problems with their parents and divergent expectations, he played a great deal on his own mixed parentage with a Malayalee (Keralite) father and Japanese mother. Talented youth from across Chicagoland performed dances from China, India, Middle-East and Mexico and the audience partook of a family-style dinner prepared by India House Banquets. The cultural program lasted from 8:00 to 11:00 pm, preceded by […]

India, Andhra Pradesh: During the last two weeks of January, 2013, an incredibly dedicated and faith-filled couple from Andhra Pradesh, India, Dr. Geetha and Tom Chitta, extended the blessed opportunity for me to visit Hyderabad, Porumamilla, Kadpa, Chennai, Velankanni and Delhi and personally witness the extensive work of the members of the Catholic Church and the vibrant life of India– in all its forms. As Director of Mission Awareness for the Archdiocese of San Antonio since 1991, this was, by far, the most amazing chance to grow in my own mission awareness, gather photos, stories, and new friends, and strengthen my faith convictions during this Year of Faith. Due to the Chitta family’s thoughtful planning and life-long networking, I traveled with a great team of four other Americans to schools, hostels, homes for the elderly, centers for disabled, a rural out-door health clinic, and a home for AIDS orphans. At each site, we were welcomed like dignitaries, with garlands of fragrant flowers, songs, traditional dances and applause from hundreds of beautiful, well-behaved children and gracious, grateful adults. Tom and Geetha, along with the Holy Spirit, enabled us to meet countless priests, sisters, school directors, students, novices, along with spiritual gurus, […]

Aurora, IL: On the auspicious occasion of Maha Sivarathri 2013, Sri Venkateswara Swami (Balaji) Temple in Aurora, IL, organized spectacular cultural celebrations ‘Shivoham’ on Saturday, March 9th, 2013, at the temple auditorium. Maha Sivarathri is a very important event for the throngs of devotees of Lord Siva. Hindus pray to Parameswara with impeccable devotion and concentration during this special period with fasting, and staying awake all night chanting His prayers on Sivarathri Day. “Shivoham” unique classical and contemporary dance performances by professional teachers of Chicago land, in the Indian classical dance forms of Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi and Odissi have been presented in the Veluchamy auditorium. The event began with the melodious chanting of Lingashtakam by students of Smt. Sunitha Vissapragada, Artistic Director of Balanandam Group. This was followed by Lalita Sangeetam composed by Late Sri Palagummi Viswanathan and performed by the students of Rajaveena School of Music under the able guidance of Smt. Rajeswari Pariti. Highlighting the evening was a unique presentation, Ambalavaanan – depicting Bhakta Kannappa’s love & devotion towards Lord Shiva, an electrifying performance by Joshua George student of Poonam Mahesh, artistic Director or Nrityanant Performing arts institute. Poonam & Joshua presented yet another scintillating performance of “Ardhanareeshwaram”. Natya […]

Chicago IL: The Asian American Coalition of Chicago honored Indian Americans Mohina Ahluwalia, and Isha Jog, at their 30th Annual Lunar New Year Celebration, Saturday, February 23, 2013, at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare Hotel in Rosemont Illinois. This year’s gala event themed “Celebrating Three Decades of Unified Leadership and Services” was hosted by the Vietnamese American community of Chicago, with Mr. Doug Nyugen and Dr. N.T. Hieu serving as event chairpersons. Mrs. Mohina Ahluwalia, Chief Executive Officer Alfa Manufacturing Industries Inc., Past Chairperson, Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago, and with a stellar record of community service won the Indian American Exemplary Community Service Award. Ms. Isha Jog, Senior, Hoffman Estates High School, Hoffman Estates, Illinois, Distinguished Young Woman of Illinois 2013 and Miss Teen Illinois American Elegance, and a dance artist won the Indian American Youth Who Excel Award. Mrs. Lourdes Mon, an educationist and an Asian TV show producer was honored with the Pan Asian American Award. The Hon. James Thompson, Former Governor State of Illinois received the Coalition’s GRAND ASIAN AWARD. This award is periodically presented to someone of non-Asian descent, who has made significant contributions to the Asian Pacific American community. “DePaul University Bhangra Team” presented by […]

Chicago IL: Hari Om Mandir locked at 6N020 Medinah Rd, Medinah, IL celebrated Mahashivaratri on Sunday, March 10, 2013, with bhajans from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Despite heavy rain and thick fog, devotees had been trickling in before then to perform worship of the Shiva linga on this auspicious day when the ascetic god finally awoke from his deep meditation to marry his consort Parvati for the welfare of the world. As the rain died down, more families arrived and the hall was almost full by the time a temple committee member attired in the ascetic garb of Lord Shiva appeared, wielding the trident and playing the damaru (small hourglass-shaped hand-drum), with his wife as Parvati dressed in auspicious red, to receive worship and bless the assembly seated before them. Devotees queued up to worship the linga at two different locations within the temple: at the separate shrine to Shiva and Parvati behind the primary sanctums dedicated to the manifestations of Lord Vishnu and at another temporary linga that had been specially installed in front and to the right of the main shrines. The latter had large cardboard backdrops of the snow-covered Himalayas to transport the devotees to his abode […]