Category: Press releases

Chicago, IL: Honorable Consul General Mrs. Mukta Tomar celebrated 63rd Republic Day On Thursday, January 26, 2012 with leading Chicago-land entrepreneurs and citizens to honor the sacrifices our freedom fighters have fought and to remember the work of our Founding Fathers, for giving to us a country where our dignity and individual freedom is assured. She also extended her warmest greetings to all across the country and also to those living abroad. Indian Consulate located in the heart of downtown at 455 North City front Plaza Drive, Suite No.850, NBC Tower Building, Chicago, IL. As usual guests gathered from citywide to celebrate India’s 63rd Republic Day. Mrs. Mukta Dutta Tomar implicit charge at the Consulate of India in Chicago in August 2010. Prior to this she served as a Deputy High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh. She also served in Indian Embassies across the world including in cities such as New York, Paris, Yangon, Kathmandu, and Madrid. The event began at 10am as the Honorable Consul General saluted the Indian Flag as she held the rope to release the Indian Flag called “Dhhwaj Vandan” to respect and honor the Indian Flag followed by singing an Indian National Anthem. She also […]

Chicago IL: Telugu Association of Greater Chicago celebrated the harvest festival of India, “Sankranti” with a spectacular cultural program on January 21st, 2012 at the Rama Temple auditorium, in Lemont, IL. Over 800 people were in attendance at this grand event, which was meticulously organized by the executive committee members of the association. Telugu Association of Greater Chicago (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. TAGC celebrates and organizes various Telugu festivals annually and encourages participation by members and well wishers at these events. As a part of Telugu culture promotion, TAGC organizes three festivals every year: Sankranti, Ugadi and Deepavali in addition to hosting an annual picnic in summer. TAGC Membership is open to all who have common interests. TAGC programs are also open to non-members who will be required to pay a small entry fee. As a […]

Chicago IL: Sri Venkateswara Swamy (Balaji) Temple, Aurora, Illinois observed Tyagaraja Aradhana on Saturday, January 21; this was the 23rd year of this event at the temple. On the Indian (Hindu) calendar Pushya Bahula Panchami marks the day Carnatic music’s Saint-Composer Tyagaraja attained Samadhi in the year 1847 at Tiruvaiyaru in Tamil Nadu, India. Accordingly, devotees of Carnatic music and Saint Tyagaraja all over the world observe the Aradhana around this time. On Saturday about a hundred and forty people performed Saint Tyagaraja’s Kritis in programs that lasted about eight hours. Balaji temple follows its own unique tradition of the Aradhana. The program started promptly at 11 AM with Sita Rama Kalyanam. At appropriate points during the Kalyanam, a group of seven children rendered four Utsava Sampradaya Kritis (USK) of the Saint – Shobhaane (Pantuvarali), Nagumomu galavani (Madhyamavati), Kouvai unnaade (Devagandhari) and Sita Kalyana Vaibhogame (Kurinji). These haunting melodies elevated the Sita Kalyanam to a delightful marriage of music and ritual. After the Sita Kalyanam, the program continued at the Sannidhi, as done in Tiruvaiyaru, with Chelulara (Kharaharapriya) performed by a violin-led group, followed by Guruleka (Gouri manohari) violin solo. The Pancharatna Kriti group was next, in which about fifty […]

Chicago, IL: Manav Seva Mandir located at 101 S. Church Road, Bensenville , IL celebrated Makar Sankranti by performing Nav Grah Puja on Saturday, January 14, 2012. More than 25 couple participated in Nav Grah Puja which started at 5:30 PM. This sacred evening was attended by over 400 devotees witness the special evening Puja ceremony. Donation for performing Puja was $51.00 per family. We need the blessings of the all nine planets known as Navagraha’s to have a life that is free from various types of problems that may trouble us from time to time. Navgraha The nine (nava) major celestial bodies (Grahas) of Hindu astronomy. These celestial bodies are Surya (Sun), Chandra (Moon), Chevvaai/Mangal (Mars), Budhan (Mercury), Guru/Brihaspati (Jupiter), Shukra (Venus), Shani (Saturn), Rahu (North Lunar Node) and Ketu (South Lunar Node). What is Navgraha Shanti Puja? The nine “grahas” or planets in our horoscope influences one’s daily performance which influences one’s future performance or karma, desires and ultimate outcomes. Each of these nine planets exerts positive and/or negative influence in our lives, which is called “dasa” and it can be predicted by expert called Jyotish from one’s horoscope. Navagraha Shanti Puja is undertaken to reduce the negative […]

Chicago IL: Janvi was granted her angel wings on January 14, 2012 following a brief illness. Makar Sankranti is a major harvest festival and consider to be divine day for Hindu culture. Her final days were spent surrounded by family and friends. Janvi had touched so many in some small way throughout her short, yet very memorable, life. Janvi’s life would seem too short to many; however, those who came in touch by her understood that the quality of existence far exceeds the quantity of time in which one lives. Her gentle smile could melt the hearts of those around her. Though she never spoke a word her voice and thoughts could always be heard. Janvi was born on September 26th 2001 with a rare genetic disorder resulting in mental and physical handicap since birth. This made her appear frail. Despite these obstacles, she possessed strength, perseverance, and an ability to overcome incredible odds. Sweet, funny, friendly, spunky…these are but a few words that come to mind when we think about Janvi. Janvi, with her chubby cheeks, pigtails, endearing personality and beautiful eyes, immediately won everyone’s hearts. With her courage she led us to believe that each day is a […]

Chicago, IL: Lohri, popular Punjabi agricultural festival, was celebrated with great fanfare at Hari Om Mandir in Medinah, IL. Lohri was celebrated with traditional food of Saag (mustard) and Makki (corn) ki roti and lassi (buttermilk), bonfire, tappes, and songs suitable for the occasion. The temple priests, Shastri Yogesh Pandya ji and Pandit Dinesh ji, along with help from Deepak and Mona Sharma, Vipan & Sangeeta Wadhera, Subhash & Kiran Sharma and Akshay & Suchitra Sarkar created a beautiful exhibit of traditional Lohri items. There were models of Charkha, well with utensil to draw water, front of a house with traditional paintings of Diyas (tea lights) and cut out of people with dhols. Traditional Makke ki roti, Sarson ka Saag and Sweet & Salty Lassa were in abundance. Mrs. Nirmal Bagga, Mrs. Aruna Lal, Mrs. Suvarsha Sehgal, Mrs. Madhu Gupta, Mrs. Prem Salwan, Mrs. Indu Bhardwaj, Mrs. Navdeep Sharma and lot of other volunteers helped in preparing all delicacies. India House Schaumburg also donated Makke ki Roti and Sarsen ka saag for the occasion. Mrs. Sneh Chaudhary prepared Pineapple Burfi for the occasion. Mrs. Malkeet Kaur Kalsi and several other devotees prepared Saag and Rotis at home and bought to […]

Chicago IL: Youth Outreach, Developments in Literacy (YOUR DIL) hosted its first event of the new year, netWork it for Education: Celebrating Literacy One Child at a Time, at Reza’s Restaurant in downtown Chicago on Saturday, January 14, 2012 to raise funds for schools in Pakistan. The event featured networking activities for young professionals and an inspiring talk from Ethan Casey, a veteran journalist, editor, and author who writes extensively on Pakistan and other developing countries. A vocal advocate for harmonious relations between the United States and Pakistan and longtime supporter of DIL, Ethan spoke to an engaged audience of YOUR DIL Chicago’s young professional supporters about his experiences living and traveling in Pakistan and working with DIL’s schools in Pakistani villages. Addressing young Pakistani-Americans as “vanguards of the Pakistani community in the United States,” Ethan provided insightful advice on how they can help to bring better awareness of Pakistan to the American people. “Your generation is on the verge of really bursting out into American society in a great way. … One of the simplest ways that you can help to create better understanding of Pakistan in America is just by being yourself, being professional and courteous in your […]

Chicago IL: “If you want to get what you have never gotten, you have to do what you have never done”. These are the words of Acharya Vivekji at the latest Chinmaya Yuva Kendra (CHYK) retreat2012 in Chicago. Chinmaya Yuva Kendra, is a branch of Chinmaya Mission focused on spreading a message of spirituality to youth. It was founded in 1975 by Swami Chinmayananada with a mission to “empower youth with the vision, values, and dynamism for success in all fields”. CHYK is present in over 120 cities on four continents and has made its mark on youth in the world today. CHYK discussions are held on college campuses and are very popular with university students. CHYK retreats are also held across the nation during almost every month, with the number of retreats and camp attendees increasing with each year. The spiritual retreat conducted in Chicago Badri Center, 11 S. 80, Rt 83, Willowbrook, IL, on January 13 to 15, 2012 brought over 90 people from around the country with a practical theme. “Holistic Habits: Make, Break, and Sublimate” read the poster for this camp. During those three days, we learned how exactly to achieve the making, breaking, and sublimating […]

Chicago IL: Hari Om Mandir located at 6N020 Medinah Rd, Medinah, IL celebrated New Year with Pooja by the temple priests on 10.00 AM, Saturday, 31st December 2011. This was followed by the beginning of Akhand Ramayan Path. The path went on for full 24 hours and ended on January 1st 2012. Around midnight several devotees came to Mandir to celebrate New Year. At around 11:45pm Mr. Subhash Sharma & Mrs. Rama Kapoor along with Bhagat Mandli started Satsang and hanting “Jai Shree Ram” till dawn of the New Year. The path ended on January 1st around 11 AM. More than 400 devotees and their families enjoyed the New Year program at Hari Om Mandir Several volunteers came forward to read the Ramayan during the day and night. Kitchen was open during the entire event and devotee kept coming to worship and assist in the Kitchen. Outgoing president Nirmal Bagga thanked all the volunteers and devotees for their help and support during her tenure. Mr. Ayodhia N Salwan, Chairman Board of Trustees, welcomed the new president of the Executive Board, Mr. Rajeev Bharel. Mr. Rajeev Bharel in his speech appealed to everyone to step forward and Donate their time as […]

Chicago IL: Waterford Banquet hall located at 933 South Riverside Drive in Elmhurst , Illinois with Pritesh Gandhi collaboratively hosted the New Year’s Eve party on Saturday, December 31st, and joyfully welcomed 2012. A spectacular New Year’s Eve event attracted large crowds of enthusiastic, fun-loving celebrants. both young and old, from the Chicago land area. This extraordinary family friendly event started at 8 pm and was enjoyed by about 700 plus guests from the greater Chicagoland region. The event had fibulas Las Vegas theme which generated a lot ecstasy in the audience. Las Vegas party themes are very popular for all types of events — weddings, birthdays, rehearsal dinners, proms, bridal showers, charity events and more. Party theme ideas, like Las Vegas, transport guests to make-believe world for the evening. All the gambling machines was rented by Jokers Wild Entertainment Casino Rentals. Blackjack, Craps, Texas hold’em, Roulette, Poker Tables and Slot machine were in lobby of Waterford park. Person dressed up like Elvis Presley and 2 Sexy, Tall and pretty Go-Go dancers make guest believe that they are in Las Vegas. The party had the best of music, entertainment, food and beverages. There was open bar from the beginning to […]

Chicago, IL: Shri Jalaram Mandir located at 425, Illinois Blvd , Hoffman Estates , IL , celebrated Volunteer Appreciation dinner with Bollywood songs on Friday, December 30, 2011 at 7:00 pm. A sentimental evening was performed by “Soham musical group” in filmy style with old and latest songs, which made the whole atmosphere joyful. More than 250 plus volunteers and their families enjoyed the special evening. Shree Jalaram Mandir was inaugurated on the March 8th, 2008. It was a dream of many devotees and followers of Jalaram Bapa to establish Jalaram Mandir. With a determination to realize that dream, Jalaram Organization was established in December, 2006. With the help of Generous Donations from many Donors and Volunteers $1.25 Million Dollars worth property was purchased. Friday, December 30, 2011, was a day to appreciate every single person who had devoted their time towards the Mandir’s progress. In honor of such commitment Jalaram Mandir Board decided to have a beautiful way to say thanks to all the volunteers with a Musical night and splendid dinner. There are lots of Temple in Chicago however Shri Jalaram Mandir is only Mandir that celebrates Volunteer Appreciation dinner with music and masti. At present, Mandir has […]

Chicago IL: Ghulam Ali, the singing sensation has enthralled audiences all over the world for almost four decades now.His “Chupke Chupke Raat Din Aasoon Bahana Yaad Hai….” whose words still haunt. And the man behind that voice still stays as elusive as he ever was. However thanks to Live 2 you organization and Promoter Raju Shah’s effort, this enduring singer decided to thrill the diehard well wishers and his ‘Ashiks’ were lucky to listen to him in live performance on Friday July 2011 at At Medow Club in Rolling Medows, Illinois. About 800 very enthusiastic crowd of enjoyed every minute of Ustad’s performance. Ghulam Ali was born in 1940, at village Kaleke, district Sialkot, which is now a part of Pakistan in 1940 . He belongs to a musical family, his father was vocalist and sarangi player Ghulam Ali got his initial musical training from his father. His father would teach him by keeping small green leaves over the harmonium keys and marking them with a ballpoint pen. His background as a Thumri singer makes him an exceptional ghazal singer. Ghulam Ali can easily be termed as the most versatile ghazal singer ever. Under Ustad Mubarak Ali Khan he learnt […]

Chicago IL: Northwest Suburban College celebrated their first cultural night on July 23rd, 2011 at Monty’s Banquet Hall. The program was well attended by folks of different walks of life such as literary, music lovers and soofi poetry fans. “It was a fete”, according to Dr. Rooma Gurg. It was the soofi music at its best and a reminder of great maestro Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. Bilal Chishti also known as Dhruv Sangari – a young man from New Delhi who started learning music at the age of 7 and developed a passion for Soofi Music by the age of 13 – enthralled the audience with his self immersed rendering of the greats such as Ameer Khusro, Kabir Daas, Bulle Shah and others. The program was arranged at a short notice of two weeks by diverting Mr. Sangari from returning to India, according to Rashid Salam the main organizer and the Administrator of the college. Nahid AliNiazee, daughter of Dr. M. T. AliNiazee – the founder of the college, introduced the mission and vision of Northwest Suburban College. Dr. Khalid Sami Chairman of the Board of Regents, thanked the audience and the volunteers for managing a great event with grand […]

Hoffman Estates, IL: ‘My Vibrant India’ a grand celebration of Indian heritage took place on July 16, and July 17 at Sears Center 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates, IL 60192, featuring the world’s largest India’s flag and showcasing the rich heritage of India. This spectacular show exhibited India with its huge diversity. The main theme of the show was to appeal to the Indian as well as the non-Indian community and bring forth a much deeper knowledge and understanding of custom and vision of India. The event was organized and directed by Mr. Montey Saiyed, president of Shows2u, a premier entertainment management company in the Midwest. The organization is well known by keeping its tradition of bringing some of the biggest names in the Indian and Pakistani entertainment industry to Chicago. For this event Shows2u brought a journey of rich tradition and legacy of India thru Gujarat & Rajasthan that would let people walk through and discover the culture and richness that both states. The show will continue the Journey selecting different two states every year and eventually covering all the Indian states. Vibrant India festival was incredible according to Asian Media USA Chairman, Mr. Suresh Bodiwala. He further […]

Vernon Hills, IL: Lake County has growing need for elderly care services among the immigrant population of Chicagoland area; Metropolitan Asian Family Services recently opened their 7th senior center in Vernon Hills, IL on July 11th, 2011. A pioneer in the field of senior home care services, MAFS has expanded its horizon to serve seniors residing in Lake County, IL by opening a new center at 60 E. Townline Road, at the Hawthorn Village Commons located in the city of Vernon Hills. The opening ceremony commenced by offering prayers to Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi, which was followed by worshipping the Navagraha and seeking their blessings. Mantras were chanted and sacred prayers were recited by Pandit Jagdish Joshi invoking all the Hindu gods for the successful beginning of the center. Staff and community members gathered at this joyous occasion to celebrate the opening and participated with great enthusiasm. Executive Director of MAFS, Mrs. Santosh Kumar along with her husband, Mr. Pramod Kumar welcomed the guests and staff to their new location. The ribbon cutting was performed by Dr. & Mrs. Satyan Singh of Grayslake, IL. The guests in attendance were Dr. Rakesh Asthana of Woodridge, Mr. Ashok and Pramila Bhatia […]

Chicago IL: Chinmaya Mission Chicago, held a fundraiser, “Empowering Through Music,” on Sunday, July 10, 2011 at the Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago in Lemont. The purpose of this event was to support the activities of the Chinmaya Organization for Rural Development (CORD). This is an India-based non-profit organization that empowers villagers through different rural development programs under the leadership of Padmashree Dr. Kshama Metre. The evening featured Suraj Patnaik, a seventeen-year-old Neuqua Valley high school graduate, who is a highly talented and versatile singer. Suraj is an exemplary example of an American-born youth of Indian descent, with strong roots in Indian culture and spiritual values, molded by both his family and the Chinmaya Mission. Suraj has been trained in Hindustani Classical music by President of Music award recipient Guru Smt. Mani Majumdar, and is a recipient of the 2009 Yuva Kala Award from the Orissa Society of the Americas. Suraj has also received training in Geeta Govinda from Padmashree Pandit Raghunath Panigrahi. During the evening’s performance, Suraj was accompanied on the tabla and pakhawaj by Mumbai’s renowned Guru Pandit Durga Prasad Majumdar. Chicago’s popular musician Hitesh Master accompanied Suraj on the harmonium and keyboard, and Chinmaya Yuva Kendra artist […]

Chicago IL: Tollywood’s actor A. Raja who is on a maiden ‘Testimony’ tour of the United States overwhelmed the Chicago Christian community with his personal testimony rooted deeply in his Christian faith to a packed audience at an event titled “reflection and inspiration” held on July 9, 2011 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Lincolnwood, Illinois. The church was filled with silent awe as charming actor Raja took the audience through the arduous journey of his life replete with painful tribulations that which eventually transformed into a blissful triumph and joyful victory. Actor Raja –barely holding back tears — poured out his soul through his compelling testimony interspersed with his personal life story to a spellbinding congregation. Actor Raja narrated the transfixing story with intrepid candor describing how he dealt with unbearable pain of loosing his beloved mother at a tender age; then his father later and the painful struggles with his two sisters who faced a parentless life of destitution that followed. Each incident in his life, Raja said, has broken his human spirit and shattered his hopes as he continued to face excruciatingly painful humiliations and rejections from family, friends and the community including a pastor who refused […]

Chicago IL: Panjab Sports Club Midwest Chicago hosted the 9th International Kabaddi and Volley-Ball Cup tournament at Busse Woods Forest Preserve (intersection of Higgins Road and Arlington heights Road) in Elk Grove Village on 9:00 AM, Sunday July 3, 2011. Over 2500 spectators and Kabaddi fans with their families and friends from Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin, Ohio, Kentucky, Seattle & Iowa attended the tournament, engaging day of sports, food, and live entertainment. Participants were male and ranged from the ages 18-40 and were from various parts of North America. Teams of Kabaddi teams are from New York, Canada, Dallas, Cincinnati, Chicago – Doaba Sports Club, and Punjab sports Club Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio. Volleyball Teams are: Crown Point, Indiana, Dallas, Michigan, and Five Local. 1st prize for Kabaddi was $3100 Donated By D Line Logistics: Nirbhai Singh Dhanoa and Manprit Singh Aujla and 2nd prize for Kabaddi was $2100 Donated by Toor Brothers. 1St Prize for Volleyball $1000 Donated by Habi Grewal and 2nd Prize: $ 500 Donated by Habi Grewal The final match was played between New York and Toronto team. Toronto team won Sub. Kartar Singh Dhaliwal Kabaddi Cup and First prize of $3100 for Kabaddi ($3100 Donated by […]

Chicago IL: Jain Society of Metropolitan Chicago (JSMC) celebrated 18th Anniversary at the Jain Temple (Deräsar), 435 N Route 59, and Bartlett, IL on Saturday June 25, 2011. Over 1200 devotees from Jain community joined to participate in this 2 days event. Ceremony started from June 25 Saturday and 26 Sunday was a milestone event as it was the second anniversary of the Temple that was expanded and renovated as part of Temple Pratishtha in year 2009. Significance of Deräsar (Temple) anniversary is in two main events – Dhwaja Ceremony and 18 Abhishek Ceremony. Dhwaja Change and 18 Abhishek will be conducted under the auspice of Shri Hiteshbhai Vidhikar Abhishek: 18 Abhishek is a very sacred ritual ceremony of offering 18 different types of holy water that is mixed with sacred substances like “Chandan” (Sandal). This once a year event of Abhishek is a very important event for all the Jains. Dhwaja Change Ceremony: On this auspicious day, all the Bhagawan Deri and main Deräsar Dhwaja (Flag) will be replaced with new ones with the chanting and the prayers conducted by a well-known Vidhikär Shri Hiteshbhai Shah from Vadodara, India. Flag (Dhaja) is being kept on temple with a view […]

Chicago IL: Federation of Indian Associations [FIA] Chicago hosted a ceremonious ‘kick-off’ reception to set in motion a series of significant events centered on the celebrations of India Independence Day in Chicago on Sunday June 19, 2011 at the Punjabi Dhaba Banquet Hall in Chicago, Illinois. The ‘kick-off’ luncheon reception was presided over by FIA Trustee Chair Iftekhar Shareef who invited the guests of honor to join in unity to light the lamp which was led by Hon. Debra Silverstein, Alderwoman of the 50th ward, State Senator/Committeeman of the 50th ward Hon. Ira Silverstein and Democratic Candidate of the 8th Congressional District Mr. Raja Krishnamoorthi. These guests of honor were joined by FIA’s prominent Trustees and board members including Anil Pillai, Sitaram Patel, Sohan Joshi, Bhailal Patel, Sitaram Patel, Ranjit Ganguly, Micky Kahlon, Keerthi Ravoori, Ajai Agnihotri, Sher Rajput, Avinash Desai and Minhaj Akhar. Following the auspicious lighting, Iftekhar Shareef made an official declaration announcing that FIA will host a series of festivities in commemoration of India’s Independence with Grand India Parade as its crown-jewel event on August 20, 2011 on Devon & Western Ave. with series of other significant events including the Gala Banquet on August 19, 2011, Flag-Hoisting […]