Pakistan’s independence Parade attracted over 10,000 people on Devon avenue

Chicago IL: Pakistan’s official Independence Day was Sunday August 14 however Chicago’s Pakistani parade committee decided to postpone the celebration until Sunday, September 18, 2011 due to Ramadan. They would celebrate their 64 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 over 10,000 people on Devon Avenue. The weather looked gloomy with rain prior to start of the parade, but it must have been a blessing from Allah because the rain had stopped instantly 10 min before the start of the parade. It turned out to be a beautiful parade after all. 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 […]

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Tribute to Mehdi Hassan King of Ghazal by Talat Aziz in Chicago

Chicago IL: Amrish Mahajan hosts a tribute to Mehdi Hasan by Talat Aziz musical show in Chicago. The national promoter of this show is Saregama PLC. This extraordinary event on 7:00 pm, Saturday, September 17, 2011 at the Gateway Theater located at 5216 W. Lawrence Ave. Chicago, IL. Tickets rated from $20, $35, $49, $69, and $100 per person. Talat Aziz pays tribute to his Ustad – The legendary singer Mehdi Hasan Saab to enthrall the audience with Mehdi Saab’s most popular ghazals like Rafta Rafta & Zindagi Mein along with Talat’s super hit ghazals from Umrao Jaan, Bazar, Daddy. Over 700+ people enjoyed this musical event. Prior to Talat Aziz musical show in Chicago there was a “MEET and GREET” with Talat Aziz on Thursday, September 15th from 7:30pm to 8:30pm at the newly opened boutique “The Studio Elite”- 2556 W Devon Ave Chicago, IL. There were few prominent leaders and news media were present. Invited guests for Talat Aziz was Prominent Businessman from Milwaukee Mr Darshan Singh Dhaliwal and his Associates, Raghu Nayak, Mr & Mrs Jude Cresto of Air India, Vinesh Virani of Art of living, Munir Akhtarn, Dr Murtaza of Pakistani community, Rana Javed of Pakistan […]

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Jain Society of Chicago

Bartlett IL: The Jain Society of Metropolitan Chicago (JSMC) organized Mela 2011 on September 17th, 2011. There were about 10 unique events running in parallel throughout the day! It reminded of a true traditional Indian style Mela. The event was fully sold out with overwhelming response from JSMC families and nearby community members. Over 1,700 people attended this event and made it a remarkable and memorable festival. Over 19,000 Mela tickets were sold for Food Fest and Carnival Games. Everyone enjoyed over 35 unique Indian, Non-Indian, Jain delicious verity food items prepared and served by various JSMC community groups of volunteers. Mother Nature blessed the outdoor fun fair with beautiful sunshine and a cool breeze throughout the day. Outdoor games and carnival games kept kids and young adults entertained throughout the day. For the first time, JSMC organized JSMC Got Talent competition as part of the Mela. Out of 30 performances between two age groups, five from each age group were selected by the panel of Judges. In the final Finale of the talent competition, top three winners were selected in each group. The vendor fair was a major attraction of the Mela. 35 vendors from the Chicagoland area ranging […]

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Gujarati Samaj Chicago Hold Electrifying Navratri Celebration

Bensenville, IL: On Friday, September 17, 2011 the Gujrati Samaj Chicago (GSC) Board of Trustees, members of executive committee and volunteers hosted colorful Raas Garba festivity on the occasion of Navratri. This annual sacred event is celebrated in honor of Godess Durga Mataji. The event was held at Manav Seva Mandir located at 101 S. Church Road, Bensenville , IL from 7 PM till about 1 AM and attended by over 300 individuals. The Mahalaxmi hall of Manav Seva Mandir was transformed in to a huge dance floor to accommodate hundreds of bare feet moving in to thunderous drumbeats in swirling circles around deity Hindu Goddess “Durga”. The musical group of Bharati Desai provided music. Band Information: Band Name: Swar Bharti Group Singer: Bharti Desai Band Manager / Organizer: Amit Desai Key Board player: Vedant Patel Dhol player: Ishwaer Patel and Shree Mahavrat Mangira player: Amit Desai Timbani player: Himansu Brahmbhatt Sound system: Arun Modi The beautiful music is one of the most foremost pillars of the Navratri Garba celebration. The drums, dholak and all sort of instruments coming together with melodious voice by group leader and singer Bharati Desai & Group. Music for Navratri festival has to keep balance […]

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Huge success to 29th Health fair at the Midwest Swaminarayan Temple

Chicago IL: The 29th Health Fair was successfully completed at Midwest Swaminarayan Temple in Itasca Illinois. The goal was to provide medical check up to all those who may not be able to afford medical services due to insurance and medical coverage problems. The widely publicized Health Fair provided medical check up to more than 405 participants. The event took place on Sunday, on September 11, 2011 in the main hall of the temple, and was sponsored by the temple, Lohana Association of Greater Chicago, Gujarati Samaj and Kadva Patidar Samaj. Long lines of participants early in the morning show the success of this activity for the last several years. As per Jayantibhai Thakkar, this was the 29th Health Fair coordinated by him. The first one was started at Manav Seva Mandir back in 1989 and he continued this service also in other temples. It is important to recognize his selfless and dedicated work on people’s health check up, by which more than 8,500 patients have benefited so far. More than 25 doctors and 100 health professionals provided their volunteer services on this day. Registration and front desk services were provided by Manubhai Shah, Naliniben Shah, Bhupendra Thakkar, Nareshbhai Dekhtawala, […]

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Geetha Mandalam Splendid 34th Annual Onam Celebrations

Chicago IL: Geetha Mandalam celebrated its 34th Annual Onam Celebrations on Saturday, September 10th at Apollo Elementary School, 10100 Dee Rd., Des Plaines, IL. On this occasion, More than 500 people attended this festival of flowers, feast and frolic show. Geetha Mandalam is a Hindu Religious organization established in 1978 by a group of Malayalee Hindus here in Chicago. Geetha Mandalam meet and conduct group prayers every last Saturday of the month, they also conduct various other activities and celebrating Onam, is one of their main function Significance of Onam Onam is an ancient festival which still survives in modern times. Kerala’s rice harvest festival and the festival of rain flowers, which fell on the Malayalam month of Chingam, celebrated the Demon King Mahabali’s annual visit from Patala (the underworld). Onam is unique since Mahabali has been revered by the people of Kerala since prehistory. According to the legend, Kerala witnessed its golden era during the reign of King Mahabali. Everybody in the state was happy and prosperous and the king was highly regarded by his subjects, so much so that even the gods under Indra became jealous of Mahabali, and they approached Mahavishnu claiming that Mahabali is now equivalent […]

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Stimulating cricket tournament in honor of Shekhar Aravind

Chicago IL: The first-annual Shekhar Aravind Unity Cup was held over Labor Day weekend, featuring some of the best and most exciting cricket ever seen in the Chicagoland area. Shekhar “Sheks” Aravind was the young and dynamic President of the Midwest Cricket Conference, whose life was cruelly cut short on August 2nd, 2011 in a tragic boating accident on Lake Michigan. Shekhar’s cricketingfamily decided to honor his memory by making his vision of the Unity Cup a reality – and with only 3 weeks to prepare and organize, led by the tireless and energetic Atif Shaikh and his band of merry voluteers, put on a 12- team cricketing-tournament that was by consensus the best-ever seen in the midwestern states. Invitations were sent out to all the cricket-leagues in the Central-East region to participate. Representative teams from Michigan Cricket Association, Minnesota Cricket Association, American Cricket Conference (Chicago) and Bolingbrook Premier League (BPL) participated – as did MWCC teams from Wisconsin (the Milwaukee Bucks), and downstate (dubbed the StLouis Rams, featuring players from StLouis, Peoria and Moline). In addition, there was a Under-24 team (the Chicago Cubs), and 4 Chicagoland teams drafted NFLstyle by their captains (the Bulls, Bears, WhiteSox and Fire). […]

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Eid Celebrations Bring over 8000 Devout Muslims to Holiday Inn Skokie

Skokie IL: On Wednesday August 31,2011, 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. 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 and afternoon to accommodate the 8,000 enthusiastic individuals in attendance. Despite the large masses, the Skokie Police, Holiday Inn Staff, and numerous volunteers were able to direct the crowds effortlessly and efficiently. After the namaz, Hussain Kamani gave the khutbah (preaching […]

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Ustad Gulam Ali, most amazing concert of the year with extreme magnitude

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 […]

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Magnificent achievement to an evening of Soofi Kalam at Northwest Suburban College

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 […]

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My Vibrant India” a grand celebration of Indian heritage attributes World's largest Indian flag

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 […]

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Metropolitan Asian Family Services Opens a new senior center in Lake County

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 […]

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Empowering through Music Fund raising event by Chinmaya Organization for Rural Development

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 […]

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Chicago Christians Inspired by Actor Raja’s Spiritual Testimony

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 […]

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Midwest Punjabi Sports Club holds 9th

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 […]

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Jain Society of Metropolitan Chicago (JSMC) celebrated 18th Anniversary

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 […]

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FIA ceremoniously kicks off India Independence Day Events

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 […]

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Sandesh Gujrati editions celebrates 16th anniversary with Music and Masti

Schaumburg IL: A well known publisher and owner of Hi India, Mr. Hemant Brahmbhatt hosted the 16th anniversary of Sandesh-the Gujrati editions along with the second year of Hi India English editions on 7:00PM, Friday, June 17, 2011at Medows Club, 2950 W. Golf Road Rolling Meadows, IL. The event was extremely successful as it had great Music and food to accompany even greater people-over six hundred from metropolitan Chicago area. The event started out with a lamp lighting that was performed by Congressman Danny Davis, Nirajan Shah, Mafatbhai Patel, Naren Patel, Roshit Joshi, and Hemant Brambhatt. Such symbolism was used very well as it showed how Sandesh and Hi India is still doing very well even in the darkest of times as the recession and technological advances in media have decreased the popularity of printed media. The event proceeded to its awards ceremony where three hard working Southern-Asian Americans were honored. The awards were given to Ann Kalayil, Dr. Mohammad Wasiullah Khan, and Mayank Chhaya. Each of these three without any doubt or questioning deserved the award. Congressman Danny Davis presented the award to each of them except Dr. Mohammad Wasiullah Khan as he was absent for the event and […]

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Chicago Vaisakhi Parade on Devon Avenue

A Sikh Community Vaisakhi Parade (Nagar Kieran) was organized by the Gurudwara Sahib of Chicago on Saturday May 28, 2011. The parade was to observe a belated Vaisakhi Day which is in mid April, but was delayed due to the Chicago outdoor weather. The parade ended just in time about an hour before it started to rain heavily. Several hundred Sikh community memebrs participated in the parade. A sea of orange turbans and dupattas was visible on Devon Avenue East of Westeren Avenue. Men, women, and children of all ages dressed in ethnic dresses marched in the parade singing Gurbaani hymns, and raising slogans of “Jo Bole So Nihaal……Sat Siri Akaal,” (whosoever believes that God is True…is a happy and contended person). Members from Palatine Illinois Gurudwara led by president Harkirat Singh Sandhu, members from Wheaton Illinois Gurudwara, Oak Creek Wisconsin Gurudwara, Crown Point Indiana, and Indianapolis Indiana Gurudwara members came in to march in the parade with decorated floats and marching units. The parade was led by the “Panj Pyare” (The Five Beloved Ones) carrying Nishan Sahib (Sikh Community Flags), and a float carrying “Guru Granth Sahib” (Sikh Scripture) on a “Palaki” under a canopy. The Keertan (singing of […]

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Leading domestic violence agency Apna Ghar’s

Chicago, IL: On Wednesday, May 25, 2011, Chicago’s top restaurants, community leaders and five hundred guests will join hands at the River East Art Center, 435 East Illinois Street, Chicago, IL 60611 to support the milestone achievements one of Chicago’s leading domestic violence agencies – Apna Ghar Inc. Apna Ghar’s 3rd annual Taste for Life event to raise over $63,000 for women and children facing domestic violence. Janet Davies, of ABC 7 Chicago, served as master of ceremonies and rocked the River East Art Center with her wit and enthusiasm. Entertainment included dancers from Taol Fusion, Chicago Dhamaal, Trinity Irish Dancers and DSSProductions. “This is one of our most popular events of the year. It is the time when our supporters come out to celebrate Apna Ghar’s groundbreaking work with survivors of domestic violence. Join us for an evening of the best international food and wine that Chicago offers” said Rambha Radhakrishnan M.D. President of the Board of Directors. Apna Ghar provides culturally-appropriate, multilingual services, including emergency shelter, to survivors of domestic abuse with a primary focus on the South Asian and other immigrant communities Apna Ghar was started by five Asian American women activists, who established a domestic violence […]

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