Our Bureau
Fords, NJ
MySangi, held its annual gala Dinner and dance – “Red and Black Party” on Sunday, 12th of December at the Royal Albert’s Palace, Fords, New Jersey. The annual gala dinner dance was attended by donors, sponsors, supporters, well-wishers, and members of MySangi, including Mr. Jaipat Jain, a member of Board of Advisors of MySangi. The other board members – Padma Shree Dr. Sudhir Parikh and Mr. Dipak Shah, Chairman of FISANA (Federation of Indo-American Seniors association of North America) were unable to attend the function and sent their best wishes to all.
Rajul Shah, President and Founder of MySangi kicked off the annual gala by welcoming all and thanking the members, sponsors, and supporters for attending the annual gala. She recognized and thanked the Bhatt Foundation, who provided a goodie bag for every attendee, each including a box of 50 Medical grade masks and a bottle of sanitizer, reminding all to be safe during the continuing Covid environment. Before asking Dr. Kanan Patrawalla, Vice President to lead the annual function program, she requested the attendees to observe a moment of silence honoring and remembering recent loss of MySangi supporters including Mr. Ramanhbai Shah, President, IASONJ (Indo0-American Senior’s Organization of N.J.) and Pravin Khatiwala. She remembered her discussion with Ramanbhai, who was instrumental in planting the seed for developing a social platform like MySangi back in 2016-17 for the singles of South Asian descent.
Welcoming everyone, Dr. Kanan Patrawalla briefed on MySangi’s journey since inception in 2017, noting the importance of spreading awareness of the pioneer support system platform created by MySangi of meeting and supporting each other, networking, joining in workshops and participating other activities conducted by the organization. She mentioned about the zoom meetings held during the Covid pandemic lockdown that included members’ interactions face to face, educational workshops by guest speakers on topics of interest for members, members’ roundtable discussion on challenges they face and finding solutions from group discussions and a virtual musical extravaganza gala. During the pandemic lockdown, the organization kept members connected virtually.
A couple of members came forward and while reflecting on MySangi’s objectives and mission of ‘Let us walk together’, shared their own inspiring and motivating experiences on how they got connected, once again after losing their soulmate, which has helped them getting rid of the loneliness-curse and are living the life, once again, to its best supporting each other.
Reena Shah from MySangi Team informed the attendees about MySangi’s online Meet-up group platform, enrollment process and its activities – ranging from hiking, picnics, get togethers, domestic and international travelling and various other activities – all focused to develop new contacts and a mutual support system.
Throughout the evening, while enjoying the good food along with live music provided by Vidya and Shailesh Dave of Bombay Melodies, the crowd was energized dancing to popular favorite Bollywood tunes and bringing the spirit of togetherness. Jayu Parikh, Program Coordinator interjected an all-time favorite fun filled raffle-drawings periodically. All the attendees thoroughly enjoyed the entertainment, music, dinner-dance, intermingling & socializing and getting set into festive holiday spirit to welcome the New Year that is around the corner.
Ila Shah, Secretary MySangi concluded by thanking the attendees, sponsors, supporters, Bombay Melodies artists, Royal Albert Palace staff and management, TV media including TV Asia, ITV Gold, Parikh Worldwide Media, and print media partners in helping spread the awareness of MySangi platform to the community in Tri-state area.
MySangi was established in 2016 as a nonprofit volunteer-based organization aimed at enhancing socialization and creating a support system for over 50-year age singles from Asian Indian community to find new friends, who may be facing similar situation. It was not established as a match making organization, but to provide support system for the singles. A team of about dozen likeminded volunteers are actively supporting and coordinating the activities to advance the cause of MySangi.
