Our Bureau
Chicago, IL
More than 300 members attended the Indian Seniors of Chicago event on Saturday 10th August 2024 at Mahalakshmi Hall of Manav Mandir. The meeting was conducted by Hemant Modi. Deepakbhai, Jayashreeben, Dakshaben, Janakben, and Chandrikaben sang Ganesha stuti and Shri Hanuman Chalisa. After that treasurer Shri Hemantbhai Modi presented the accounts for the month of July and announced the names of the donors.
Immediately after that, a Raksha Bandhan program was held. The sisters applied tilak to their brothers with kanku and rice and celebrated the holy festival of Raksha Bandhan. All members whose birthdays occur in the month of August were given birthday wishes.
The Indian Independence Day celebrations were led by Shri Arvind Patel, Kantibhai Patel and Navin Patel. Shri Arvind Patel dressed as an Indian soldier sang a patriotic song. Arvind Modi, Hemant Modi and Pushpa Parekh sang patriotic songs. A parade was organized under the leadership of Mr. Kantibhai Patel and Mr. Navinbhai Patel. About 40 members joined the parade with the national flag. As the parade entered the hall, all members gave a standing ovation and raised slogans of Jai Hind, Bharat Mata ki Jai, Shahido Amar Raho, Vande Mataram.
The chief guest of the day Mr. Rajubhai Chauhan, President of Manav Seva Mandir, saluted the parade and hoisted the tricolour of India. Then, all members sang the National Anthem of India. Mr. Dilipbhai Patel, President of the organization, delivered a speech on this occasion.
Janmashtami religious program was conducted by Mrs. Hansaben Patel, Jayshriben Patel, Kokilaben Patel and Mrs. Dakshaben Parikh. Mrs. Dakshaben gave a short lecture on the importance of Janmashtami, followed by an aarti of Lord Shri Krishna. All the members participated in the Aarti and a Ras Garba program was held by members in accordance with Krishna Janmotsav.
Shri Manubhai Shah announced the news of the untimely death of Shri Rajendrabhai Anjaria, a member of the organization. All the members stood up and observed two minutes of silence and prayed for the eternal peace of departed soul.
Yashaswini Desai informed about Seva International organization and requested cooperation in the fundraising event to be held in Naperville on August 23, 2024.
Mr. Dilip Patel, the President of the organization thanked the volunteers who helped in organizing the whole day’s program and after that members present enjoyed a delicious meal specially prepared for the day.
