Our Bureau
Chicago, IL
The General Meeting of Indian Seniors of Chicago was convened on Saturday 14th September at 10:00 AM in Mahalakshmi Hall of Manav Seva Mandir with 320 members in attendance. Bhupendra Suthar gave information about the Chicago temple tour being organized by the organization on 5th October 2024. Treasurer Hemant Modi presented the account of income and expenditure for August 2024 and announced the names of donors. Bhupendra Suthar and Deepak Patel wished the members whose birthdays fell in September and the celebration continued with Jayesh Shah and others conveying birthday wishes by singing the song ‘Baar Baar Ye Din Aye Tum Jiyo Hazaro Saal.’
In honor of the demise of trustees of the organization Hira Patel, Shanta Patel and Bhailal Patel in August, all members prayed for two minutes for the soul to rest in peace. Manu Shah gave details of various services of Hira Patel. Chandrakant Patel gave a lecture about the atrocities committed against Hindus in Bangladesh and urged for urgent attention and action to safeguard Hindus.
The Ganesha festival was celebrated with great fanfare and the Ganesha idol was taken in a procession in Mahalakshmi Hall, with many senior brothers chanting Ganapati Bapa Moria and Jai Shri Ganesh. Bhupendra Suthar performed Ganesha aarti with the support of many members and prasad was given to everyone. Bhadra Shah sang a beautiful bhajan.
Kanti Patel, vice president of the organization, introduced the Manav Sadhana Kendra, Ahmedabad’s Viren Joshi where health services have been provided for the last 30 years. Manav Sadhana Kendra has 11 community centers, 89 kindergartens and 171 employees. On the occasion of Navratri, many brothers and sisters enthusiastically participated in Ras Garba with all members enjoying the pre-Navratri Ras Garba.
The organization’s Vice President Kanti Patel thanked the volunteers, donors, and Hemant Modi who handled the sound system and press photographer Jayanti Oza. In the end, collective prayers were sung and delicious food was served to mark the celebration.