Our Bureau
Chicago, IL
Indian Seniors of Chicago, ISC celebrated the 76th Republic Day of India on Saturday, January 11, at the Mahalaxmi Hall of Manav Seva Mandir, with more than 380 members immersed in the nationalistic fervor. To celebrate the national festival of India, all senior members were dressed in the colorful costumes of Veer Savarkar, Veer Sambhaji, Sangh President Shri Mohan Bhagwat, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, UP Chief Minister Shri Yogiji, President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu and made their presence felt on the stage. On the occasion, Bhupendra Suthar, dressed as an army officer, described each character in detail.
Under the leadership of the Vice President of the organization, Kantibhai Patel, thirty members entered the hall in a joyful parade along with the Indian tricolor. All members stood up and greeted the parade with the slogans of Bharat Mata Ki Jai, Shaheedo Amar Raho, Vande Mataram, and Jai Hind to create a patriotic atmosphere in the hall. After that, Shri Bhupendra Suthar invited the chief guest, Dr. Bharat Barai to hoist the national flag of India. Dr. Bharat saluted the national flag and all the members stood up for singing the national anthem.
On the occasion, Dahyabhai Prajapati greeted Shri Nanubhai and Smt. Jashwanti Bodhanwala who had sponsored the delicious lunch for the republic day celebration. He presented them with a bouquet and expressed gratitude to the Bodhanwala family. President Dilip Patel thanked all the volunteers, news photographer Jayanti Oza and the members who participated in the parade.
Same day, the general meeting of Indian Seniors of Chicago was held at the Mahalaxmi Hall of Manav Seva Mandir, with more than 380 members in attendance. The meeting was conducted by Navin Patel. In the beginning, Hanuman Chalisa was recited by Bhupendra Suthar, Geeta Suthar and Daksha Parikh. After that income and expenditure account of the month of December was presented by Treasurer Hemant Modi with the mention of the individuals and organizations that donated to the organization.
In continuation, Navin Patel introduced Yoga Teacher Dharamji Punwani. Punwani provided information about the various benefits of Laughter Yoga. He emphasized that doing laughter yoga for 10 minutes every morning stimulates the lungs, stomach and brain etc. Thereafter, Bhupendra Suthar honored Punwani with a bouquet.
Shri Bhupendra Suthar invited all the members who have their birthday in the month of January to come forward. Those members were given roses by Shri Vinod Modi. The President of the organization, Shri Dilip Patel, welcomed the new members who have joined the organization in the year 2025.
Manav Seva Mandir Chairman Dahyabhai Prajapati and Nitin Patel gave information about the proposed Moksha Dham project and appealed to support the scheme of this Moksha Dham to be built for Hindus in Chicago.
