Image Credit: Jayanti Oza for Indian Seniors of Chicago (ISC)
Chicago, IL, USA - The General Meeting of the Indian Seniors of Chicago brought together 320 members on Saturday, September 14, 2024, at the Mahalakshmi Hall of Manav Seva Mandir, where attendees celebrated the Ganesha festival, planned a temple tour, and honored community members.
Key Facts:
- The meeting featured plans for a temple tour starting on October 5, 2024, and a review of financials by Treasurer Hemant Modi, who also acknowledged key donors.
- The Ganesha festival was celebrated with a vibrant idol parade, aarti, and Ras Garba, with over 300 senior men actively participating.
- Members celebrated birthdays, paid tribute to those who passed away, and discussed significant issues affecting the Hindu community, such as attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh.
The General Meeting kicked off with a song, followed by Bhupendra Suthar’s announcement of the Chicago temple tour, which begins on October 5.
Treasurer Hemant Modi presented the financial report for August 2024 and acknowledged the generosity of donors who helped fund the organization’s activities.
The group then honored members with September birthdays by singing a celebratory song, "Bar Baar Ye Din Aaye Tum Jiyo Hazaar Saal." In a heartfelt moment, the gathering also observed a two-minute prayer in remembrance of members who had passed away.
Chandrakant Patel brought attention to the ongoing challenges faced by Hindus in Bangladesh, delivering a talk on the attacks and calling for unity and awareness within the Hindu community. The meeting's highlight was the celebration of the Ganesha festival.
Members enthusiastically paraded the Ganesha idol through Mahalakshmi Hall, chanting "Ganapati Bappa Morya" and "Jai Shri Ganesh." Many seniors performed the Ganesha aarti, and prasad was distributed to all attendees.
Bhadra Shah’s devotional bhajan set a serene tone before Kanti Patel, vice president of the organization, introduced Viren Joshi, leader of the Manav Sadhana Kendra Ahmedabad, an organization providing health services to underserved communities in India.
The General Meeting of the Indian Seniors of Chicago was a celebration of unity, tradition, and community service.
With a successful Ganesha festival, temple tours, and reflections on critical issues facing Hindus globally, the event embodied the group's commitment to cultural preservation and mutual support.
As the community moves forward, continued participation in such events and recognition of significant issues will help strengthen ties both locally and globally. The upcoming temple tour and future events promise further engagement and connection.