The senior scene

Indian seniors associations have been busy with yoga, Diwali celebrations and sing-song sessions

To usher in the sanskrit calendar New year, the only three Incorporated Seniors Associations out of six recognised ones, viz Northern Region Indian Seniors Association (NRISA), Kingston Indian Seniors Association, (KISCA) and Indian Senior Citizens Association, (ISCA), presented a combined program to the community. For their own reasons NRISA withdrew and celebrated the auspicious festival of Diwali in a true spirit of lights, further augmented the festivities with lunch at The Spirit of India in Preston.

Hall, which numbered nearly three hundred. ISCA President Prem Phakey greeted invited guests and members, and thanked the benevolent Victorian Multicultural Commission and the City of Monash for grants that helped ISCA sustain our culture even when away from home. KISCA President Barbara Nagaya also greeted members and invited the founding KISCA president, now Secretary Mona Raju (both Fiji Indians) to detail KISCA’s ventures in the past and for the future. Barbara wished us all ‘Bula’, which is ‘hello’, ‘welcome’ and ‘goodbye’ in Fijian culture.

(ISAW) has gained many more members attributed to the introduction of yoga by experienced members who lead others into practising, and is a welcome addition to ISAW’s activities to promote Indian culture and entertain members. President Arjan Dev Tuli avers that the addition was made possible by popular demand. Fiona York, Senior Project Officer Ethnic Communities in the Council of Victoria, visited ISAW’s meeting and praised the organisation’s endeavours at keeping its members entertained, informed of global events and also healthy.

Many members now volunteer to transport less mobile members and those far from public transport system, to and from meetings. For more information, please contact Mr Tuli on 9390 2818.

Indian senior citizens forum (ISCF) held a combined meeting of their Camberwell and Dandenong venues in the larger Clayton Hall. This was a relatively informal, intimate affair at which members acquainted themselves with others and revived old friendships for an hour. A number of banners announced the Forum as an initiative of SEWA International Inc. MC Rakesh presided and as always, Coomiben Patel initiated the day with a bhajan, Jyoti Kalash Chhalke. Rakesh related a brief history of the Forum’s activities in 2013, such as planting of 110 saplings in Dandenong, Yarra River Cruise, and celebrating Independence Day, among others. Their first activity in 2014 is proposed to be a blood donation drive, he added.

Young Lakshnya Vasan, traditionally attired and ornamented, took to the stage and, to the tune of flutes, mridangam and pre-recorded vocal, performed a dance in praises of Lord Ganesha. While Lakshnya ‘caught her breath’, her mother Mangalam related to us that Lakshnya is footy crazy and supports the Hawks (Hawthorn Football Club). When Mangalam asked her daughter to devote more time to studies, Lakshnya’s answer was that the emblem the Hawks cherish is Garuda; the vehicle of Lord Vishnu, who will help her both in her studies and in playing footy. Lakshnya’s performance continued and, through her expressive eye and hands movements, she enthralled us with a rigorous dance that elaborated on a story of Indian dancing. Lakshnya has studied dancing at Bharathakalanjali school under the guidance of Guru Radhika Mahadeva for fifteen years, since she was five. She sometimes performs for Indian charity events. kIsca and Isca presented a program to combined membership, invited guests and artists in Clayton

Anna Burke, as always, was very appreciative of the Forum’s continued promotion of Indian culture that keeps members engaged. She also affirmed that immigrants from India – doctors, specialists, and experts in various disciplines – are now in a majority.

Commissioner Srinivasan also praised the Forum’s efforts at keeping Indian culture alive. Councillor Bill Pontikis offered a brief update of his activities amongst Clayton Indians. Hong Lim, MP, was happy to relate that the Forum’s Diwali celebration was his fourth 2013 meet.

Next, a group of eight who, after years of being together, still haven’t adopted a name, gave us a rendition of Bollywood songs of the 1950s to ‘70s, which shot a sudden wave of life into the hall. Abha Asthana, Rajshree Rathore, Lakshmi and Neeraj sang renditions from OP Nayyar’s exciting music, and infused life into those members who sang along. Group leader Vijay Patki introduced his banjo and gave a solo performance, while companions on synthesiser, tabla and bongo joined in, presenting a great show. Vijay Patki ended the day by playing Mera joota hai Japani on his accordion. For information on Forum affairs, please contact SK Auplish on 9561 1878.

The function began with Sanskrit shlokas by Ramesh Dave, sung in his rich voice as the lamp was traditionally lit to welcome the festival. Later, MC Devinder Mamik interspersed the function with vegetarian jokes.

President Santosh Kumar, in the unique mannerism he holds at his command, extended greetings and shared relevant background details with members. As per tradition on this shubh divas, NRISA aggrandise volunteers who contribute to and provide exceptional services to members and the community, with token awards. The winners for 2013 were Vijaylaxmi Shashtri, for Mastering Ceremonies; Manmohan Singh Saxena, for willingly running errands; and Freny Bagli, for tirelessly transporting members to and from meetings.

While Barbara Nagayia and Ramesh Dave entertained members with popular old favourite songs, ghazals and bhajans in their sweet voices, Richa Kawra got members on their feet to dance the Bollywood Zumba, an extension of the SMART program that NRISA introduced.

Secretary Nalin Sharda thanked members and contributors alike for making the 2013 festival as enjoyable as it is every year. A delicious selection of both north and south Indian dishes served by the restaurant was an added bonus. For more information, please call President Santosh Kumar on 9816 3401.

Vijay and Sudha Agarwal won accolades for volunteering in Dandenong Branch of the Red Cross for a straight decade. Also present was Mayor Angela Long of Dandenong City, and Beverley Hoskins, OAM, Red Cross Representative of the region.

The positive-minded Anna Burke bucked up both associations for keeping the Indian culture alive and, therefore, keeping members active and involved, and ‘out of nursing homes’.

“Never forget your background, and pass it on to younger generations,” Ms Burke advised.

Since MC Jasbir has asked Alan Griffin to speak ‘a few words’, Mr Griffin, vocally sheltering himself behind the epithet, truly resorted to ‘a few words’ – indeed of praises. He punned that he was last to arrive – and also would be the first to leave. Cr Robert Davies also extended his felicitations.

While Sveta initiated the day with a dance in praise of Lord Ganesha, Achala Sinha and Anjali Paware, of Bindi and Bangle’s Dance Group, danced to the tune of Jalebi Bai. Four happy damsels - Tara, Arisha, Reshma and Kajal, presented a quick dance on Bollywood favourite, ‘Radha Tera Jhumka’. Nikita Chawla, a protégé of maestro Tara Rajkumar, and four dancers who were choreographed to join her at intervals, truly lived up to the maestro’s reputation. Dressed appropriately, Simran, Sushil, Poonam Sabina and Bina performed a colourfully animated bhangra, which resulted in most of the hall dancing along.

A delicious lunch was served by Tandoori Junction.

For more information on KISKA, please call President Barbara Nagaya on 9893 3427; and for ISCA, President Prem Phakey on 9803 3989.