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Indo American News • Friday, August 06 , 2010
society
online edition: www.indoamerican-news.com
Senior Citizens Program Collaborates with Shakti Mandir and Sewa-USA to Help Distressed Bhutanese Seniors
By Surya Jilludimudi and Raj Razdan
ATLANTA: Senior Citizens Program (SCP), Shakti Mandir and SEWA International USA (SEWA) independently organize numerous events to make a positive difference in our communities. Recently they hosted a Senior Citizen event at the Shakti Mandir in south Atlanta on July 18, 2010 to honor the Bhutanese Seniors to help benefit the Bhutanese community who had to leave Bhutan in distress and sought refuge in Georgia a few years back. A Challenging time for the Bhutanese migrants: The population of Bhutan has two communities of Drukpas and Lhotshampas. In 1985, as the domicile controversy gained notoriety with crisis proportion in Bhutan, the Bhutanese government began to expel ethnic Nepalese-Bhutanese and the Lhotshampas from Bhutan. For more than 15 years they lamented in UN refugee camps in Nepal. Resettlement camps/relief projects also emerged in Australia, Canada, and Europe.Due to the generosity and the openness of USA, the Bhutanese refugees were also allowed to migrate here, mainly Georgia. Currently there are 30,000 refugees in the USA, expected to double by 2012, according to a SEWA- USA report. SEWA USA playing an active role in Bhutanese relief: Rallying for the relief efforts for the Bhutanese, SEWA USA has worked since 2006 to help rehabilitate the Bhutanese ref-
ugees in the spirit of Mahatma Gan- ous spiritual songs (Keerthans and highlight of the event was the Bazaar warm reception and the hospitality dhi’s famous quote, “Be the change Bhajans) with the backdrop of beauti- organized by the Senior Citizens to for over 250 participants was sucyou wish to see in the world.” Like fully ordained deities. All the seniors benefit the Bhutanese with clothes, cessfully executed.” acknowledged any ethnic migration, household goods and jubilant Raj Razdan, Exec. Director the Bhutanese underother basic necessities of the SCP. went cultural and menin their time of need. “This joint effort showcased how tal shock and struggled The clothing dona- individuals can and should join hands withoutadequatefunds tions were largely due to give back to their communities in to survive. to the combined effort the spirit of service and commitment Bhutanese migrants of the Sindhi Sabha for creating a positive change in have miles to go before of Atlanta, numerous the lives of a struggling Bhutanese they can overcome the families and individu- refugee community in the USA. Such cultural and economic als Asha Advani and missions provide noble and selfless constraints. These Meenakshi Bhatia, and service opportunities for various Inchallenges cannot be many other anonymous dian American organizations across totally addressed by donors from Georgia. Georgia to engage in collective public the well-meaning govBeautiful, expensive service activities,” Razdan added. ernment alone but by a Saris. Even a computer The reporters Surya Jilludimudi concerted effort by the was donated by Girish and email Atlanta@sewausa.org) diverse communities, Modi-a senior himself. and Raj Razdan (email rrazd01@ towards the education, A Senior Citizen event at the Shakti Mandir in south Atlanta on July Yeoman sewa (ser- yahoo.com) serve as Volunteer of housing, transporta- 18, 2010 was held to honor the Bhutanese Seniors to help benefit vice): SEWA International USA and Execution and employment the Bhutanese community who had to leave Bhutan in distress “Volunteerism and tive Director of the Senior Citizens needs of the Bhuta- and sought refuge in Georgia Philanthropy was at Program respectively. nese migrants,” said its best considering the Swadesh Khatoch of SEWA USA. participated in chanting of spiritual The Bhutanese migrant commu- songs led by melodious community nity have started adjusting to their activist (and attorney) Neera Bahl new land of shelter, called America. who was accompanied by social Their children have started going to worker Sunny Thakker on the drums Schaumberg: Pratham Chicago Gala 2010 will be held at India House, school and endeavoring to be part of (Dholak). Schaumburg on Sunday, September 19. Padma Shri Anupam Kher, the cultural tapestry of the USA. The spiritual program was folacclaimed Indian actor along with Dr. Madhav Chavan, co-founder of Shakti Mandir, co-host of the lowed by a sumptuous lunch for the Pratham will be keynote speakers at the event. A private reception to Senior/Bhutanese July event: 250 seniors. The food was facilitated greet and meet Anupam Kher as well as Madhav Chavan will be held This Senior Citizen event to benefit by volunteers Ashwin Patel, Bhiku preceding the gala for business and individual sponsors. Tarana Kathak Bhutanese Refugee cause was held Patel and other members of the Shakti Dance Academy will present several Bollywood and Kathak dances to at their Temple in Lake City near Mandir team. Arranging the vans for entertain the guests at the gala event. Jonesboro. transportation of the seniors were by For more information about the event visit Chicago.PrathamUSA.org The program commenced with the Bobby Patel of Shakti Mandir and or contact Dr. Raj Rajaram, President, Pratham Chicago at : Chicago@ prayer song (Aarthi), by the priest of SEWA-USA officials. PrathamUSA.org. the Shakti Mandir followed by variBazaar for charity drive: T h e
Pratham Chicago to Hold Gala at Local India House
INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, AUGUST 06 , 2010 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM