FRIDAY, COMMUNITY NEWS 2
FEBRUARY 14, 2014
MIDWEST EDITION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2014
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BAL VIHAR TURNS REPUBLIC DAY MEMORABLE
Patriotism marked Republic Day celebrations
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BY A STAFF WRITER
al Vihar of St. Louis, Missouri, which has always been a champion of showcasing the Indian culture, its diversity and strength, once again lived up to its reputation when it celebrated the 65th Republic Day of India. Preparations began weeks before and each class was assigned a specific state from India to research and put a display. There was a panel of judges to review the booths and identify best display in multiple categories.
One more feather in Sant Ranjinder Singh ji Maharaj’s turban
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BY A STAFF WRITER
ant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj was honored to serve as the guest editor of the Times of India Speaking Tree, an 8-page special edition, published on February 2, 2014, in Delhi, India. His featured article, “Dealing with Stress and Anger,” appearing on the front page provides readers with practical tips for daily life and how meditation can keep one calm and balanced. Other articles focused on meditation are also published in this issue, including Dr. Louis A. Ritz, professor of neurosurgery, University of Florida, Gainesville, whose article “Meditate!” explains how meditation can bring positive changes to the brain. The article by Dr. Kunwarjit Singh Duggal, a medical doctor in the Chicagoland area in Illinois, “Boost Performance; Banish Pain” focuses on how meditation can improve performance at work, in sports, and in school, as well as reduce pain. Dr. Rimjhim Duggal Stephens, who combines alternative medicine and wellness techniques in her practice in Vancouver, where she teaches pathology, contributed an article, “Take Time Out.” She describes how taking time to meditate actually saves time by making one more productive.
Kids sing national anthems of US and India.
The Republic day celebrations started with the Bal Vihar School Orchestra comprising a group of young musicians playing the national anthems of the US and India. The melodious presentation was a real treat to watch. The kids were dressed in traditional Indian clothes and the place was filled with vibrant colors displaying posters, local food items and artefacts, highlighting the richness of the Indian state they were assigned. The Center of Indian Cultural
Education School, as Bal Vihar is also known, had invited St. Louis community leaders to judge the display of booths and information covered. Thanks to countless and selfless efforts of its teachers, administrative staff and volunteers, Bal Vihar school has been able to give the young children an in-depth view of India’s values, culture, history and food. Center for Indian Cultural Education - Bal Vihar of St. Louis, a non-profit organization, since its inception in 1992 has been serving the Metro St. Louis
Indian community. The primary focus of this organization is to provide Indian cultural education to students aged 5-18, its application and integration with the global multicultural and multifaceted society. They are also taught discipline, tolerance and devotion in their daily routine. The ultimate goal, as one teacher said, is to throw the light of cultural knowledge on every child, to make every child an outstanding citizen and to spread the song of peace and harmony around the world.
Seniors live it up at birthday meet
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BY A STAFF WRITER
HICAGO: The Indian Seniors of Chicago held a meeting at Manav Seva Mandir, Benselville, IL on February 8 for the celebration of the members’ birthdays, Mahashivratri and Valentine Day. Around 115 members attended the meeting. Chitranjan Desai conducted the proceedings, including prayers and Hanuman Chalisa by Hema Shastri, Janakbala Shah, Mayura Desai and Puspa Panchal. Madhukanta Patel sang a bhajan. While Dr. Rasik Shah spoke on the Valentine’s Day, Nalin Shah narrated the imporatnce of Maha Shivaratri. Seniors whose birthdays fall in February were presented with birthday greeting cards and booklets by Nalin Shah, with Arvind Kotak and other members singing ’Bar Bar Ye Din Aaye, Tum Jio Hjare Sal, Happy Birth Day To You’. Ashwin Dwivedi and Dr. Rasik Shah gave detail information about the five days tour. Dr
Guest Shri Nalin Shah and Dilip Patel (center) with Arvind Kotak, Bhupendra Suthar & birthday members
Narsinhbhai Patel gave the information of South America Tour with total number of days and the total price. As part of Valentile’s Day celebration, Arvind
Kotak made everyone laugh with his jokes but also gave roses to 10 couples and told the men to show how much thye loved their wives.
JUHI SONI STEALS ICS’S TALENT SHOW
Juhi Soni (center) with Participants
BY A STAFF WRITER
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imble-footed Juhi Soni stood out when the Iroquois Community School (ICS), DesPlaines,Illinois held its annual ‘Talent Show’ on February 7 with its Bollywood dance team
presenting a gripping program. Juhi, a fifth grader, was the lead performer at the program which also featured the ICS’s first Bollywood dance team. Taking dance lessons in classical Indian dance form, Bharat Natayam, ever since she was
just four years old, she has been partcipating in the talent show since her kindergarten days and has taken the initiative in training her fellow schoolmates. Currently, Juhi is persuing a diploma course in Performing Arts (Dance) while continuing with her regular school. “My passion is dancing and my dream is to become a dance teacher some day”, says charming Juhi. Apart from Juhi, others who also performed well were Katie Benziger, Jessica Pop, Katrina Capozi, Sarai, Rosemarie Brain, Dua Mathani, with Mohnish Soni being the DJ. Melissa Llano supervised all the kids after school. A day ahead of the talent show, all girls enjoyed a henna party (temporary tattoos on hands and legs) after-school and tried out their colorful outfits and beautiful jewelry.
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