VSNA – North Carolina Chapter Updates By Pooja Korategere and Sanjana Tharuvesanchi (Youth Leaders) Maha Shivarathri 2015: A new year means a new start and a new board for VSNA NC 2015. Our first meeting of the New Year was to celebrate Shivaratri, or the night dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva. Shivaratri literally means “The Great Night of Shiva” and is believed that Lord Shiva married Goddess Parvathi. The function started with the introduction of the new board; Ashwini Korategere, Shalu Lalsangi, Reshma Tharuvesanchi, and Archana Prabhushankar. The board also introduced the new idea of youth volunteers where four kids, over the age of eleven, will help out with the event. The youth volunteers are assigned with tasks and to help at each meeting. As a volunteer I had many jobs to complete. I helped lead the abhisheka to the Shiva linga. Afterwards I helped lead the group in vachana chanting. After the vachana chanting, kids sang several songs devoted to Shiva. The board also started a new segment in which two guest speakers will talk about a topic related to the Celebrations. We listened to two lectures on fasting. One was a more spiritual approach spoken by Dr. Shankar Bale, and the second from a more medical approach spoken by Dr. Anil Tumbapura. Later, we ate a delicious, traditional South Indian dinner made by our wonderful members. Typical foods eaten on Shivarathri were served; including, uppittu, usuli, laddu, and kesaribath. The Board then discussed matters such as volunteering and community service opportunities, Financial and Membership updates, Central VSNA updates and upcoming programs. Overall, this function was very enjoyable and a great learning experiences as well. I am looking forward to many fun, informative, well planned events throughout the next two years. Since it was the first event of the new VSNC term, many new members were able to socialize and meet older VSNA members. “Maha Shivarathri” was a great way to kick off the new term and hopefully it leads to a good year! Wishing the new board good luck on their endeavors!!
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