CHICAGO: Members and the new board of Bharatiya Senior citizens of Chicago celebrated 65th Indian Republic Day on January 18th at the Shree Nathji Haveli Addison, a northwest suburb of Chicago, with cultural music and dance performances. The celebrating birthdays of members was another highlight of the three hours event.
More then 250 members participated in the celebrations that started with the President Haribhai Patel introducing new committee members and officials for the year 2014-15. Former vice president welcomed newcomers.
This was followed by the celebrating of Republic Day that involved singing of American and Indian anthems. Kids performed Azadi song “Nanha munna rahi hun desh ka sipahi” song from popular movie “Son of India” with BSC members holding flags and shouting slogans ‘Jai Hind and Azadi Amar Rahe. Singer Santosh Varghese and Jitendra Bulsara performed ‘Azadi’ and old Mohammad Rafi 50′ 60′ songs
Community activist Vandna Jinghan shared information about Uttarakhand and the recent calamity that affected the area. She also briefed the attendees about India and her recent visit and suggesting ways in which the disaster victims could be helped.
Ending the program, Vice president Purushottam Pandya offered birthday wishes and flowers to those whose birthday fell in January.
The new board consists of Haribhai Patel (President), Vice President Purushottam Pandya, Secretary (Rakshika Anjaria), Jt. Secretary (Ramesh Desai), Treasurer (Madarsang Chavda) and Jt. Treasurer (Vithlbhai Balar).
Executive Committee:
Official Photo/Videographer of BSC (Jayanti Oza) and Audio Helper (Chandrakant Chudasama), Food management (Ramsing Parmar), (Program) Kalyani Patel, Pratima Shah, Damini Patel, Madhusudan Patel, Madhubhai Patel and Kantibhai Madhani.
Surendra Ullal