Ramesh Soparawala
India Post News Service
CHICAGO: It was for the first time that Chicago based facility of premiere Indian Bank, State Bank of India, decided to celebrate Hindi Diwas as part of the worldwide celebration at its premise. The Bank CEO Amit Jhingran handled the entire affair, and it met with a remarkable degree of success.
The Chief Guest for the event was Indian Consul Sudhakar Dalela. The Guests of Honor were Gurbachan Kaur Neelam, President of Hindi Lovers Club and an activist and literary figure Rakesh Malhotra.
The start was with CEO Jhingran, welcoming all the guests and accompanying the Chief Guest for ceremonial lamp lighting. He presented the CG Dalela and other guests with Mementos commensurate with the event.
In his brief address, CEO Jhingran talked about the importance of learning Hindi and then read out a message from Dinesh Khada, SBI India. Indian CG Dalela in his speech, spoke about the celebration of Vishwa Hindi Diwas in Chicagoland and emphasized the need for the use of Hindi language in daily life and conversation.
Gurbachan Kaur and Rakesh Malhotra recited Hindi poems. A Bank officer Mansi Saxena also recited a poem penned by her. Another highlight of the program was the hosting of Hindi Essay competition, and the theme was the contributions of Indian origins to the World.
Nupur Jhingran evaluated essays. The winner was Arun Kumar while the first runner was Ashwini Changada There wan an exciting tie for the second category and three contestants declared winners.
Indian CG Dalela honoured all the three winners with prize. The programme ended with a vote of thanks proposed by Ashwini Changada.