Surendra Ullal
CHICAGO: During the Covid pandemic Hindi Club of Illinois (Club) has done well by being active and staying connected to its growing base through its plethora of regular online events. But our members always felt a void because they were not able to meet in person, until now.
On Saturday last, after a gap of nearly three years HCI revived its in-person Annual Members Appreciation Day. As expected it was an event that was well planned, well staged, well attended and very well appreciated. This was also a nice get together for the upcoming Diwali festival.
The appreciation event started with traditional prayer and lamp lighting followed by HCI founder and president Gurbachan Kaur welcoming the members, special guests and chief guest. Chief Guest Sh Om Dhingra, a well known figure in the community among the Indian diaspora in Chicagoland, He spoke glowingly about the Clubs pioneering efforts in promoting Hindi in the USA. He also pledged a sum of $500 to bolster Club’s efforts further. The Club is very appreciative of his donation.
Indian Consul Ranjit Singh from Indian Consulate of Chicago as always has been a source of encouragement for the Club, He bestowed his blessing and shared how the Indian Government is stepping up efforts to support grass roots efforts in promoting Hindi in countries outside India.
Sh Vinod K Gupta, a special guest, and a well known visiting Hindi author and researcher from India, also applauded Club’s charter and efforts in promoting Hindi. Other notable speakers included Sh Nimish Jani, a sponsor and Shweta Baid, a prominent council person from Aurora. They were all greeted with special rose flower pots. A short video showcasing Club and its ongoing activities was also shown to the gathered guests.
The attending VIPs joined on the stage to a formal US release a new Hindi book by Club’s Life Time member S P Garg. The book titled ‘ Aapke Kadam Safalta Ki Aur’ , a self-help book has received excellent reviews by critics and is available on amazon.com.
Gurbachan Kaur honored each of the Life Members with a special personalized and framed certificate. Next the Club President welcomed old and new members and had appropriate group photos of the occasion.
In the cultural and entertainment part of the event was expertly emceed by Nisha Pandya and included some great singing, poetry, stimulating conversation and related items. A notable cultural item was a short talk on Diwali written and read by a young Hindi student who is learning challenged.
The exciting and highly interactive afternoon ended with raffle drawing of door prizes. Gurbachan Kaur thanked Regal Jewels and other event sponsors.
Hindi Club of Illinois is always looking for Hindi enthusiasts and writers with self-created content for its online monthly magazine Drishti and weekly Sunday Laghukatha series.
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