MACON, GA: Over 6,000 Kadva Patidar Samaj members from India, USA and Canada converged in Macon, GA to celebrate the 8th National Convention of Kadva Patidar Samaj and 10th Patotsav of the Shree Umiya Mataji Mandir.
On the opening morning, Sadhvi Siddheshwari Devi “Didi” (K. P. Barsana Dham, TX), lit a lamp to officially open Kadva Patidar Samaj 8th National Convention. Following her blessings, Mr. Robert Reichert, Mayor of the city of Macon welcomed all to Macon and expressed his willingness to work with community.
“India’s bilateral engagement with USA has significantly strengthened in the recent years and President Obama had characterized India-US relationship as a defining partnership of the 21st. century. At the heart of the growing
relationship between our two democracies is the 3 million Indian American community as you continue to be the bridge of understanding and friendship between India and United States” said Consul General of India-Atlanta Ajit Kumar in his address here.
He added,” Today, India-American community, of which the 10,000 Kadva Patidar families across the US are an important part, has caught the imagination of this country and indeed the world.”
Georgia Governor Nathan Deal’s letter congratulating Kadva Patidar Samaj on their 8th National Convention was read. Chief Minister of Gujarat Narendra Modi and finance minister Nitin Patel had sent their video messages for this convention, which were played. Jasvant Patel, president of Umiya Mataji Mandir, welcomed all the attendees and invited dignitaries from India on stage and recognized them.
A panel of four attorneys gave a seminar on immigration issues and changes coming into new immigration bill. Quick translation in Gujarati was provided for the benefit of elderly people. Seminar on “Blood Pressure & Stroke” and “Traveling to India” by Dr Dipesh Patel was also very informative on first day.
Couple of members of Gujarat State legislative assembly, couple of ex MLA and ex ministers specially traveled to attend the convention as they belong to “Kadva Patidar” community. They all spoke to the attendees at various times during the three-day convention.
More than 150 volunteers who worked tirelessly for past six weeks to make this event successful personified the theme of convention “Unity”. All the attendees were fed breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner for three days. Cold water bottles were available all day long to all attendees. All the volunteers in spite of putting in so many hours of labor showed no disgust on their faces. The convention offered free lodging and boarding to all attendees!
Besides coming on their own, two coaches came from New Jersey, four from Chicago area and one from Indiana/Ohio.
The first day session came to close with Mother Goddess Umiya’s aarti and dinner. The first day night was a Garba night.
P. Swami Shri Shantimurtidasji from Dabhan, Gujarat lit “Diya”to start second day convention. All the attendees received his blessings.
US Congressmen from second district, GA, Sanford D. Bishop Jr addressed the convention and also made a record in the congressional record about 8th Kadva Patidar Samaj Convention in his district and offered a “Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition” to Umiya Mataji Mandir.
The “Arya Dance Academy” performed a dance for the audience. Rupal Patel, director of this academy, based in New Jersey belongs to Kadva Patidar community. She was born and raised in Macon, Georgia. She served as a hostess of the convention along with Jayesh Mehta of New Jersey.
President of “Vishwa Umiya Parivar” and Hotelier from California, C. K. Patel inaugurated “Gandhi Hall” on Umiya Mataji Mandir premises. Chhotubhai Patel of Chicago inaugurated newly constructed “Sardar Pavilion” on recently acquired land by Umiya Mataji Mandir.
Mafatbhai Patel of Patel Brothers and Kalpeshbhai Patel of Raja Food were honored for their generous donation of grocery during convention.
Second day evening cultural program “Rishton Ka Mela” was prepared by local talent whose hard work was apparent.
“Navchandi” Homa was organized on the last day as a part of 10th Patotsav of Umiya Mataji Mandir. Close to 351 families participated in a daylong event.
Youth panel discussion
It was like tables were turned around: Young adults were on the stage and rest of the Kadva Patidars in audience. “Generation Gap” may sound cliché subject, however, it was young adults’ turn to discuss their feelings. Questions were coming from audience such as: “Why children take such a long time in deciding their career path?” or “Why a smart, beautiful girl chooses a loafer as a life partner?” It is a choice of an individual was response from young adults.
Everyone in the audience had something to add but few of them stood up and argued their side. Some from audience also asked the reason behind rising divorce rate and a very touchy issue like why girl’s parents get precedent over parents of boy?
The heated debate continues with passionate arguments from both sides. A small girl raises very important issue: why parents give more importance to work over us? Some adults accepted as one of their shortcoming while others argued that children’s lifestyle was expensive and someone has to make money to pay bills.
Chairman Ajit Patel jumped in the middle of this discussion and said that first generation immigrants’ insecurities drive them after dollar. He agreed with young adults that spending time with children is imperative for better family life.
Who is better babysitter – grand parents or alternative? Children like to go out while parents intend to stay home. How to strike a balance? Here was one of the major concerns on floor and on the podium.
It was agreed that growing distance between parents and children should be reduced. And it was responsibility of both parties to work together. Consensus was that parents and children should communicate more, spend more time with each other which would reduce these problems.
The heated debate raised many issues but some still remained unanswered such as “one learns culture from reading literature” and “how much literary reading do you do?”
Bad habits such as smoking, drinking and gambling were called age-old devils. Generally speaking children learn more from their parents’ lifestyle more than they admit. It is therefore very important for parents to communicate with their children openly and spend more time with them.
Kadva Patidar Samaj, Macon and Chairman Ajit Patel concluded this live debate with heated exchanges from both sides and humorous answers.
Matrimonal 2013
Finding a life partner is a very difficult and complex issue. It is not parents but young adults of marrying age also feel the same. This is not just story of Kadva Patidar alone; all other Indian-American communities feel the same way. More and more people have started paying more attention to this issue, as success of this event would be a deciding factor in future.
It seems Kadva Patidar Samaj is aware of the impact of this event as they allocated some funds for this event probably for the first time. Compared to their 2005 matrimonial event, this event was more organized. Presence of parents or guardians were eliminated. It was kept away from general public in a nicely decorated separate hall with some soft drinks, fresh fruit, nice music and a club like atmosphere.
To protect participants’ privacy no one was allowed to take video or take photograph. They also had participants engaged in modern icebreaker and computer matching. The young organizers were well aware of participant’s moods and requirements to achieve maximum results.
The young organizers, during the event saw some positive signs, but are cautiously awaiting for positive results. Let us wish them best for their efforts.
Nalini Raja
