CHICAGO: Chicagoans and community organizers from various States from India got together in Schaumburg under the leadership of Naren Patel, Vishwa Gujarati Samaj-USA President, to discuss and plan the mega event of celebrating victory of India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
This would be part of grand annual celebration of Vishwa Gujrati Samaj meet on Sunday August 17 at Jain Temple in Bartlett, a northwest suburb of Chicago
The excitement was high and the consensus was: “We are Indians first before we are Hindu, Muslim, Gujarati, Bengali, Punjabi, Sindhi, Sikh, Maharastrian or South Indian”.
All organizations participated whether political, social, not for profit, cultural, or language club. Naren Patel said that all take great pride in promoting their mother tongue. All those present at the meet agreed that Hindi being our national language, it needed greater efforts to be popularized. The consensus was that in schools and in voting booths, it should be only one language we should mention and that is Hindi.
Organizations represented were both FIAs, AIA, MAFS, VGS-USA, all Patidar Samaj, Brahma Samaj, Vaishnav Samaj, Hindi Club, Manpasand, IAMA and IAMACF, Gujarati Samaj and culture associations, temples, churches, mosques, many senior parivars of Chicago land area, Kerala Samaj, Orissa Samaj, Kaunkani Samaj, UP Samaj, Kashmiri Samaj, Sindhi Samaj and many more.
The consensus was that all should join hands to have one celebration under the umbrella of Vishwa Gujarati Samaj-USA. The event organizers are Naren Patel from Medstar Lab, Event Chair Mafat Patel from Patel Brothers, Dr Yash Amin from BAPS, Kishore Chugh, VGS-USA Treasurer.
This program will be unique, Naren Pael pointed out. It will be done with magnificent decorations and exhibitions, variety of booths, photo-booth for families to take a picture with the cut-out of Narendra Modi, souvenirs and various States showcasing their cultural programs. Artists will include Kamlesh Patel and a well-known playback singer from India.
Guest are expected to arrive at 3 pm and take a photo in the photo-booth, shopping exclusive jewelry, Indian outfits, and traditional sarees, and most importantly enjoy the exhibition of NAMO’s childhood, political and adult life starting from Chief Minister to Prime Minister, followed by the delicious dinner and cultural program.
The program will start at 6:00 p.m. with the American and Indian National Anthems and speech from Dr Ausuf Sayeed, Consul General of India. Beena Patel and Vandana Jhingan will be the Emcees of the program.
Vishwa Gujarati Samaj is an international organization of Gujarati community settled all over the world. Vishwa Gujarati Samaj-USA started in 2009 It is an extension of the global outfit. Its goal and mission are more or less similar to VGS India, with small variations, which are: Celebrate” Gujarat Din” every year in May; participate in the International Indian Women’s Conference every year in March; recognize extraordinary and talented Gujaratis in Chicago land area every year; recognize Gujaratis in Chicago land who have shown and worked selflessly for social uplift and humanitarian interests; promote Gujarati culture, heritage and language in every household; promote and celebrate Indian festivals and heritage; encourage Gujarati all over the world to participate in World Gujarati Conference; support relief efforts after natural calamities/disasters in Gujarat and anywhere else in India; work with Gujarati community for a future “Gharda Ghar ” (House for seniors) project.
“Our future goal is to include scholarship program for the deserving Gujarati and Indian students at large,” Naren Patel added.
Surendra Ullal
