CHICAGO: Of the two most noteworthy features of the annual banquet and Diwali Milan that the Vishwa Gujarati Samaj USA hosted here recently was a sincere and honest attempt to showcase Gujarati culture thru dances and songs, and the second was to recognize Gujarati community activists who contributed a lot for the betterment of the society at large.
The event held on Sunday December 16 at India House restaurant was very well attended with 500 plus invitees, guests and members. The near three and half hour program was very well emceed by three ladies – Beena Patel, Dr Sonal Patel and Sonali Shukla – with spicing up done by yet another lady – Toral Chaudhary – who had children and young ones tuned up to perform Gujarati Garba, Raas and other songs.
The Gujarati food during social hours and dinner time was excellent and VGS headed by Naren Patel would get full marks but for a small fly in the ointment – the famed comedian Mahesh Rawal did not really get a chance to present his art. He was disappointed and so were a good number of his fans. Bust Masti group from Baroda really made up for it to a great extent and all those present were happy to have their Sunday evening spent at India House.
The event started with traditional lighting of lamps by Chief Guest Dr. Ram Raju, President Naren Patel, Grand Sponsor Mafat Patel, Kanti Patel, VGS Board members and others, including Awardees who were recognized for their wonderful contributions to the society. Naren Patel in his brief address urged every body to observe a minute’s silence in memory of those who killed in a random act of violence in Connecticut. He welcomed the guests and members and briefly dwelt on the progress made by VGS in recent years.
Raj Patel, vice president of MedStar Laboratories introduced Dr Ram Raju who in his brief address lauded the huge work done by VGS and mentioned that he was feeling more at home in Chicago than in New York where he had spent about three decades before coming to Chicago. Those recognized at the VGS event were Dr Bharat Barai of Indiana, Dr Sanjay Amin, Kishore Chug and Dr Manish Brahmbhatt. Special recognition went to Dr Beejal Amin, a neuro spine surgeon at Loyola Hospital.
The cultural program covered 1) Ganesh Stuti 2) Garabo with matlies, thalis and dandiyas “Gheru Gheru Nagaru Bole Che”. 3) Bollywood dance – Tumhi ho bandhu 4) Beats of passion – a contemporary twist on Bharatnatyam 5) Vande Mataram 6) Bollywood on beats of Gujarat – Rajasthani folk with Garabo-raas “Morni baga ma bole aadhi raat ma and dholi taro dhol baje” performed by Sonal Patel’s group.
Ramesh Soparawala & Asian Media USA
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