Thursday - 19th Oct was a cloudy/windy and rainy day when we had arranged the whole day of Garba on the 5th day of "Navratri" with live band of Viru Vakani Group. However this gloomy day did not deter NVK's members to start coming even before our 11.00 am start.
Members and guests turned up with smart dresses and ladies in colourful attires for the Garbas.
The programme was arranged in the large Hall and soon all the Chairs laid out on both sides of the 'Mataji's madh which was in the centre were occupied and more chairs had to be brought from other Hall. The stage for the Band was on the far side of the entrance door.
At 11.00 am sharp the music started with mataji songs and members joined and formed a large round circle and started doing the Garbas. Members kept on joining in the circle and soon two circles were formed. The Band sang wonderful garba songs non-stop until 12.45 pm, when 'Aarti' was performed.
Thereafter, the President - Vinod Parekh announced : i) We have printed a few copies of the Diwali Dhamaka programme on 9th November showing the Post Code and details of the Blue Room Banquet for those who do not have email access. Please collect from the Main Desk. There was one mistake in our message on how to reach the Blue Room by public transport. If you are coming out of the Headstone Lane Station, we mentioned turn right. This was wrong, you have to turn left and just further down you will see shops and walk a little further to reach the venue.
ii). If you have not booked your Tickets for the Programme, please get it soon as we will close booking from 2nd November. Gates will open at 10.30 am
iii). We welcome all guests today and hope that they all have a good time with raas/garba and meeting their friends.
Secretary - Purnimaben Mehta announced on the new Membership Cards and gave full details. She announced we will inform you when to renew your membership and bring the payment. At the moment all members are requested to come with their Membership card and have their photos taken by either Chimanbhai or Karsanbhai in the other Hall.
She also reminded the members that they should find 10 names for the sitting arrangements at the Diwali Dhamaka programme. Please do not expect us to complete the list, try and go round and get the list filled up. Your support is appreciated.
Lunch started on time at 1.00 pm and today's Menu included : "Garam Siro", Samosa, Rotli, Undhiyu etc. Also everyone was given the 'Prasaad' which had been brought by members. NVK.s many thanks to all of them.
In the other Hall, Chimanbhai and Karsanbhai had continued to take photos of members for the issue of new Membership Cards.
Music continued after 2.00 pm and members joined again with the tuneful music to perform raas, garba and Dandiya. The Band continued to sing some yesteryear famous songs.
At 3.00 pm Tea was served.
The music stopped at 3.20 pm. Members had enjoyed playing garbas with the tuneful music.
ATTENDANCE : 299 Members/Guests
WEATHER : Cloudy/rainy 17 C
PRAFUL SHAH
PRO - NVK