KENDRA’S GRAND MUSICAL PROGRAMME AT SATTAVIS PATIDAR CENTRE ON THURS – 13/04/23
Thursday - 13th April was a bright and sunny day when we had our first Grand Musical programme this year with full day of music by Marina Group.
As usual our members were so excited that many had turned up at the venue very early and everyone was full of enthusiasm wearing smart dresses, colourful saris or suits. They entered the Hall after presenting their tickets to the volunteers at the Main Table near the entrance in the Foyer.
We are indeed proud of these volunteers who sat there in the cold (as there was no heating in the Foyer) serving the members until nearly lunch time whilst others were enjoying the music.
On the Volunteer's Table, a beautiful flower bouquet presented by Manjuben Pindoria was displayed. She has been doing this for many years now. Many thanks from NVK.
All the tables and chairs arranged in the Hall were decorated in White. On all the Tables there was a bottle of water for each person. There was also a Programme for the day with Table number with the special menu.
The attendance was 330 members and guests, which is now becoming a norm in our special programmes with live music. This shows how popular our programmes are growing day by day.
On the stage at far end of the Hall was the music band of Marina Group with six members including the lady singer - Meera. Music started on the dot at 11.00 am with the Navkar Mantra dhun. After the auspicious start of the programme, the Group continued with memorable old time favourite songs.
The Group continued to sing several oldies and unforgettable tunes from the “Bhuli Bishri Yadeein”, which were highly applauded as members also started to sing with the Group's melodious tunes. Several requests from members for their favourite songs were sung to the delight, dancing and clapping by members.
The joyous mood of all the members and guests with thunderous clapping all the time, encouraged the singers.
At 12.45pm there was a break from music and the President-Vinod Parekh and Secretary - Purnimaben Mehta made their announcements. Purnimaben thanked the Marina Group for giving us such melodious tunes which were highly appreciated by the audience.
Vinod welcomed all members and the guests and said that he was confident that everyone would enjoy our today's programme and the quality set up.
He then introduced NVK's guests :
Shital Haria - son of our member - Shobhnaben and late Dr Manu Haria (who has always helped us in making photocopies in large quantities when needed), and our Auditor - Dipak Shah.
Guest - Yoga Guru - Manishaben who has been conducting Yoga for NVK for the last 15 years now. He thanked :
Meera Caterers for their delicious food, Executive Committee members, Volunteers and Sattavis Patidar Centre for their cooperation and help to make this a wonderful enjoyable day.
Sarojben Mahesh Savadia for sponsoring the Kesar/Pista Ice Cream to celebrate the 80th birthday of her husband Mahesh Savadia. (Marina Group sang the Happy Birthday song)
Adarsh Gujaral for kindly sponsoring the water bottles on the Tables for everybody.
He announced the following Donations and thanked them :
£51 from Amritlal Chauhan
£25 from Damyantiben J Shah
£25 from an anonymous Donor
After the announcements, Vinod Parekh said that today we are going to perform a very important occasion of "Bestowal of Saal" to one of our member - Suryakant L Mehta who reached his milestone 90 years of age on 10th April and as is customary in NVK to recognise members' 90th birthday, he will be honoured today. The family of Suryakantbhai was called near the stage and in the presence of entire Executive Committee the President and Vice President -Dr Vinodbhai Kapashi bestowed the "saal" and the Band played the Happy Birthday song. Vinod Parekh also said that we pray to Lord Mahavir that he will enjoy many more birthdays to come. Surykantbhai then gave a donation of £101 to NVK and thanked NVK for honouring him. He has now joined the Special group of 15 members previously honoured.
At 1.00 pm the lunch was served - first to the Musical Group, then table numbers were called upon by Dr Mahendra Vora so the people seating on those tables came to join in the Queue near the serving tables where volunteers served them the food.
The menu was: 'Habshi Halwa', Basundi & Patra (these two items were a surprise addition from Meera Caterers, as these were not on the menu), Masala Puri, Methi Gota, Crispy Potato Bhajia, Green Beans saakh, Black eye Beans in gravy, Rice, Tuver Daal, Chutney, Pappadum and pickles of Carrot & Capsicum. followed by 'Chaas'.
At 2.00 pm, the music restarted with more songs and Music. The Gujarati Garbas were a hit and the dancing floor was packed with members performing garbas. The Group also sang a Swahili song which was favourite of all Ex - East Africans.
The dance floor remained crowded with dancing members till the end. It was a matter of pride for NVK to see many members in their seventies and eighties taking part in Garbas and dances so joyfully and happily without any care in the world.
At 3.00 pm the Kesar/Pista Ice Cream sponsored by Sarojben Mahesh Savadia to celebrate 80th Birthday of Mahesh was distributed.
The Music programme ended after 3.30 pm and a member from the floor - Sharadbhai Mehta came to give a Vote of Thanks on behalf of all others. He thanked the NVK Committee for arranging such a well arranged programme with melodious music and the delicious menu at lunch. He suggested that members would like to have such programmes more often as everyone enjoyed this thoroughly.
Many members talked about the very enjoyable and excellent programme, delicious food at lunch and the melodious music which they applauded. From the members views, it seemed this was yet another fantastic programme we have had so far.
After the programme many members have expressed congratulations, appreciation and enjoyment of the excellent programme. Also two messages as shown hereunder were received. To all those who expressed or sent such messages, The Executive Committee has to say that members’ satisfaction and enjoyment is our reward for all our efforts. When members enjoy and give us credit, it also gives us the impetus, a lot of pleasure and encouragement and we hope to continue to work even better for the elderly in future.
MESSAGES :
a) Dear Vinodbhai and your dedicated team and volunteers
Heartiest congratulations and hats off to you all. Today's programme was superb, no complaints. welcome, organisation, time keeping, food, music and company everything was excellent. Please keep up the good work and we all pray to god to give you all, Best of Health, Happiness, relief and fulfilment of all your dreams and wishes. Thank you very much.
With Best and Loving Wishes
from JASU & DOLAT SHETH
b) Dear all the Committee Members and Office Bearers
Thoroughly enjoyed today's programme. Excellent food and music.
But Best of All was to see all the Volunteers working so hard and also having their food after doing Seva to us all.
Thank you all and keep bringing more of this type of programmes.
KRISHNA & KIRTI MEHTA
PRAFUL SHAH
PRO - NVK
ATTENDANCE : 330
WEATHER - SUNNY 13C