KENDRA’S RAKSHABANDHAN & GRAND MUSICAL PROGRAMME AT SATTAVIS PATIDAR CENTRE ON THURS – 31/08/23
The last day of official Summer - Thurs - 31st August was a dull and cloudy day with Met forecast of rain from 10 am continuously through the day. However it never rained until late in the late afternoon. But this did not deter our Senior Citizens members who started to arrive at the venue much early to enjoy the Grand Musical programme of Viru Vakani and Party and also take part in the Raksha Bandhan programme.
As usual our members were very excited, smiling and full of enthusiasm wearing smart dresses, colourful saris or suits. This time we had tried to change the system to facilitate the sitting arrangements in the Hall. As announced several times before, members were informed that if they wanted to seat together on a Table, then all of them, even with Guests, should come together and stand in the Queue to surrender their Tickets to the Volunteers on the Arrival Desk outside the Hall in the Foyer, and exchange with the the Table number allocated. Once, they were allocated their Table numbers, they had to collect their water bottles and enter in the Hall, where Volunteers directed them to their Tables.
However a few members had joined in the Queue without all their members seating together having arrived and they were requested to wait until all came together to exchange their Tickets. We request members to adhere to our announcements and messages and cooperate with us so that everything works out smoothly in future.
On the Arrival Table for Registration and Ticket exchange Table, a beautiful flower arrangement in glass vase presented by Manjuben Pindoria was displayed. She has been doing this for many years now.
We are indeed proud of these volunteers who remain in the Foyer serving the members until nearly lunch time whilst others were enjoying the programme and music.
At the entrance to the Hall, our members Meenaben and Rameshbhai N. Shah had decorated an eye catching Rangoli with the theme of Raksha Bandhan, using large green leaves. The couple have always displayed such marvellous Rangolis on table at our main programmes.
All the tables and chairs arranged in the Hall were decorated in White. On all the Tables there were 'Rakhis' brought by Dr. Vinodbhai Kapashi and sweets for the Rakshabandhan programme. There was also a Programme/Menu Card.
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The attendance was 350 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.
At 11.00 am the Rakshabandhan programme started. Dr Vinodbhai Kapashi welcomed everyone and gave a detailed explanation of the festival of tying the 'rakhi' by sisters on the hands of their brothers. For half and hour ladies were seen tying the 'rakhi' on the hands of gents and then offering the sweets to each other.
At 11.35am the Music Band on the stage at far end of the Hall started with the Navkar Mantra dhun and then the Gayatri Mantra. After the auspicious start of the programme, the Group continued to sing a few very famous songs referring to the love between sisters and brothers - like - "Fullo ka taroo ka sabka kahena he, ek hazaroo me meri bhena he .....", "Kaun halave limdi ne kaun julave pipdi, bhai ni beni ne bhailo julave dalkhi.....". After such melodious songs, they started to sing the Bollywood oldies and all 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 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: ''Churma na Ladoo", Thepla, Patra, Khandvi, Biryani, Raita, Potatoes in Gravy, Papadum, Chutney & Chaas. - Also 'Matoke nu saakh' for Jains.
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 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 there was a break from music and the President-Vinod Parekh announced : i) He welcomed all members and their guests stating that today we had 45 guests proving that even guests like our programme, set up and discipline. This is all possible due to the support which members give us and listen to our planning and system. Many thanks to all. Today we had introduced a new system of seating arrangement.
ii) What a unique day we had of Raksha Bandhan. We had a grand ceremony of members tying Rakhi to each one. This has been a new bond celebrating between friends and families. Good luck to all. My thanks to the Cultural Co-Ordinator - Dr. Vinodbhai Kapashi, who had also brought all the Rakhis on your tables. If you wish to give any donation, kindly get in touch with Purnimaben Mehta. This is a wonderful opportunity to do so.
iii) At the entrance to the Hall, you all must have seen the Rangoli. Our members - Meenaben and Rameshbhai N. Shah have yet again decorated the rangoli with green leaves on the theme of Raksha Bandhan. He thanked them.
iv) NVK guest - we had invited Mr Nemubhai Chandaria, President of One Jain, but due to some urgent work, he could not come.
v) As this is the largest gathering of our members, I wish to point out : Use of plastic glasses for Chaas etc. -the cost has doubled and we all have to cooperate and see that there is no wastage. Use only one glass for refill of chaas. Secondly we have kept the 2024 subscription same as £125 and we will start to renew your membership in October '23.
vi) I had full support of our Executive Committee on this grand programme. Many thanks to all. They all came here since early morning. Secondly, for such large programme, we need dedicated volunteers in various sections eg. at the entrance gate, in the Hall, in the Kitchen and to serve the lunch. My whole hearted thanks to all the gentleman and ladies.
v) We had full support from the Sattavis Patidar Manager and staff for the set up in this Hall. Thanks to them.
vi) Meera Caterers for preparing the delicious lunch which we will be serving to you all.
vii) Our thanks to late Shardaben J Shah's son and daughter in law - Seju amd Pritiben Shah for sponsoring the water bottles given to all.
Our member Dhirubhai Galani then came to give vote of thanks on behalf of all present here for a very enjoyable programme with good food and enjoyable music by the Band. He requested that all should respect what the President announces. The first programme of Raksha Bandhan was also thoroughly enjoyed by all. He applauded the entire Committee for organising such enjoyable programmes.
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 - Kanchanben Natwarlal Mehta who reached her milestone 90 years of age on 18th August and as is customary in NVK to recognise members' 90th birthday, she will be honoured today. She was then called near the stage and in the presence of entire Executive Committee, the Secretary - Purnimaben Mehta and the President's wife - Kundanben Parekh bestowed the "saal" after which and the Band played the Happy Birthday song. Vinod Parekh also said that we pray to Lord Mahavir that she will enjoy many more birthdays to come. Kanchanben then gave a donation of £101 to NVK and thanked NVK for honouring her. She has now joined the Special group of 16 members previously honoured.
At 3.00 pm Dr Vinodbhai Kapashi announced that next Thursday we are going to celebrate Shri Krishna Janmashtmi. There will be a procession followed by "Matki Fod" and a specially prepared garbo. Finally there will be Dandia -raas. Also if anyone wants to bring 'prasad', please bring Farari prasad.
The Music programme ended after 3.30 pm with the last two songs - "Yeh Dosti Hum Nahi todege......" and "Kabhi Alvida naa kehna....."
Our member - Jasuben Sheth came to give her thanks for an excellent programme thoroughly enjoyed by all. She praised the President - Vinod Parekh and his entire team for a very well organised programme with delicious lunch menu and tuneful songs by the Band. They all had good entertainment. She then joined with all members to say three cheers for the NVK Committee.
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 a message as shown hereunder was 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 :
Dear Vinodbhai, Prafulbhai, Jayubhai, Purnimaben and all the committee members.
Thank you for a fun and happy celebration today. Everything was perfect - the organisation, the food, the music and the whole happy atmosphere. Keep it up.
Best wishes
Meena and Ramesh Shah
PRAFUL SHAH
PRO - NVK
ATTENDANCE : 350
WEATHER - CLOUDY 16 C