20/12/23
Dear Members,
Jai Jinendra and Jai Shree Krishna,
This report gives the highlights of our Grand Diwali Dhamaka programme held this year at the Blue Room Banquet Hall with live music on 9th November, '23.
It was a dull cloudy day but as usual, our members were very excited to come for the annual Diwali Dhamaka programme, which this year was held in a new venue - Blue Room. Members and guests came in colourful attires even before the gates were open.
After the gates were opened, everyone entered the Banquet Hall, when they were served with a welcome sweet - "Barfi" which was very kindly sponsored by the Blue Room. This sweet was served by Sangitaben Mandalia, Meenaben Vora and Sarojben Savadia.
At the entrance to the Hall beautiful eye catching four Rangolis were displayed and also beautiful decorations were done by our members - Meenaben & Dr Mahendra Vora, Niruben Doshi, Mayaben Parikh and Chimanbhai Amin.
The hall looked wonderful with round tables laid out for sitting ten people. On each Table there were bottles of Soft Drink, Water and Juice. Members and Guests were given their Table numbers in advance so it was easier for them to take their places.
The programme started at 11.00 am with the live Music Band of Sur Sangam, who played famous Bollywood songs of yesteryears.
At 12.30 pm the delicious mouth watering Starters were brought to each table - Mixed Bhajias, Mari Mogo, Chilli Paneer and Aloo Papdi Chaat. Everyone was very delighted to have such tasteful food, which was highly praised.
In the meantime the melodious music continued with favourite songs of members until 12.45pm when there was a break when the President - Vinod Parekh and Secretary - Purnimaben Mehta made their announcements.
President- Vinod Parekh welcomed all to our annual Diwali Dhamaka programme and said that he hoped all are having a splendid time listening to the music by Sur Sangam. On behalf of
NVK, he wished all a Happy Diwali with good health and may Godess Laxmiji shower her blessings to all families.
He said today, we had over 50 guests of Members and he welcomed all and wished they have a joyful afternoon and requested them to move around and mingle with other NVK members and enjoy the music. Amongst the guests, we had NVK special invitees and he introduced them :
a) Our first guest is Mr Dipakbhai and Ritaben Shah. Dipakbhai has been our Honourary Auditor for the last 10/12 years. Today we are lucky to have them with us. He thanked them for spending their valuable afternoon working hours with us and having fellowship with us. Many thanks for your services to NVK.
b) Our second guest this afternoon is Mr Chandrakant Mehta from Brighton, whom we all know. He had been a fantastic host to our coach trip to Brighton & Crawley in July of this year. With his team of volunteers, they went out of way to make our trip memorable. Chandrakantbhai many thanks to all of you for your hospitality. We will be coming next year again with 3 coaches so get ready.
c) Our third guest this afternoon is none other then Mr Piyushbhai Shah and his wife. Piyushbhai has been our Advisor for NVK Website for over 8 years. He has been looking after the technical aspect of it. Recently our Executive Committee decided to move forward and issue electronic plastic cards for members. To introduce this system, we approved Piyushbhai and he very willingly offered his services. Not only that, he worked out a simple process for the issuing of plastic Membership Cards, thus saving NVK a good amount of cash. We hope to get the whole process working soon. Many thanks on behalf of all NVK members.
d). I would say a big thank you to our Yoga Guru and Guest - Manishaben for all her efforts to keep our seniors in good health.
Then he continued to say that everyone must have seen the Rangoli displayed by our members to celebrate Diwali. he was very happy that even at this age, they all do fantastic effort. This year we had four Rangoli on display and the artists are : Meenaben & Dr. Mahendra Vora, Niruben Doshi, Mayaben Parikh and & Chimanbhai Amin. Please give them a round of applause.
He also thanked the members who had donated the Raffle prizes, which were very useful items.
The musical group - Sur Sangam has played wonderful music and hope you all enjoyed dancing to the tune. Second part of the music will start at 2.00 pm with more melodious songs and music.
He thanked Mr. Binod, Mahesh & Dilip Patel of Blue Room for their support and understanding to our requests.
After the announcements, Secretary - Purnimaben Mehta announced the prize for Best Dressed Lady - Chandraben Patel and Best Dressed Gent - Kantibhai Shah
BEST DRESSED LADY - CHANDRABEN PATEL
BEST DRESSED GENT - KANTIBHAI J SHAH (SADLY KANTIBHAI PASSED AWAY ON 17/11/23 -RIP)
Afterwards she did the Raffle Draw for the six prizes donated by members and the following lucky winners were drawn and the prizes were given to the winners by the Donors.
RAFFLE DRAW
IST PRIZE - WINNER -RASILABEN SHAH
2ND PRIZE WINNER - SHARDABEN MODI
3RD PRIZE WINNER - PIYUSH SHAH
4
4TH PRIZE WINNER - DHANVANT DAMANI
5TH PRIZE WINNER BHARIBEN KOTECHA
6TH PRIZE WINNER - J J DHANANI
Soon after the Raffle Draw, the table numbers were called for the main course of buffet lunch. Everyone enjoyed the delicious lunch of : Gulab Jambu, Masala Puri, Methi/Corn Masala, Ringna/mutter nu saakh, Jeera Rice, Dal Tadka, Salad, Raita, Carrot pickles and Fur fur.
Jain food was also available for the Jains on another Serving Table.
Later on English Tea and Coffee was served on a separate Table, where members had to go in a queue.
Everyone enjoyed the sumptuous lunch variety and praised the menu choice.
Donations received were then announced. NVK many thanks to all donors:
DONATIONS :
*£125 from Chandrakantbhai Mehta and Family, from Brighton.
*£20 from Radhaben Pindoria.
*£51 from Kundanben & Vinodbhai Parekh
*£101 from Jayantbhai & Ramaben Doshi.
*£51 from Chimanbhai & Ushaben Sheth.
*£21 from Taraben & Mansukhlal Shah.
*£10 from Sushilaben J. Shah.
*£101 from Dhirubhai Shah on the occasion of his wife Rasilaben's 70th Birthday today.
*£21 from Nareshbhai Doshi in memory of his late wife Pratibhaben.
*£51 from Anonymous Donor.
*£51 from late Kantibhai J Shah & his family.
*£51 from Sarojben & Kishorbhai Lakhani
*£ 75 from Taju Shah
*£ 51 from Avantibhai Jasani
Our member Vinodbhai Malde then spoke on behalf of all present to thank for a most enjoyable programme, music and for all the arrangements made by the Executive Committee for the mouth watering menu.
Then the Sur Sangam Band continued to play melodious music till 4.00 pm . Overall our Diwali Dhamaka went very well enjoyed by members and guests.
President - Vinod Parekh made the following announcements on 16/09/23 :
We had a fantastic Diwali Dhamaka programme at the Blue Room and I would like to thank all the members and guests who sent messages by phone, What's App and Emails that they had really enjoyed the whole set up of the event. It took a lot of hard work behind all arrangements of the Programme and we in the Executive Committee feel so proud that our efforts have been successful. Hopefully next year, too, our venue will be Blue Room.
There was one thing which we felt so proud of you all. Their Manager - Mr. Mahesh pointed out that the behaviour of our members was outstanding and when I asked him what had happened that he was very happy. He then pointed at the queue for Tea/Coffee and said people usually rush towards the serving table and there is no system at all. But our members got in the line and that made their staff serve us better in re-fillings. Ultimately this mattered much as the staff served us well.
TOTAL ATTENDANCE WAS 327
PRAFUL SHAH
PRO - NVK