Grand Ganesh Mahotsav celebrated by the Indian Seniors of Chicago
By: Jayanti Oza
On Saturday, September 14, 2024, the Indian Seniors of Chicago held their General Meeting at Mahalakshmi Hall in Manav Seva Mandir, with an impressive turnout of 320 members. The event began with a heartfelt performance by Seth Bhupendra Suthar, who shared details about an upcoming temple tour in Chicago scheduled for October 5, 2024. Treasurer Hemant Modi presented the financial summary for August 2024 and acknowledged the generous donors.
During the meeting, Bhupendra Suthar extended warm birthday wishes to members celebrating in September, with Jayesh Shah leading the rendition of “Bar Baar Din Ye Aaye Tum Jiyo Hazaaron Saal.”
In memory of the organization’s trustees—Hira Patel, Shanta Patel, and Bhailal Patel—who passed away in August, members observed a moment of silence. Manu Shah elaborated on the contributions of Hira Patel, while Chandrakant Patel gave an impactful lecture on the ongoing struggles faced by Hindus in Bangladesh, urging the community to remain vigilant.
The celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi was a highlight of the gathering, with a vibrant parade of the Ganesha idol through Mahalakshmi Hall. The atmosphere was filled with chants of “Ganapati Bapa Morya, Jai Shri Ganesh,” as Bhupendra Suthar led the Ganesha aarti, inviting members to participate. Everyone was treated to Sukamewa prasad, and Bhadra Shah captivated attendees with a soulful bhajan.
Kanti Patel, the vice president of the organization, introduced Viren Joshi from Manav Sadhana Kendra, which has been a beacon of health services for over 30 years. With 11 community centers and 89 kindergartens, Manav Sadhana Kendra employs 171 dedicated staff members. The festivities also featured pre-Navratri celebrations, with members joyfully participating in Ras Garba.
Kanti Patel expressed gratitude to the volunteers, donors, Hemant Modi for his work on the sound system, and photographer Jayanti Oza. The event concluded with collective prayers, followed by a delicious meal shared among attendees before they departed.
