By: Jayanti Oza

ISKCON Radha Shyamsundar Temple in Naperville recently celebrated its second annual fundraising anniversary with a grand event at the Banquet Hall of the DoubleTree Hotel in Oakbrook Terrace, near Chicago on 18th May, 2025. The gathering attracted around 800 members of the Indian American community, local business leaders, and representatives from various Chicago and Naperville associations.

The evening’s chief guest was renowned Bollywood actress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament from Mathura, Hema Malini Ji. The program began with an inspiring speech by spiritual guru Gaurang Das, followed by addresses from ISKCON activists Shyam Kumar and Kanchan Malik, as well as representatives from the VHPA Chicago and the World Hindu Council of America.
Hema Malini Ji’s arrival was met with thunderous applause. She was warmly welcomed by Gaurang Das with a traditional garland and shawl. In a heartfelt gesture, Hema Malini Ji invited donors onto the stage and honored them with shawls for their generous contributions. The actress then captivated the audience by singing hymns dedicated to Lord Krishna, creating a devotional atmosphere. In her speech, she shared her pride in representing Mathura and spoke about the transformation of the city’s infrastructure since she became an MP. She credited the support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP for significant improvements, including widening narrow roads and cleaning the city.
When invited to recite famous film dialogues, Hema Malini Ji playfully declined, sharing that her true passion lies in dancing, which she prefers to perform on stage. Her genuine humility and approachable demeanor left a lasting impression on attendees, resonating deeply within the Chicago Bharatiya community.