Pushpaji Celebration of Life:

--submitted by Shiamin Melville

Guests arrived at 9.30 am , and after speeches by Chanda, Sharad, Shiamin, Dr Mundra, Anjali, Maneesha, and Wandana, there was a Bhajan dedication by Sarita Deshpande and beautiful rendition on sitar by Usha Verma.  We celebrated what would have been her 90th birthday with Cake  and song dedication. Dr Kirti Nagpal emceed and share a video of her in last month, still boyuant  full of verve

Brief Synopsis:

We are gathered here today to remember and celebrate the remarkable life of *Pushpa Joshi* — a beloved member of our community, a teacher, a pioneer, a mentor, and a dear friend.

Pushpa ji came to the United States in 1964, leaving behind the familiar in search of new opportunities alongside her husband. Like many immigrants, she arrived with hope,but what she built here went far beyond a life for herself. She helped create a home for *all of us*.

When Pushpa ji arrived, there was no Indian community center, no gathering place for cultural celebration or connection. There were just a few families meeting in each other’s homes, sharing aarti and potluck during Diwali, borrowing Hindi films and creating joy from whatever they had. And there was Pushpaji, right in the center of it all — organizing, connecting, and serving. She once made 100 puris for a community gathering.

She saw ISW grow from a small circle of friends into what it is today — the vibrant, inclusive, intergenerational community center we are all so proud of. Her memories are the story of ISW: hosting bhajans in borrowed halls and then reaching the huge milestone of breaking ground on our very own building in Shrewsbury. She also helped with establishing Learnquest, a premier Musical organization, and helped find the location at Waltham for them

One of her last messages to us was a simple but powerful wish: *that the children attending ISW school today would one day watch their own grandchildren grow up in this same community — rooted in heritage, but always evolving.

Pushpa ji’s legacy is not just in the halls of the ISW center, or the events she helped organize. Her true legacy lives in every child learning their mother tongue, in every elder who finds connection at Humrahee, in every family that finds a sense of belonging here. Her legacy is *us*.

Om Shanti.

- By Kelly Mittal

ISW PEN Co-Chairs Ragoo and Kelly are thrilled to share that they had a highly successful and engaging meeting and luncheon on August 13, 2025 between the ISW PEN Business Owners group and UniBank. UniBank’s CEO, Michael Welch, was not only deeply engaged but also spoke with genuine pride about the growing partnership between UniBank and ISW. It was inspiring to witness the active participation from all attendees and the valuable exchange of ideas and resources.

A big shoutout to WEW Chair Snehal for bringing such a strong representation of women entrepreneurs, and thank you to former ISW President Puneet Kohli for thoughtful closing remarks. Special thanks to Anjali Paranjape for flawlessly organizing the event and serving as the vital bridge between UniBank and ISW.

And the cherry on top: UniBank generously gifted each attendee a card to donate $500 to a charity of their choice. We’re hopeful that many will choose ISW—so we may see some welcome support coming our way soon!

- By Geetanjali Virmani

What a beautiful and blissful Janmashtami celebration we had at the India Center!

A big THANK YOU to our incredible ISW family — devotees, volunteers, performers, sponsors( Dayal Family) , and our adorable little Kanha & Gopis — for making August 17, 2025 a truly memorable day filled with bhakti, smiles, and community spirit.

From soulful bhajans, Krishna Abhishek By Pandit Shivram Sharma ji, divine aarti, colorful kids’ parade , Dhai Handi to the delicious lunch Prashad, every moment reflected the love and dedication you all poured into this event.

Special appreciation to our Humrahee Group for soulful Bhajans , Our event sponsors Mr Rajiv & Priti Dayal and family for such delicious Lunch Prashaad and not to forget behind-the-scenes volunteers whose tireless efforts brought this celebration to life.

With everyone’s blessings and participation, ISW continues to preserve and share our rich cultural heritage in the heart of Shrewsbury.

Looking forward to seeing you at Religious Committee's next event. October 10th Karwachauth.

ISW Celebrates 62nd Anniversary and 37th India Day at DCU Center

Rajesh Khare

The India Society of Worcester (ISW) commemorated its 62nd anniversary alongside the 37th annual India Day celebration on August 9, 2025, at the DCU Center in Worcester. This milestone event marked the 10th consecutive year that India Day has been hosted at the DCU Center, underscoring the event’s significance within the region and its role in promoting Indian culture and heritage across New England.

The celebration commenced with an invigorating Dhol Tasha Lezim performance by the Symphony initiative, setting an enthusiastic and festive tone for the day. The cultural program showcased a diverse array of performances, including contemporary dance presentations, traditional rhythms of Kerala’s Chenda Melam, and a distinguished performance by the Humrahee senior group. The Symphony initiative exhibited a vibrant display of local talent through vocal ensembles and folk rhythms, complemented by an art fair featuring regional artists. The participation of children and mothers in dance performances further illustrated the community’s rich artistic heritage.

Mayor Joseph Petty of Worcester, serving as the Chief Guest, praised ISW’s longstanding contributions.

In addition to cultural festivities, the event highlighted ISW’s commitment to community welfare and engagement. Attendees benefited from free health services provided by the ISW Health Stop. The India Youth Group contributed to the festive atmosphere with volunteer-operated stands offering popcorn, cotton candy, and mehendi. Informational booths representing the ISW Language and Cultural School, Humrahee, and the Crisis Support Network provided valuable resources and program information to the community.

The venue also featured a vibrant marketplace, where vendors showcased a wide range of Indian clothing, jewelry, handicrafts, and regional delicacies, enriching the cultural experience for attendees.

Symphony Chair Sarita Deshpande described the atmosphere vividly: "I loved watching people shop for beautiful Indian clothes and jewelry, enjoy tasty food, witness lively music and dance performances, explore fun children’s activities, admire stunning local artwork, and take part in helpful workshops, all coming together in one joyful, vibrant celebration."

Milestones and Meaning

India Day Chair Kamlesh Khilnani reflected on the event’s significance: "It was truly heartwarming to witness the vibrant crowds coming together, enjoying the lively music and captivating dance performances, and savoring the variety of delicious traditional foods. Your enthusiasm and participation are what make this celebration so special year after year."

President Jagan Srinivasan added: "India Day 2025 had it all, music, food, dance, and enough energy to light up Worcester. For me, the real success was seeing the community come together to celebrate our heritage and culture."

Cultural Co-Chair Komal Tanna noted: "An extraordinarily successful event by ISW for the community, bringing together India’s vibrant colors all under one roof for the 10th year at the DCU Center."

Cultural Chair Smita Manjrekar expressed her enthusiasm: "The ISW India Day event comes once a year, but its vibrant spirit stays with us all year long. I am already excited for next year’s celebration."

Workshops and Community Services

The celebration featured impactful community programs. The Women Empowering Women (WEW) initiative collaborated with the Professional and Entrepreneurial Network (PEN) to host a professional headshot session along with resume review and mock interview workshops.

Snehalata Kadam, WEW co-chair, explained: "For us, WEW means Empowerment Without Borders. We believe that female empowerment is a fundamental human right, essential for building a more equitable and prosperous world."

PEN co-chair Kelly Mittal shared: "The event perfectly embodied PEN’s mission to empower and connect the community’s Professionals"

Shiamin Melville,  Chair of ISW University, highlighted the collaboration: "What a great opportunity to share ISW programs for chess and dance classes in collaboration with Sports and Symphony. Personally, I love meeting with the ISW family."

Community Voices

Sponsors, volunteers, and attendees reflected on the welcoming spirit of India Day.

• Michael Stone of UniBank summed it up: "Nothing but happiness and smiles. We have a great time learning more about the culture and the people, and I really enjoy it."
• Raj Melville, longtime member and volunteer, shared: "Absolutely the community, finding new friends, making new friends, connecting with people, seeing the young people get engaged, and then watching them grow up."
• Darshana Jani, ISW member for 25 years, said: "Every year when I come to the program, I learn something new about our heritage. I have learned how American society impacts our heritage and how our heritage influences the American season."
• Manoj Kumar from Indian Circle for Caring explained: "We provide emergency support for people facing crises like hospitalization or the death of a family member."
• Artist Chaitrali admired the planning: "I love the way you organize it and all the different things you get to see. I might even ask if I can volunteer next year."
• Shanta from Natick praised the warmth: "First of all, it is the community feeling, you come here and everybody is so warm and friendly. The spirit of giving is amazing."

India Day Co-Chair Suchitra Shinde reflected on the connections made: "It was a pleasure meeting new people and equally heartwarming to hear stories from ISW volunteers and participants about how they and their families have cherished memories with ISW and India Day."

Looking Ahead

From cultural performances and artistic showcases to professional development opportunities, free health services, and community outreach, this year’s event once again proved that ISW India Day is more than a festival. It is a living expression of heritage, unity, and pride.

We thank our sponsors for their generous support in making India Day possible: AARP, Berkshire Bank, Central One Federal Credit Union, Country Bank, eClinicalWorks, ILLUMINE i, Middlesex Savings Bank, Polyset, UNIBANK, and Webster Five.

Picture Credit - Arjun Thube, Parnitha Karapakula, Sahith Madadi and other volunteers

Event Recap: ISW Symphony Performs at WooSox Indian Heritage Day

On a vibrant and unforgettable evening at Polar Park in Worcester, ISW Symphony had the honor of performing the pregame entertainment for the Worcester Red Sox (WooSox) as part of the celebration of Indian Heritage Day on July 18th.

The Symphony’s Dhol-Tasha-Lezim ensemble was one of the standout moments of the event. What made this performance truly special was the all-women Dhol-Tasha team accompanied by enthusiastic kids on percussion — a powerful representation of cultural pride, inclusion, and youth engagement.

A total of 14 women and 5 children took to the home field, delivering an electrifying performance that brought folk traditions to the heart of a beloved American pastime. The group performed five unique renditions of traditional rhythms, creating a captivating musical journey that had spectators not just watching, but dancing and cheering along.

The children, thrilled to be part of the event, were especially excited to perform on a professional baseball field — a dream come true for many of them — and even got a chance to meet some of the WooSox players in person.

The performance was warmly received by the crowd and added a vibrant and rhythmic flavor to an already festive evening, showcasing the beauty of Indian culture through music and community spirit.

Women Performers  

Anjali Kinhikar, Aishwarya Mungarwadi, Anuradha Bhogle, Manjiri Patil, Meenakshi Vaze, Pranita Deshmukh, Prasanna Pawar, Sakshi Gurao, Samyukta Warty, Sarita Deshpande, Sonia Gera, Veena Dindore, Vishakha Khamankar.

Kids Performers

Ayaan Sahasrabudhe, Arjun Sahasrabudhe, Cyrus Bhada, Maurya Pawar, Vedant Mungarwadi

Support Team 

Arvind Kinhikar, Ashok Kale, Kaustubh Sahasrabudhe, Rajesh Khare, Sanket Gurao, Shamsnaz Bhada.

Pictures and Videos link

All are invited to come celebrate Pushpaji's life, arranged by the Joshi family and ISW on August 10 Sunday 9.30 to 11.30 am. 

Hosted by Sharad, Chanda and Wandana (Joshi Family) at India Center, Shrewsbury, MA. Do RSVP at this link  Thank you. Pushpaji was an incredible role model for us and contributed to ISW successes and programs as captured in this article 

Explore the Garden at Twilight on Wednesdays & Thursdays or during the day

Enjoy a peaceful mid-week escape on Extended Wednesdays, complete with sunset, dinner and drinks, and a rotating showcase of local breweries and distilleries. Then don’t miss the fun with live music, lawn games, a craft beer garden, delicious dinner specials, and plenty of festive summer vibes on Thursday Summer Evenings.

New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill has gifted two ISW organizational membership passes  to ISW, which can be used by our members. Please show the printed tickets  upon arrival at the Garden for free general admission to Tower Hill.  Complete this form  AND send email to schoollead@iswonline.org.  If you are not an ISW member, do consider becoming one. One membership card admits three individuals for FREE, we have two, so 6 can visit per day.  

The Culinary Workshop took place on July 7, 2025, at 6:00 PM at the India Center. Approximately 15 attendees gathered to enjoy a delicious lineup of refreshing summer salads and snacks, presented by Priya Vaidya and Suchitra Agrawal.

Priya Vaidya began the session with a flavorful Maharashtrian Pohe snack, prepared using thin poha mixed with fresh ingredients like onions, cucumber, parsley, lemon juice, and nuts. Following that, Suchitra Agrawal presented a vibrant Corn Bhel Salad/Chaat, featuring onions, tomatoes, tamarind chutney, coriander, and other colorful components.

Priya then shared two more creative dishes—an exciting Ponk Salad and a refreshing salad topped with creamy avocado dressing.

The attendees thoroughly enjoyed the workshop, praising both the presentation and the delicious samples. The 90-minute session was very well received and appreciated by the community.

Pictures and Video by Sarita Deshpande

Summary:

Link to pictures:

The event began with many bangs (DHOL) and ended with many bangs (Fireworks)  The all women's ISW Symphony Dhol Tasha Lezim initiated the festivities and Polar Park resounded with the drum beats for the first time ever.  This captivating folk rhythm showcase represented the rich cultural heritage of India and grabed the attention of the crowd with its powerful beats, colorful traditional attire, and synchronized movements. The Dhol Tasha Lezim ensemble is a traditional street-style percussion performance that is commonly seen during festivals and celebrations in India. The thunderous sound of the dhols (barrel drums), the sharp rhythm of the tashas (snare drums), and the dynamic movements of lezim dancers came together to create a high-energy, visually spectacular experience.

The two National Anthem were rendered by the students of ISW School and we are proud of Aadhya Madireddy, Arjun Sahasrabudhe, Arna Majmudar, Ayaan Sahasrabudhe, Diya Nowley, Eera Dixit, Ishan Dixit, Jasmin Grover, Kaavia Nowley, Kris Grover and Vindhya Madireddy.

Dr Satya Mitra was recognized as the Hometown Hero CFP, for for service to their city, and community. Along with his wife Sheema, he founded a charitable foundation, Joy Guru Humanitarian Services, a non-profit, dedicated to supporting the disadvantaged, including those facing poverty and homelessness, along with empowering women and girls and offering scholarships to needy students. He has been recognized with various honors and accolades for his sincere community service and philanthropy. He received the prestigious Key to the City of Worcester from the Mayor and is included in the Worcester Business Journal Hall of Fame, Power 100 in Central Massachusetts, Hometown Hero by Worcester Magazine, Harvey Ball Smiley Award by the Museum of Worcester, Advocate of the Year award by Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce, Community Kindness Award by 365Z organization and was awarded twice as the Rotarian of the year.

 As part of the Color Guard, the following individuals were chosen.
Ruchi Chauhan plays a key role in the ISW, particularly in the realm of education and cultural programs for the ISW school and language programs. Her leadership as School Chair and her contributions as a Hindi teacher have been recognized by the community Her inclusive nature has held a team of more than 35 volunteer teachers, that run the weekend lang school She has worked at Beal School as a school teacher and currently runs the Kumon Center in Worcester, Ma

Puneet Kohli, past President and Vice President of ISW for the last 8 years, has guided ISW with a steady hand with support of innovative programming and doubling of the building footprint of India Center, in order to meet the increasing numbers of Indian Community in the surrounding area. His vision for Expanded India Center is to become a year-round community asset, open to all. He encouraged community members to utilize these resources and help create a vibrant center and his leadership helps facilitate this volunteer-driven model.

Ceremonial First Pitch: Pitching the first ball, Rajiv Dayal has been a dedicated volunteer for over 20 years, serving as Treasurer and President in the past.He oversaw the expansion of the India Center in Shrewsbury and is currently the Chair of the ISW's Governance Committee. His other community work includes holding leadership positions with the Mohegan Council, Inc. (Worcester Council of the Boy Scouts of America As a partner at Cohen Cohen & Company, a public accounting firm in Boston, MA, his experience in auditing, business consulting, and tax services has been the bedrock of ISW's strength and continued success.

Celebrates a special individual on the field: Ragini Seth has been an active and dedicated member of the India Society of Worcester for over twenty years, She initiated the partnership with Celtics in 2010 and has continues her ties with ISW Though currently living in Sugarland Texas, she still teaches online Hindi for ISW School

Shiamin Melville started as a ISW School parent, and ran the ISW School from 2006 to , and continues the work in developing programs for ISW University.  Has served as Chair of ISW Gala and ISW Nominations Committee her focus is building partnerships with New England Botanical Garden and Woo Sox annual cultural events. 

ISW was recognized as the Heart of Worcester, for their work in the community. The broadcast by  Balki Chandrakasan during the 4th inning at Radio Room captured the many new events and programs happening at India Center at 152 Main Street, in Shrewsbury, MA since 1962

Tanvi Reddy, student of Bhuvana Ganesh sang 'Take me out to the Ball Game' beautifully on top of the dugout during the seventh inning   She also helped train the ISW School kids for the national Anthem

Patrons also enjoyed Indian street food at A Taste of Worcester section catered by 'Namaste Woo'  

It all ended with beautiful fireworks sponsored by Unibank  Thank you to all who came and thanks to Woo Sox for their Partnership

Announcement:  Woo Sox is again partnering with ISW to celebrate Indian Heritage Night at Woo Sox Polar Park

This event is a celebration of Indian culture, community, and contributions — and a moment of pride as several members of our ISW family will be honored during the pregame ceremonies from 6:00 PM to 6:45 PM.

ISW Honorees and Participants:

• Hometown Hero CFP – Dr. Satya Mitra
  Honoring an individual for extraordinary service to their town, city, or community.

• Ceremonial First Pitch – Rajiv Dayal
  Kicking off the game in true ISW spirit.

• Specialty Recognition – Ragini Seth & Shiamin Melville
  Celebrating two individuals who have made lasting cultural contributions to ISW and the broader community.

• Game Ball to the Mound – TBD (ISW School Student)
  A young ISW student (under age 12) will deliver the ceremonial ball to the pitcher’s mound.

• Play Ball! Ceremony – TBD (ISW School Student)
  Student will end the pregame program with the classic “Play Ball!” shout.

• On-Field Performance – ISW Dhol Team
  A 10-minute performance showcasing the energy and rhythm of our heritage.

• Color Guard:  Ruchi Chauhan/Puneet Kohli 

To carry Indian flag /USA Flag

• Performance of  Indian and American National Anthem-ISW School

We invite all ISW families and friends to join us for this memorable night. Show your support, enjoy the festivities, and cheer on our honorees.

 Purchase Tickets Here:

ISW & Woo Sox 2025 Indian Heritage Night 

 https://iswonline.org/event-6151348

Shrewsbury, MA — On Saturday, May 31, 2025, the India Center in Shrewsbury was the site of a heartwarming community gathering as members of the India Society of Worcester (ISW), along with Rajesh and Kavita Dharampuriya and family, celebrated the grand inauguration of a beautifully constructed gazebo.

Despite the morning’s rain, the skies cleared just in time for the 10:00 AM ribbon-cutting ceremony that officially opened the gazebo for public use.  The gazebo, generously donated by the Dharampuriya family, now stands in the recreation area of the India Center, which also features pickleball court, a children’s playground, and a mural by artist Suchitra Shinde. The structure, thoughtfully designed as a space for connection, reflection, and celebration, stands as a testament to the family’s commitment to fostering togetherness and cultural unity. Rajesh Dharampuriya shared gratitude to everyone who joined the occasion and expressed hope that the gazebo would become a vibrant space for generations to come.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Ashish Cowlagi, former President of ISW, noted, “Our ISW sports team has over 500 active members who enjoy the India Center’s growing recreation facilities. This gazebo is a wonderful addition that enhances our ability to bring people together for events, relaxation, and shared moments.”

Immediately following the inauguration, gazebo’s first official event was a Havan ceremony organized by the ISW Religious Committee to bless and honor newly graduated students—a meaningful start to the structure’s intended purpose as a space for community celebration and reflection.

Guests enjoyed light refreshments following the ceremony. ISW President Prof. Jagan Srinivasan thanked all attendees and volunteers, expressing heartfelt appreciation for the collective effort to make the event a memorable success.

A special thank you goes to Carolyn Passey, Usha Verma, and Geena Virmani for their valuable support in helping bring this celebration to life.

For more information, visit https://www.iswonline.org/

- Suchitra Shinde