On August 28, 2024, the Professionals and Entrepreneurs Network (PEN) at ISW hosted the inaugural meeting of its CEO and Business Owners Group, initiated by Kelly Mittal, Ragoo Raghunathan, and Raj Melville. This gathering brought together a diverse group of around 10 entrepreneurs, ranging from those who had launched their businesses within the past year to seasoned business owners with decades of experience. The first session focused on introductions and a deep dive into marketing strategies, where members engaged in a collaborative activity to discuss and evaluate the effectiveness of various marketing approaches across different industries. The meeting concluded on an optimistic note, with participants brimming with ideas for future sessions and group expansion. The networking continued beyond the meeting, with members eagerly exchanging thoughts and connections even as they left the venue.

Please feel free to share the form below with anyone who might benefit from joining this group - https://forms.gle/Y3hjHRgT3GDA4EaV6

We addressed two critical and relevant issues at our Humrahi session on 8/24/24.

First half of the session was a talk by Dr Manjul Shukla about how to prevent falls . The magnitude of this topic is evident by the fact that -Approximately one in four older adults fall each year in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Fall related injuries cost more than $50 billion annually, including hospitalizations, treatments, and long-term care.

Dr Shukla explained at length all the different ways we can reduce the risk of falls and improve safety for elderly individuals.

Preventing falls in the elderly involves a combination of home modifications, physical exercise, and medical care.

It was an interactive session with the audience being actively involved .All their queries related to the topic were clarified and resolved in depth by Dr Shukla .

Second topic of the day was cardiopulmonary resuscitation for a non health care provider .It was conducted by Kirti Nagpal.

As a bystander there may be a situation where one needs to take control and save someone’s life .Learnig CPR is a life skill .

Research indicates that COCPR compression only CPR can be as effective as traditional CPR with breaths, particularly for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

We had everybody practice compressions on a manikin. The deal was to get an idea of the depth and the speed of the chest compressions to be effective for resuscitation.

We also practiced the use of an AED for a witnessed collapse. A defibrillator can be a crucial asset for improving the survival rate secondary to a cardiac arrest .AED can analyze the heart's rhythm and, if necessary, deliver an electrical shock, or defibrillation, to help the heart re-establish an effective rhythm .

Dr Passey was there the whole time helping our Humrahi members get comfortable in using the AED.

The session ended with most of the members feeling comfortable and empowered . The CPR and AED are two simple but very effective tools that can have a significant impact on the outcome for a patient . It is literally a matter of life and death.

It was followed by our socialization session of Gupshup over tea and samosa and the Karoake session.

We had a few new attendees for the Manoranjan Karoake program.

There were some powerful rendition of Bollywood songs presented by our talented singers including our new Humrahi member Mr Nirmaljit Singh Ji.

Would like to extend my thanks and express my gratitude for all the Humrahi members who attended the program and to Dr Passey for bringing the AED and the Manikins and helping through the review session.

While putting together the brochure for ISW Gala 2024, the team sought input from our awesome event organizers to share a list of organizations in our community we have partnered with, since 2020.  The list was mind boggling, kudos to our team, and its still growing

American Tamil Academy, North Carolina
Asian Business Empowerment Council
Asian Community Fund
Boston Vaadhya Kala Sangham (Chenda Melam)
Cancer Shakti Foundation
Celtics
DesisAroundRockyHillCT (Connecticut)
Faneuil Hall Marketplace
ElevAsian
Gujarati (Navnit Publication Ahmedabad)
Hindi USA, New Jersey
IIT Agne
Indian Medical Association of New England
India Association of Greater Boston (IAGB)
Kannada Academy, California
Learnquest Academy of Music
Music Worcester
Natick Multicultural Council
New England Botanic Garden
New England Marathi Mandal
Northborough Multicultural Council
Saheli
Samarthanam.org 
Samskrita Bharati, Maryland
Senior Centers in Northboro, Auburn
Shri Gajanan Maharaj Bhakt Pariwar
Southeast Asian Coalition of Central Massachusett
Spirit of Shrewsbury
Telugu (Lulu Press, NC)
Volunteers for Seniors
Woo Sox
Worcester Art Museum
Worcester Center for Arts and Crafts
Worcester Polytecnic Institute
Worcester Railers Hockey

The India Society of Worcester (ISW) proudly celebrated its 36th annual India Day and its 61st anniversary on August 10, 2024, at the DCU Center in Worcester, Massachusetts. The event was a tremendous success, drawing thousands of attendees and showcasing a vibrant array of cultural and community activities.

This year’s India Day featured a dynamic range of activities, including:

Cultural Performances: The event showcased captivating dance and music performances, celebrating the rich artistic traditions of India.
Business Expo and Job Fair: The event featured a Business Expo and Job Fair offering networking opportunities and career prospects.
Art Fair: An exhibit of traditional and contemporary Indian art.
Vendors Bazaar: Hosted a diverse range of products, including crafts and jewelry.
India Youth Group and Sports Group: Provided engaging activities such as interactive games and chess
The event also featured a health stop for attendees.
Indian Ethnic Food: An extensive selection of authentic Indian cuisine, with popular dishes provided by vendors Bheemas and Peppers.

Notable Firsts:

Business Expo and Job Fair: The event introduced its first-ever Business Expo and Job Fair.
Premier of ISW song: Performed by the ISW Vocal Ensemble, it added an highlight to the celebration.
Sanskrit Skit: For the first time, the ISW School Sanskrit class presented a Sanskrit skit.
Freshly Made Dosas: Attendees enjoyed freshly made live dosas, a popular Indian delicacy, prepared on-site for the first time.

Shiamin Melville, a long-time ISW member since 1996, reflected on the event: “As a long-time veteran attendee of India Day, my favorite part is meeting the families of our volunteers and reconnecting with our alumni volunteers and former school students. For me, it’s like a family gathering combined with a school reunion, mixed in with great dances and food.”

The ISW Symphony Dhol Tasha Lezim (DTL) team reached a significant milestone with its 25th public performance as it participated in the recent India Day 2024 celebrations organized by the India Association of Greater Boston (IAGB). The event took place on Aug 17th at the iconic Hatch Shell Memorial in Boston, a venue renowned for hosting significant cultural gatherings and this was a proud moment for the DTL team. It highlighted the reach and impact of the group, not just within Worcester but across the wider region.

Since its inception in 2021, the DTL team has consistently delivered performances that resonate with the community, performing across various locations from Connecticut to Boston. This group is uniquely diverse, comprising women, children, and senior citizens. This appearance at the IAGB India Day was a strong demonstration of community spirit, engaging the audience with powerful rhythms and coordinated movements.

Sanket Gurao, one of the founding members of the group, added his experience: “The whole atmosphere gave me great vibes, especially being right next to the historic Charles River. Performing in front of such an energetic crowd was exhilarating. The event was very well organized, and the DTL team did an excellent job managing to play a variety of patterns. This experience boosted our confidence and helped us set even more intricate patterns.”

ISW's involvement in IAGB India Day reflects its ongoing commitment to cultural exchange and collaboration within the Indian community in the greater Boston area. The organization regularly partners with various groups in the region to promote Indian heritage and provide a platform for cultural expressions. These partnerships are crucial in continuing to share our cultural heritage and in strengthening ties within the community.

Volunteers:

Tasha: Kaustubh Sahasrabudhe, Manoj Gera, Parag Kunte, Sanket Gurao, Vinay Vyas

Dhol: Ayaan Sahasrabudhe, Arjun Sahasrabudhe, Cyrus Bhada, Meenakshi Vaze, Rajesh Khare, Siddhant Pawnarkar, Sonia Gera

Taal/Flags: Sarita Deshpande, Shamsnaz Bhada

Zhanj: Ashok Kale, Sharat Amin

---Kirti Nagpal

We organized our Annual Humrahi Picnic on 7/27/24.

It was at the Dean park in Shrewsbury .

The weather was “Goldilocks perfect” just the right amount of Sun with a gentle pleasing soft breeze . The Gazebo at the park was nicely decorated with clusters of white and pink balloons interspersed with crepe paper streamers!!! The American and Indian flag with our Humrahi banner was fluttering softly and conveying the message of integrity in diversity!!

We started the day with some introduction and then dived right into playing some group games like passing the parcel ,a modified version of Antakshari .All our senior friends were engaging with full vigor and enthusiasm and exhibited lively and positive spirit when it came to things like “walk like a duck “ or “ do a chicken dance “ as part of the tasks in the game.

Narayan ji and Sharat ji were skillfully managing the music and sound department and helping with the games.

We had an extensive array of delicious snacks and desserts.There was chick pea salad , pasta salad ,Dhokla, sandwiches , poha ,laddoo, brownies and biryani just to name a few . Of all the different culinary delights Sev Usal was by far the most popular choice among the attendees!

The whole atmosphere of fun and play and Masti was quite tangible!!

Everyone enjoyed and savored the sun and fun through the 3hrs we were at the Dean park .

The incredible turn out we had for our picnic is a testament to the growing popularity of our ISW Humrahi clan. We are a family and we are growing . Lots of gratitude to the volunteers that helped with the organization and execution of the plan . And of course heartfelt appreciation for all the people who attended .we look forward to see you all soon

---submitted by Sonia Gera

ISW at the Hot Night in the City event

Worcester Center for Crafts organized their annual Hot Night in the City event on Friday, July 19, 2024. Every year, it celebrates the traditions and processes of art in a fun way with music, dance, and fun. ISW participated in this event where we showcased the rich cultural heritage of India.

Mrs.Carolyn Passey’s beautifully curated artifacts displayed at the booth presented a range of artforms of India and gave the visitors a glimpse of the amazing Indian art and culture. Elegant traditional clothing mounted on mannequins, decorative woodwork and mirror-work handicraft items spoke volumes about the tireless dedication and passion of so many artisans back home. The models of various Indian musical instruments alongside an elegant Taj Mahal plate represented the bountifulness of our art and creativity. Beautiful Barbie dolls in Indian attires fascinated the young girls! The booth was interactive and the visitors seemed impressed by the information presented about the Indian flag, the Taj Mahal, facts about India, and the Indian musical instruments. The handouts included coloring sheets for kids, puzzles, and information about the upcoming India Day at DCU.The volunteers at the booth proudly shared the information about ISW and its active role in bringing the community together through its various handles such as ISW-PEN, Humrahi, IYG, WEW, ISWU, Symphony, etc. 

Breaking down barriers: Mass. is easing citizenship requirements to help immigrant-owned businesses obtain diversity certifications

Kelly Mittal, founder and CEO of myKidzDay, said barriers to access, such as the SDO citizenship requirement, are part of what keep some immigrant entrepreneurs from succeeding in business. Mittal founded myKidzDay in 2012 after her first daughter was born.

By Mica Kanner-Mascoloelly

WBJ Updated: July 22, 2024

The India Society of Worcester is thrilled to announce the celebration of India Day 2024, marking the 61st anniversary of the organization. The festivities will take place on August 10, 2024, from 12 PM to 7 PM at the DCU Center in Worcester, bringing together the community for a day of cultural immersion and celebration.

Who: The India Society of Worcester
What: India Day 2024 - Celebration of 61 Incredible Years
When: August 10, 2024, from 12 PM to 7 PM
Where: DCU Center, Worcester, MA

Theme: "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam - One World One Family."

This year's India Day promises to be a spectacular event, featuring a variety of cultural performances, traditional Indian cuisine, art exhibitions, a business expo, job fair, free health stop, activities for youth, bazaar, and music. India Day at DCU is more than just a cultural celebration; it's also a chance to explore job opportunities, participate in a business expo, showcase your talents, and connect with the community. Attendees will have the opportunity to experience the diverse traditions of India.

Come to enjoy and participate in ISW's remarkable tradition of India Day celebrations, promising a fulfilling day. Calling out all choreographers, vendors, sponsors, and advertisers.

This free event is open to the public, and everyone is invited to join in the festivities.

Contact:
India Society of Worcester: ID24@iswonline.org
For more information, please visit:
https://iswonline.org/event-5704780

India Day 2024 Advt Sponsor Signup Form 

India Day 2024 Vendor Registration Form 

India Day 2024 Choreographer/Cultural Form

 ISW India Day 2024 Career Fair Booth Registration

India Society of Worcester mourns the passing of Dr. Athan  Flessas.  

As a cardiologist, Dr. Flessas  was a long standing volunteer of the ISW Free Health Stop from 2015 to 2022.  

He passed away on June 30th, 2024. His generosity, kindness and irrepressible sense of humor will be missed.  In lieu of flowers, his family requests you consider a donation to the ISW Free health stop. 

Obituary of Dr. Flessas

Donation in memory of Dr Flessas