We are thrilled to share some exciting news ! At just 14 years old, Yuvaan Desai, a resident of Southborough has made a significant mark in the sport Taekwondo world by traveling and competing in 3 major competitions in the month of July. 1st, Yuvaan competed in the AAU National Championships where he secured a bronze medal after fighting some of the best 12-14 year old athletes in the country as well as Canada and Puerto Rico. 2nd, On the international taekwondo stage he again won a bronze medal at the Pan American Championships in Querétaro, Mexico, where he proudly represented the USA. His impressive journey through the competition saw him overcome strong national team members from both Costa Rica and Cuba, underscoring his talent and dedication. 3rd, A day later, he flew back stateside to fight to try and secure a spot on the AAU Taekwondo National Team where he came in second and won a spot as an alternate. Yuvaan's love for taekwondo began at the tender age of five. Over the years, his commitment and passion for the sport have been unwavering, culminating in this remarkable achievement on the grand stage of the PATU Championships at only 14 years old. In his bout against a Costa Rican National Team Member, Yuvaan demonstrated his tactical skill, agility, and confidence securing a decisive win. This victory propelled him into a challenging match against a formidable Cuban team member. Undeterred by the pressure and fighting through a hamstring injury, Yuvaan's precision and perseverance shone through, earning him another triumph and ultimately the bronze medal. Yuvaan’s achievement is even more impressive when considering the grueling daily training sessions he endured. After attending a full day at school, Yuvaan dedicated himself to six-hour long training sessions, demonstrating an extraordinary level of commitment and passion. We would also like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Yuvaan’s masters, Grandmaster Jonghyun Yi and Master Errol Bowes, at Evolution Martial Arts in Westborough. Their guidance, experience, expert training, and support have played a crucial role in his success. Yuvaan’s triumph of medaling at all three of these monumental championships is a story of early passion, relentless hard work, and the remarkable spirit of a young athlete determined to make his mark on the global stage. Next goal is to qualify for PanAm Youth Games which is held once every four years! Congratulations, Yuvaan(Yuvi)!

The Shrewsbury Public Library Foundation is hosting author Chris Bohjalian at the Shrewsbury High School Auditorium on Tuesday, October 1st at 7:00 p.m.

Registration is through Eventbrite at the following link.

https://tinyurl.com/SPL-Bohjalian

Distinguished Speaker Series: The Process of Storytelling with Chris Bohjalian

Join number one New York Times bestselling novelist Chris Bohjalian as he talks about his life and work — and why, for instance, he hopes never to write the same book twice. His conversation will focus on novels as diverse as The Flight Attendant and The Sandcastle Girls.

Critically acclaimed novelist Chris Bohjalian uses his gripping fiction to explore contemporary social issues and how they play out in the lives of ordinary people, as well as to shed light on some of the most important moments in history. His writing delves into such topics as domestic violence, global climate change, gender identity, genocide, adultery, animal rights, adoption, homelessness, mental illness, and human trafficking with equal facility. He is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of some two-dozen books, and his work has been translated into over 35 languages.

Bohjalian graduated from Amherst College and lives in Vermont with his wife, the photographer Victoria Blewer.

For more information about Chris Bohjalian, please visit him on Facebook, Instagram, Goodreads, Twitter, or at chrisbohjalian.com.

This program will take place in the Shrewsbury High School Auditorium; please register to attend:
https://tinyurl.com/SPL-Bohjalian

The Get Charged Up' EV Expo 2024 is coming up soon and  you are cordially invited to attend !

This is a  free community event held during the Fall of each year and it is co-hosted by the Westborough Rotary Club and Sustainable Westborough.  It brings together EV Owners and community members who may be interested in transitioning to Electric Vehicle at their next opportunity.  We presently have a lineup of about 30 EVs for display. Westborough Police Department will have their EVs and Hybrids on display. Some EV owners will offer car-rides to visitors.  3 Car Dealerships will display EV models and/or distribute information about their models. Government agencies and non-profits such as the IRS, DOER and others will have stalls with representatives distributing information such as Tax Rebates, EV charging, etc. The event will be covered by Westborough TV.

The schedule and venue for the event are as follows:

Event:       4th Annual Get Charged Up' EV Expo

Date:        Sunday, September 29th, (Rain date: Sunday, October 6th)

Venue:    Parking Lot, Amazon Robotics, 50 Otis Street, Westborough MA, 01581

Time:      2:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Registration is still open at the following link for EV Owners who would like to display their vehicles: 

https://driveelectricweek.org/event?eventid=4399

Also we have several openings for volunteers who are interested in participating in the event. Slots are available to sign up at the following link:

 https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0E4DA4AB2AA2FE3-51053583-event#/

For inquiries, please send your emails to any of the following:

Jeff Levine   (jefflevine123@gmail.com) (Committee Chair, Get Charged Up EV Expo 2024)

Ben Bowers (bbowers@westboroughma.gov) (Sustainability Coordinator, Town of Westborough)

Sharad Mehta (smehta01581@gmail.com) (Vice President, Westborough Rotary Club)

Exibitor Flyer for Social Media .png

The Hanover Theatre is holding Youth Auditions for "A Christmas Carol" on Sunday, September 8, by appointment from 12:30-5:30 PM. This year, the production will once again spotlight a Cratchit Family of Hindu faith.

Please visit here for more information.

https://thehanovertheatre.org/a-christmas-carol-2024-auditions

Mahesh Reshamwala, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, friend, and community leader, passed away on August 23 at the age of 80, succumbing to cancer. He peacefully left this world with a sound mind and was surrounded by his dear wife, Ketki, and cherished sons, Nilesh and Chetak.

Mahesh arrived in America in 1968 to complete his education in Electrical Engineering. He married Ketki in 1972, soon after which they made Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, their home. Mahesh was an engineer for several leading technology companies, including Data General, Stratus Technologies, and Artesyn Technologies, specializing in computer hardware design and quality control.

Mahesh was a pillar to many communities. Both Nilesh and Chetak grew up in Shrewsbury and were products of its public school system before pursuing their own passions at MIT. Mahesh was actively involved in continuously improving Shrewsbury’s school system and infrastructure, volunteering with Ketki to promote and advance Indian language-learning and culture, and helping out with his sons’ many extracurricular activities.

Upon retiring, Mahesh devoted his time and empathy to senior members in the local community. He leveraged his meticulous understanding of our tax and health care systems to prepare others for a worry-free retirement. His service to Shrewsbury’s Senior Center and Council on Aging was among many reasons why he earned the distinction of the Spirit of Shrewsbury’s Grand Marshal in 2015.

Mahesh also positively impacted many other lives at the India Society of Worcester, his second home and “happy place,” where he most recently shared a love for Bridge, dhol, and young-at-heart seniors.

Mahesh is survived by his wife Ketki, brother Dipak, sons Nilesh and Chetak, daughter-in-law Amy, and grandchildren Sejal and Nikhil. We will remember Mahesh for his devotion to his family, his passion for education and development, his love for food and sharing it with others, and his joy of playing cards.

If you are able, please join us for a celebration of his life before we usher him into the next phase of his soul’s journey.

Memorial Service

Date: Wednesday, August 28, 2024

Time: 9:45 am – 11:30 am

Location: India Center, 152 Main Street, Shrewsbury, MA

Private cremation services will follow for family members.

In lieu of flowers, the Reshamwala family requests that donations be made in memory of Mahesh to one of these great organizations:

• India Society of Worcester
• Indian Circle for Caring USA
• Cancer Research Institute

On Friday Sep 13, 6:30 pm, a unique historical musical of The Jallianwala Bagh Story (Khooni Vaisakhi) by Indian Arts Boston will be presented at Merriam Elementary School in Acton.

Please buy your tickets for the Khooni Vaisakhi event on September 13 at indianartsboston.org

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Harmeet Singh 978.621.7711
Pravin Misra 978.726.4095
Chitro Neogy 508.740.7847

Indian Arts Boston is a 501 (c)(3) certified charitable organization promoting South Asian arts in North America.

Nanak Singh’s “Khooni Vaisakhi” is a poignant and powerful ballad that captures the horror and tragedy of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre on April 13, 1919. Singh, who was present during the massacre, survived and later penned this poem to commemorate the event and its victims.

The book is a scathing critique of the British colonial government, vividly describing the brutality of the massacre where hundreds of unarmed civilians were killed by British troops under General Dyer’s command. Singh’s verses convey the despair, pain, and helplessness of the victims, as well as the broader impact on the Indian independence movement.

Initially banned by the British authorities due to its critical content, “Khooni Vaisakhi” was later rediscovered 70 years later and translated into English by Singh’s grandson, Ambassador Navdeep Singh. The poem remains a significant literary work, reflecting the resilience and spirit of those who fought for India’s freedom.

Harpreet’s musical interpretation of “Khooni Vaisakhi” will surely bring a new dimension to Nanak Singh’s powerful words. It’s wonderful to see such artistic expressions keeping the memory and significance of historical events alive. The songs are in soulful Punjabi and all narration will be in English. Afterwards, there will be a Q&A with Ambassador Suri. The show has been performed in India and Europe, and will be staged for the first time in North America to rekindle conversations and emotions that must never be forgotten.

जिन्हें नाज़ है हिन्द पर वो कहां हैं 

By Dr Kirti Nagpal

India our motherland  has been in the world news for all the wrong reasons The most recent incident of violence against women has highlighted the broken social and legal framework that plagues the nation.

The most recent data From National Crime reports Bureau in India disclosed a shocking 4,45,256 cases of crime against women in 2022, which means approximately 51 FIRs every hour. The worst part is that this staggering number is just the tip of the iceberg. Of all the violent crimes against women India only about 30% are reported.

On 9 August 2024, Moumita Debnath, a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata, West Bengal, India, was violated and brutally strangled to death . The investigation is still under way . 

ThIs incident has amplified debate about the safety of women in India, and has sparked significant outrage and nationwide protests

Despite progress in many areas of gender equality, these crimes continue to impact women worldwide, leaving devastating physical, emotional, and psychological scars. Addressing this issue requires a multifaceted approach that combines awareness, education, legal reforms, and community support.

We as a society owe it to our children and future generations to stand up in solidarity and come together to fight for justice. We have to make amends and punish the perpetrators. Justice has to prevail.

Legal system has to strengthened. There has to be some accountability.

We have to unite together and work towards a better society . The men and boys are crucial allies in this fight. Engaging them in discussions about gender equality and respectful behavior can help challenge and change harmful attitudes. Initiatives that involve men and boys in promoting positive masculinity and respect for women can contribute to a cultural shift away from violence.

The registration process for our next cohort, which will launch on September 12, 2024, is open. We have 7 applicants and space for 7 more.

Please  apply before the September 3rd, 2024 deadline. For more information please contact Andy Goldberg at (617)-953-0954 or andrewgoldberg@elevasian.org 

--submitted by Ashish Cowlagi, member of New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill,  Community Advisory Committee.  Visit nebg.org for details

Gnomevember due August 9, 2024 Stipend $350

Horticultural Heroes, due August 23, 2024 Stipend $600

Vison-Aid presents "The Dancer's Pledge" a Broadway style musical on Sunday July 21st 2024 at 4 PM at Littleton High School, Littleton, MA

Vision-Aid Early Bird Tickets at www.VisionAid.org/event