by Arushi Bhatnagar

Arushi is a  Clinical Research Coordinator with Massachusetts General Hospital, and she is focused on better understanding why South Asians have elevated risk of heart disease.   Look for an opportunity to meet her  team and learn more at many of our programs  coming up. 

Did you know that South Asians are at an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease ?

South Asians are at an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease (2-4x more compared to the general population), but research to explain this disparity is limited in size and diversity. Much of the research that exists attributes the increased risk to lifestyle and diet. However, healthy, younger South Asians are being diagnosed with diabetes and hypertension at much earlier ages – this gives us reason to suspect that there is a genetic basis to the problem.

The OurHealth study is led by cardiologists and genetic researchers at the Massachusetts General Hospital, Stanford, the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, and Yale who are dedicated to discovering the underlying lifestyle and genetic factors for cardiovascular disease risk in South Asian populations.

Participation in the study involves completion of a few online surveys that detail your personal health history, family health history, and lifestyle. Upon completion of these surveys, you’ll be asked to submit a saliva sample for genetic sequencing. Your data will always be protected and secure in accordance with Institutional Review Board-approved guidelines.

To learn more about the study or become a participant, please visit www.ourhealthstudy.org. If you have any questions, please feel free to email ourhealthstudy@mgb.org or call 617-724-1240.

OurHealth will be at upcoming ISW Programs - including the DIwali Cultural program. 

- By Rajesh Khare

Worcester, MA - On November 3, 2024, history was made at the Diwali celebration co-organized by the Worcester Art Museum and the India Society of Worcester (ISW). For the first time in the United States, an all-women Dhol Tasha group from the ISW Symphony performed, adding a powerful new dimension to the traditional art form. Known for its high-energy beats and colorful displays, the performance captivated an enthusiastic audience, and many attendees joined in to dance.

The ISW Symphony team, dedicated to preserving and promoting the folk music of India, took its commitment to a new level by forming an all-women Dhol Tasha team. For many, it was a statement of unity and empowerment.

“For the past two years, we’ve dreamed of forming an all-women Dhol Tasha team, believing deeply in women’s power to make this vision a reality,” said Sarita Deshpande, chair of the ISW Symphony initiative. “With an incredible mix of little girls, young women, and mothers, the performance truly celebrated strength and unity. I proudly say, ‘Her Rhythm, Her Voice! Jai Ho!’”

Anjali Kinhikar, who had previously performed with Lezim but took on the Dhol for the first time, was thrilled by the experience. “Teamwork makes the dream work!” she said, highlighting the dedication and collaboration that made the performance possible.

Sonia Gera, a performer skilled in both Dhol and Tasha, captured the group’s spirit with her words: “एकच नशा, ढोल ताशा!” ("Only one passion, Dhol Tasha!") - reflecting the excitement and pride felt by the team.

Prasanna Pawar, one of the Dhol leads, expressed about her connection to the tradition: “Dhol Tasha Lezim is a cherished tradition from Maharashtra, and playing the Dhol has long been on my personal bucket list. I finally had the chance to pursue this passion here in the United States, and it has since become a part of my identity. After each performance, it feels phenomenal. This was our first performance as an all-women’s Dhol Tasha team - a truly unforgettable experience.”

The Worcester Art Museum’s Diwali event, co-hosted with ISW, offered the perfect setting for this historic debut, drawing about 1400 of attendees eager to experience Indian art, dance, and culture. The success of the all-women Dhol Tasha group underscored ISW’s contributions to the cultural landscape of New England.

Rajesh Khare, one of the organizers of the ISW Symphony Dhol Tasha Lezim, emphasized the group’s inclusive approach. “Our Dhol Tasha Lezim group welcomes everyone - men, women, all ages, and people from diverse backgrounds,” he shared. “We believe in building a community where all are welcome to join in celebrating and preserving this rich cultural tradition.”

This pioneering all-women performance will likely inspire similar groups across the nation, offering a new chapter in the legacy of Dhol Tasha.

Tasha: Sarita Deshpande, Sonia Gera, Veena Dindore

Dhol: Aishwarya Mungarwadi, Anjali Kinhikar, Arya Mulay, Manjiri Patil, Meenakshi Vaze, Prasanna Pawar, Shatatara Lathkar, Yogini Lathkar

Zhanj: Priya Vaidya, Vishakha Khamankar

Tol: Sakshi Gurao

Backstage Support: Abhijit Kaulgud, Ashok Kale, Rajesh Khare, Ranjit Mulay, Sanket Gurao

ISW's Free Health Stop will be closed on Wednesday 11/27 in observance of thanksgiving.  

We wish all our volunteer clinicians a relaxing holiday with their families. 

--Submitted by Pooja Srivastav

We are thrilled to share that our recent ISWU Heartfulness meditation workshop was a wonderful success, filled with warmth, connection, and the spirit of the seasons. Around 80 participants joined in, dressed in beautiful traditional attire, bringing vibrant energy and joy to the celebration.

Our community gathered from various states, including Nashua, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, Massachusetts creating a rich tapestry of cultures and traditions. 

Throughout the day, we engaged in meaningful activities that fostered both spiritual growth and light-hearted fun. We began with a peaceful group meditation session, allowing everyone to center and reconnect. Youngsters brought an infectious energy, fully participating and adding a joyful spark to the gathering.

The event was also a fantastic opportunity to bond through games. Inspiring readings and videos from Master deepened our connection to Heartfulness, and many participants were able to receive personal 1-1 sittings with a trainer.

We closed the event on a serene note with a peaceful group meditation, leaving everyone feeling calm, rejuvenated, and connected.

We’re grateful for everyone’s enthusiastic participation and for the host’s generous hospitality. This gathering truly captured the spirit of Heartfulness, reminding us of the power of community and shared purpose. We look forward to more such gatherings, strengthening our bonds and creating lasting memories.

Thank you to all who made this event so memorable!

Synopsis Humrahi 10/26/24

----submitted by Kirti Nagpal

We had a very informative session on Oct 26th, 2024. We were very fortunate to have Ms Daxa Patel the CEO of American Health care AFC and Ms Chakshu Sethi come to India center. They gave us all an insight in all the services that are available under the Adult foster care Initiative in State of Massachusetts.

It was a very productive session especially for the seniors and their caregivers in the community. Under this program the seniors are eligible to have an assigned registered nurse and a social worker to help with their specific needs. The caregivers would also be eligible for financial remuneration to help the seniors with their personal care, transportation and companionship.

If anyone is interested in reaching out to them, their tell number is 888 686 9010.

After this we have dived into getting answers for one of the Eternal questions ever - How to decide the Medicare Advantage plan and what are the alphabets A, B, C and D when it comes to Medicare.

Mr. Narayan Sharma from Eternal Health came to our rescue with a very elaborate and easy to understand session about Medicare Advantage Plans. We were able to get a lot of valuable information as to what details and criterion to look into before deciding and signing up for Medicare B and C.

Mr. Sharma was very kind and patient and answered all the relevant questions from the audience. We feel a little comfortable about navigating through this alphabetic maze when it comes to health insurance.

This session was followed by a networking and socializing session over Masala chai and delicious crispy samosas.

Our final session of the Humrahi program was our fancy-dress competition celebrating Halloween. We had Manisha Kamerkar dressed in a cute cat outfit, Sandhya ji was our powerful and dynamic Indira Gandhi, Mohan and Raj Nagpal tried to capture the essence of romantic onscreen couple Raj Kapoor and Nargis and Kirti was dressed in Japanese outfit. We had Jashu ji in a kimono and Pravin Bhai in a Thawb. It was very heartwarming when Pravin ji came to the stage and spoke about his past experience in Middle east. Mala Sharma was our beautiful bubbly butterfly. Hasumati ji was in a cowboy outfit. The grand Finale was our talented Sharat Bhai dressed up as the dashing Khalnayak.

The Audience thoroughly enjoyed the whole program which was a great mix of learning information and fun.

Would like to thank all the humrahians who attended . With this session of Humrahi we were able to follow one of the popular Mantras in life - Get up, dress up and Show up

Story of my first custom tailored Suit - Part 1

----Submitted by Dilip Bhavsar

Mr. Dilip Bhavsar is a long-time volunteer for ISW. Among his many contributions, he was the first webmaster for ISW's original website.  In this entertaining piece - he writes a story that many of us can relate to - the tailoring of his first suit. 

Year was 1975. It was little over one year since graduating from Kharagpur and beginning work at Larsen and Toubro. Plans for the most significant event of my life were already in motion. Wedding date was settled, Wedding Hall was booked. Reverend Priest already appointed and committed. Parents, immediate uncles and aunts on both bride and groom sides had their hands full with myriads of pre-wedding activities. They all were having time of their life. Afterall it was the wedding of first new generation kids on both sides.

Unlike weddings of today where bride and groom play active role in planning and orchestrating own wedding event, both of us were largely uninvolved and life was good. Then one fine day I was told that my wedding suit will be coming from my in-laws, and it will be the choice of my would-be better half. And we must hurry. Wedding date in December was hardly a month away. Thus began the project “Dilip’s Wedding Suit” on priority.

Project was kicked off with the quest for suitable fabric for suit. The thought of ready-made suit did not even cross our minds. All my trousers and shirts to-date were custom-tailored. The ready-made garment industry was non-existent or in infancy. Raymonds ready-made dress pants perhaps may have just surfaced. However, ready-made suits were not heard of.

Crawford market was recommended for fabric shopping. We were not disappointed. We found a whole street full of shops selling fabric for suiting. All shops were popular as they were all bursting and overflowing with crowds of shoppers. It certainly confirmed that we were amid the high wedding-season.

We pushed our way into one of the shops. It was just a tad easier than pushing us on board the local train at Bandra station earlier on the way to shopping. Subtracting out the crowd, we could feel that we were surrounded by walls of nicely stacked bolts of suiting material. These so-called bolts are funny. They are neither round nor threaded. They are square frames around which fabric yarn is rolled for storage , transportation, and display before retail sale.

There were wools, terylenes, silks, cottons, their blends, and cross-blends, all in hundreds of colors, shades patterns and textures. We felt good that we may not have to go anywhere else.

Inching forward through layers of shoppers we eventually managed to wedge ourselves in front of the sales-display counter. At the counter we were greeted by a cheerful vista of fabric peeking from their overlapping partially opened bolts. All very inviting. All free to caress to heart’s content. All beautiful and desired. “But I can have only one! “

A familiar shiver pass through me. Have I not been in this situation before? Saint Shammi Kapur’s lines “Jawaniya Ye Must Must Bin Piye . . . Na Janu Inme Kiske Vaste Hu Mein Na Jaane Inme Haun Hai Mere Liye” sang in my ears again.

We were waiting for attention. There were many salespeople serving several customers simultaneously. Just then the magic happened. My would-be better half had eye contact with one of them. Magic of her eyes it was. He at once got drawn to us. He looked at us and seemed to calculate something in his mind. He reached out to the wall and pulled out the first bolt of fabric and spread it open for us. Then the second and then the third. Just as he pulled the fourth one and as the bolt made its flight to the counter our eyes glittered. It was “love at first sight.” Love turned into commitment as soon as we had a closer look at the fabric’s intricate pattern, and we felt the fabric. A greater excitement awaited us as Ranjana turned fabric inside out. She saw an exquisite display of deep brown, dark green and dull yellow colors in diffused clouds of patterns that appeared as if dancing in harmony in subdued store light.

“Dilip, you must use this side.”

Salesman estimated required material for 3-piece suit together with usual allowance for tailor’s comfort. . Then came the ultimate performance in fabric buying experience. Flap…flap...flap. He pulled the required length of fabric from the bolt. He placed scissors in big open “V” configuration at one end of the bolt. Within blink of an eye, Zzzzzz …he sailed scissors across the bolt. A perfect cut, without ruler, without T-square!

With fabric in hand, Phase two of “Wedding Suit” project began with search for a reputed tailor. My old tailor “Shasco” in Andheri Shopping Center had done my shirts and pants for many years. But he was disqualified unjustly as tailor for my wedding suit must be from “high fashion area.” Lord’s Tailor on SV Road in Santa Cruz was selected. It beats me today what made Santa Cruz more fashionable than Andheri.

A visit was paid to Lord’s. Mr. Lord, I no longer recall his real name, but his entire image is in my eyes. Rectangular face, short hair, dark brown frame eyeglasses, off white bush-shirt, an unfolded tailor’s measuring tape hanging almost symmetrically from around neck.

He measured me up variously. He measured me around my neck and shoulder, around chest, around waist, and around my butt too. He also measured me several places north to south. Then he asked ,

“Bottom ?”

This question may intrigue many today, including our children, and grandchildren. Bell Bottom pants were in fashion. I do not recall who set the trend and whether it was just Mumbai, just India or all over the world. If your pant did not have sharply creased enormous bottom, you felt old and out of place.

“32 inch.” My would be had already responded on my behalf.

With my vitals recorded and bottom specified, Mr. Lord turned to the fabric and measured it long and wide and remarked,

“Chalega.”

The word brought sigh of relief. It confirmed that Dilip would fit in the fabric.

As we were wrapping up, we made sure that Mr. Lord made a special note that suit is to be stitched using the reverse side of the fabric and reminded again about the bottom.

Those were the luxurious days when custom-tailoring was taken to perfection. We were asked to return for trial one week after on a Saturday.

Designated Saturday arrived. (To be continued)

On October 4th and 5th 2024, we had two nights of Garba and Raas at our India Center. Our center was bustling with activities even days prior, as we had a "Garba Workshop" open to the public for the first time, for free, where around 45-50 people attended and learned to play the traditional dance form of Navratri garba and dandiya. Cultural Committee volunteers made sure to teach and prepare attendees for the upcoming weekend of fun.

Our India Center was transformed and decorated to welcome 400+ guests each night, where they played in our new hall and also outdoors on the patio. We sold out days before, reaching our maximum capacity! The old hall was filled with people enjoying delicious food and buying jewelry, as well as experiencing the new 360 photo booth!

Friday night, we had our very own Jhankaar Beats singers jamming with a specially invited live band all the way from New Jersey. They made everyone dance to their melodious singing and music, be it traditional Gujarati folk songs to hindi numbers to the crowd favorite Sannedo!! Javed bhai set up the perfect audio system indoors and outdoors on our beautifully lit and decorated patio. A highlight for the night was the crowd dancing to a very famous dhol player, who is known for performing non-stop for hours at a time!

Saturday night DJ SIDD was in the house! He made sure to keep everyone on their feet the entire evening, until midnight! We even got to see the younger generation experience the tradition with full enthusiasm. The cherry on top was the weather being just perfect in order to be outdoors sweating it out dancing to non stop rhythmic beats

On both nights, a traditional aarti was performed with lots of delicious prasad offered to Devi Ma, a great opportunity for the community to come together and pray. We were fortunate enough to have many people complimenting throughout the event and wanting more! Our volunteers at ISW worked very hard as always in front and behind the scenes. 

ISW would like to thank all of our volunteers for helping us organize such an amazing weekend packed with garba, dandiya, great food, beautiful vendors, and an enthusiastic crowd! We would also like to thank our community at large, for coming to celebrate with us.

May Ma Durga bless us all to come together again next year with more energy and an even bigger event!

For pictures,  visit:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.550119874337198&type=3

- By Komal Tanna

ISW & Saheli Walk at Lake Street Park, Shrewsbury

We had 26 people meet last week on October 5, in solidarity for this crucial cause. Participants had the opportunity to walk in purple to show their support and learn about available resources.

Join us in making a difference and amplifying the voices of those affected by domestic violence. Together, we can create a safer, more supportive community for everyone.

Saheli - deepali@saheliboston.org
ISW - smitam.isw@gmail.com
amitarao.isw@gmail.com

Saheli, a nonprofit organization from Woburn MA dedicated to empowering South Asian and Arab-speaking women and children to lead safe and healthy lives, is proud to collaborate with the India Society of Worcester (ISW) for a Domestic Violence Awareness Walk. ISW's mission to preserve, promote, and celebrate India's rich cultural heritage—including its diverse arts, languages, and religious traditions—aligns with shared goals of fostering community engagement and taking a stand against domestic violence.

The ISW Free Health Stop is cancelled for Wednesday Oct 9 in Observance of Durga Puja.

Other Worcester Free clinics are open on other days that week - in case anyone is not able to wait till the following Wednesday https://www.worcesterfreecare.org/home.

--submitted by Ekta Jain

In recognition of our ongoing partnership and support, the India Society of Worcester (ISW) was honored with an invitation to the Boston Celtics' annual Group Leader Appreciation event on August 17, 2024. Held at the exclusive Auerbach Center, the Celtics' practice facility, the event provided a unique opportunity to tour the state-of-the-art facility. Ekta described the experience as invigorating, noting, “Touring the facility where world basketball champions practice was incredible." 

Earlier this year, on March 18, 2024, Ekta Dance Academy, in collaboration with ISW, performed during the Celtics-Detroit game at TD Garden. The performance, featuring her  45 students  captivated an audience of over 19,000 with their enchanting Indian and Bollywood dance routines.