---submitted by Rajay Goyal

On December 21, 2025, the Indian Society of Worcester (ISW), located in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, hosted an inspiring and transformative program to mark the United Nations–designated World Meditation Day. Coinciding with the winter solstice—the shortest day of the year and a traditional time for introspection—the event offered community members a meaningful opportunity to pause, breathe, and reconnect with their inner selves.

More than fifty participants gathered on a beautiful Sunday afternoon in the ISW community hall. The program featured three thoughtfully curated sessions, each showcasing a distinct meditation tradition and approach. The event was warmly opened by Ms. Shiamin Melville and Mr. Rajay Goyal, who welcomed the speakers and attendees and set the tone for an afternoon of mindfulness and reflection.

The first session was led by Ms. Bharti Bhakta, a longtime ISW member. She introduced participants to the eight limbs of Patanjali Yoga, providing a clear and insightful overview of this ancient framework. The session concluded with guided Pranayama breathing exercises and Soham meditation, helping attendees settle into a calm and centered state. The second session featured Mr. Kavishwar Wagholikar and Mr. Manish Shroff from the Art of Living. They shared updates on recent initiatives, including research on intuition development in children and the positive impact of meditation for children with special needs and ADHD. This informative discussion was followed by the practice of Bhastrika Pranayama and a guided meditation, allowing participants to experience the techniques firsthand. The third and final session was conducted by Mr. Devesh Srivastava from Heartfulness Meditation. He began by introducing Dr. Gladys McGarey’s transformative “Five Ls” framework—Living, Loving, Laughing, Laboring, and Listening—as a guide to a meaningful and stress-free life. He then introduced the principles of Heartfulness Meditation and led the group through a deeply calming meditation practice.

Fifteen-minute breaks between sessions provided time for social interaction, questions, and refreshments, including tea and snacks, fostering a sense of community and shared learning. The program concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks delivered by Ms. Shiamin Melville and Rajay Goyal.

This marked the first time ISW celebrated World Meditation Day, and the enthusiastic response from participants strongly suggests it will become an annual tradition. More than just an event, World Meditation Day at ISW served as a powerful reminder of the role stillness and mindfulness play in nurturing harmony within ourselves and with others. Through inclusive programming and active participation, the ISW community embraced a deeper sense of connection—perfectly timed for the holiday season.

For more info
bhartib127@gmail.com
waghsk@gmail.com
deveshsrivastav@gmail.com
manish_shroffin@yahoo.com

--submitted by Ernst Gulla. Pictures

2025 Christmas Magic Moments at ISW

The 21st Annual India Society of Worcester Christmas celebration was held at the St. Mary's Syrian Orthodox Church Hall / venue on December 6th 2025.Families from various States of India and languages, dressed in Christmas colors in Indian attire, Women in their colorful Saris, Men in cultural garb, kicked off the very first 2025 Christmas season together!

Christmas celebration with the sounds of joyous Christmas Carols sung in various Indian languages rang through the hall and brought the Christmas Spirit. Ms. Rashi Khanna moderated the program and Dr. Stephan Ko , Physician from Mass General Brigham, Prof. of Global Health @BU & former CDC Medical Officer shared the Christmas story & with a personal touch Dr. Jagan Srinivasan, President of ISW along with his wife & daughter cut the first Christmas cake following ISW Christmas tradition & greeted the community.  In the eve of 20 th anniversary of ISW Free Clinic, Dr & Ms. Sahdev Passey , the founders and Pioneers of ISW free Clinic were honored for 1000 Wednesdays of Volunteer services to Families in medical needs.Mr.Balki Ramachandran, VP, ISW, narrated the significant events of ISW in 2025 and challenged people to get involved & encouraged families to Support the ISW

Crisis committee to care for fellow Indians hurting in our neighborhood and to make a difference in the community. Congregational Christmas carols in English were led by Ms. Sharon Sealy along with the Choir leading Telugu special Carols by Mr. Praveen Arupuda group and Hindi and Tamil Carols by Mr. Sudipta Singh with Choir. The ISW voice ensemble bought special carols in English & a Hindi medley with much enthusiasm and that bought the Christmas Joy & children danced to the Songs & Music which was enjoyed by Families was the highlight of 2025 Christmas event.

The appearance of Santa Claus brought Cheer and Joy to the children as they received Christmas presents lovingly donated and wrapped by families. 

Attached is the link of Santa’s pictures for parents to down load for their family memories. ISW thanks many volunteer families that worked hard & shared their love for the community by serving homemade Indian Vegetarian dinner for up to 300 people.

- By Rekha Gupta

The India Society of Worcester (ISW) and the New England Botanic Garden (NEBG) continued their successful partnership for the third year with the vibrant Diwali Lights celebration. The event, held once again at Tower Hill, brought together a wonderful blend of Indian culture, music, food, and community spirit, enchanting visitors of all ages.

"We are fortunate to work with Grace Elton, CEO at NEBG over these past years.  She is forward thinking in forging this equitable partnership with us. Ashish Cowlagi is on their Strategy Committee and Priya Vaidya and myself joined their Board of Trustees. They granted  us their organization membership which enables our ISW members to visit the beautiful garden for free throughout the year, " said Shiamin Melville, longtime ISW Volunteer. (More info on free passes click here)

https://www.iswonline.org/page-18074/13542835

This year’s event was beautifully set against NEBG’s 2025 Night Lights theme, “Dazzling Gardens,” which transformed the garden into a radiant wonderland of light and color. Visitors were treated to spectacular displays that highlighted the magic of nature illuminated by creative light installations, perfectly complementing the festival.

Guests were welcomed with Rangoli by Priya Vaidya, whose intricate designs added a traditional and colorful welcome that set the festive tone for the evening.Carolyn Passey's stunning decorating added an elegant and festive ambiance to the event, with thoughtfully arranged displays that drew many visitors to her Indian cultural display and enhanced the overall celebration.A beautiful Akash Kandil handcrafted by Vijayendra Cowlagi added a warm, festive glow to the celebration.SWU’s  Radhika Chintapalli ‘s chess sessions kept everyone entertained and engaged throughout the evening. Our  volunteers -Jay Pathak, Rohan Goyal, Tara Chintapalli, and Ishan Dixit added wonderful energy to the activity.ISW volunteers  Ashish Cowlagi,Anjali Paranjape, Balki Chandrakashan ,Leena  Das, Sangeeta Punjabi, Beena Krishnan,Suchitra Agarwal, Aarti Cowlagi, Kajal Kaushik Dixit and Vinod Gupta  also played a key role in bringing the celebration to life and showed the strong community spirit behind this annual tradition.I was honored to step in as event Chair in Shiamin Ji’s  absence and truly appreciate her trust in me.It has been an enriching experience for me.

Beautiful performances

The ISW Diwali Night 2025 featured an incredible lineup of talented performers and choreographers, including Suharit Ghosh, Rajesh Pai, Sridevi Thirumalai Ekta Jain, Darshana Jani, Kalaimangai Anbalagan, Bhuvana Ganesh, Mona Mitra, Uma Sridharan and Rajay Goyal,who captivated the audience with their outstanding performances.

The ISW Dhol Tasha team, led by Sanket Gurao, was a true highlight of the event! Their vibrant energy brought everyone together and filled the atmosphere with joy. The team included Abhijeet Kaulgu, Anand Desai, Jayant Thube, Madhu Thube, Manoj Gera, Narayan Sharma, Prasanna Pawar, Raghvendra Cowlagi, Sakshi Gurao, Shirish Joshi, Sonia Gera, Yogini Yogesh Lathkar, Mangesh Shinde, Vaijanthi Joshi, Anjali Kanhikar.

Attendees also enjoyed a delicious selection of Indian cuisine prepared by Gourmet India, at the café at Tower Hill. The event was further enriched by vibrant cultural activities and engaging vendors including Neha Ujjain, Rekha Jain, Gavoury Kumar and Meenakshi Krishnamoorthy, creating a lively atmosphere that delighted visitors.Meghana  is an amazing henna artist. Everyone loved her designs and truly enjoyed the henna art experience.Scavenger hunt for Asian plants was fun and educational, encouraging visitors to explore the garden and learn about the diverse flora in a playful, interactive way.

Special thanks to Cassie  and Bailey from NEBG for making the entire experience seamless. Both embraced the festive spirit by proudly wearing traditional Indian dupattas, adding a beautiful touch of cultural celebration. Grace Elton, NEBG’s CEO, continues to inspire through her leadership and dedication to fostering strong community partnerships that promote nature and culture.

We look forward to continuing the partnership between ISW and NEBG. Together, we will continue sharing the beauty of Indian culture and creating memorable celebrations. 

You can find  event photos shared by volunteers here-

https://photos.app.goo.gl/N4higCZy8iAKq5eF8

Event Recap by Rajay Goyal – 11/22/2025

Celebrating Creativity and Togetherness

The Humrahee monthly meet on November 22, 2025, brought a refreshing twist to our usual gatherings. Embracing a "Free-Format Fun" approach, participants explored their creative sides beyond karaoke. The event featured heartfelt shayari recitations, live musical performances, stand-up comedy, short film skits, and spontaneous dancing, making it a vibrant showcase of talent and camaraderie.

For many attendees, this was a first experience performing live, and the supportive atmosphere encouraged everyone to step out of their comfort zones. The open format allowed music and dance to flow naturally throughout the program, resulting in an engaging and enjoyable evening for all.

Karaoke, Potluck, and New Friendships

The afternoon concluded with our much-loved karaoke session, where everyone sang with enthusiasm and spirit. The celebration continued over a delightful potluck dinner, fostering lively conversations and deeper connections among members. The Young-at-Heart Orchestra and Bridge Clubs also welcomed new members, further strengthening the Humrahee community.

Special Diwali Performance

The festivities didn’t end there. Later in the evening, the Humrahee team showcased their talents at the New England Botanical Garden’s Diwali celebration. Rajay played the violin, accompanied by Haren-ji on tabla and Sharat-ji on percussion, presenting a soulful classical piece in Raga Jaijaivanti. The performance was followed by a graceful Vishnu Stotram dance led by Renuka-ji and three additional artists, offered in devotion to Lord Vishnu.

Conclusion

This month’s Humrahee meet was a resounding success, filled with joy, creativity, and community spirit. The innovative format and memorable performances made it an event to cherish, leaving everyone eagerly anticipating the next gathering.

- By Rajay Goyal

An annual party of ISW bridge club was held in the community hall on Nov 4. About 50 members of ten bridge club and their spouses attended the party.

The party started with five Bollywood melodies played by ISW young at heart orchestra led by violinist Rajay Goyal accompanied by Suresh Patel on guitar , Jawahar Pathak and Renuka Goyal on keyboard, Haren Mehta Bhupen Desai on tabla , Narayan Sharma on Casala and Sharat Amin on percussion. The official party photographer was Mr Adi Chena who is also a gold life member of the American Contract bridge league.

The party was a huge success with a lot of laughter , good food , music and camaraderie

- By Arathi Cowlagi

The India Society of Worcester(ISW) and the Worcester Art Museum(WAM) celebrated the 10th annual Diwali community day, marking a decade of partnership and cultural exchange.

The festivities began with a lamp lighting ceremony led by ISW president, Dr Jagan Srinivasan, our pillars of ISW Dr Sahdev Passey & Carolyn Passey, Kent Russell, the president of the Board of trustees at WAM. This symbolized the spirit of unity and shared community that has defined this event over the years.

The cultural performances were the highlight of the day- vibrant, diverse and of exceptionally high quality. Visitors also enjoyed exploring the many activities around the museum like,

- “Learn about India” table setup by Carolyn Passey & Dr Sahdev Passey

- Engaging in friendly Chess games setup by Radhika Chintapalli

- Kandil lantern display in the Lancaster lobby handmade by Vijayendra & Rekha Cowlagi

- Diwali Storytime by Divya Muthu

- Admiring the beautiful Art Displays created by talented local artists - Susmitha Bando, Avni Chheda, Madhu Thube, Neha Ujlayan, Meenakshi Krishnamoorthy and Shrikant Savant

No celebration would be complete without great food! Visitors enjoyed the flavors of India with delicious dishes catered by Peppers Indian Cuisine of Northborough, artisanal ice cream from Tickett Ice cream and delicious Diwali sweets by Chaitrali’s Kitchen.

This milestone event that welcomed 1100 visitors to the museum, was a joyful reflection of ISW and WAM’s shared commitment to celebrating and sharing culture, coming together of community and creativity. It is indeed wonderful to see so many people from such diverse backgrounds come together to celebrate and enjoy the spirit of Diwali. Here’s to the next decade of light and celebration!

Click here to enjoy these beautiful captures of the event over the years by Troy B.Thompson Photography,

https://www.troybthompson.com/gallery-collection/India-Society-of-Worcester/C0000GY0U9VQqrBw

- By Rashi Khanna

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the ISW Diwali Cultural Show! The afternoon was vibrant and joyful, with performances ranging from Remembering Ramji to Kathak, I Am a Disco Dancer, A Girls’ Trip to Paris, and an All-Boys Singing Act, ending with a grand finale — Step into the Glow of Celebration, a festive ramp dance blending Diwali nights, Navratri beats, and October sparkle!

A big thank you to our choreographers, participants, volunteers, and vendors for making the show unforgettable. Gratitude to Arjun Thube for capturing the beautiful moments, our Bronze Sponsor Dili Darbar, and Ekta Dance Academy for their support. Special shout-out to DJ Ashok for running the event seamlessly.

It was inspiring to see more male performers and greater diversity in the performances.

Kudos to our Cultural Committee and Executive Board for their tireless efforts. Here’s to another Diwali filled with light, joy, and togetherness! 

--Kirti Nagpal

ISW Thanksgiving Food Drive

We will start collecting the donations November 1, 2025  at India center
Please come anytime to the center from 4-9 on Nov 1. 
If the center is open please come inside and there is going to be Table and a box to drop off the items If the center is closed there will be a container with a lid in the Gazebo in the back .
You can drop of your food items any time there from 11/1/25 - 11/16/25 ‎

We are striving to collect 1000 food items for donation to food pantries in our area.

Given the current economic environment with so many workers laid off without salary it’s really important that we all pitch in and help the families in need . If Each one of us can Just Bring 10 items of food —we will be able to reach the goal in no time

India CENTER
152 MAIN STREET SHREWSBURY MA

You may donate at this link also 

ITEMS NEEDED:

1. CANNED VEGETABLES AND FRUITS
2. RICE, PASTA, AND GRAINS
3. CANNED SOUPS AND BEANS
4. PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY
5. BOXED STUFFING AND MASHED POTATOES
6. COOKING OIL AND SPICES
7. BABY FOOD AND FORMULA
8. Mac and Cheese
9. Laundry detergent, bath soap, shampoo

Also, if possible, try to get flip top cans for tuna, canned meats, fruits and vegetables. Not 100 % necessary but it is important for the homeless because they don’t usually have access to a can opener.

Please make sure to check the expiry Dates on the food items before donating Should be after  December 1, 2025

- By Dr. Kirti Nagpal

We kicked off the day with some really informative sessions about Medicare. Narayan Sharma gave us a quick and easy-to-understand review of the different parts — A, B, C, and D. His talk helped simplify this confusing “alphabet soup” that many of us start navigating once we turn 65.

After that, we moved right into the Diwali celebrations with a beautiful Laxmi Ji Aarti. It set the perfect tone for the rest of the day.

Then came a delightful musical segment with Debashis Sengupta, Shubhra, and Milli, who filled the room with soft, melodious songs.

The surprise of the day was an amazing instrumental performance by Rajay Goyal, Renuka Goyal, Haren Mehta ,Jawahar Pathak, Sharat Amin, Suresh Patel, and Narayan Sharma. Their performance was absolutely brilliant and had everyone completely captivated!

Next up was the charming Diya Dance, performed by Ketki Ji, Sandhya Ji, Maneesha Ji, and Pallavi Ji—a truly perfect piece for the Diwali occasion.

We were then treated to a lively jugalbandi, with Hiren Mehta Ji on the tabla and Kirti performing a graceful Kathak. The audience loved every bit of it!

And to wrap it all up, we had a fun-filled fashion show featuring all our Humrahi members. Everyone joined in with such energy and enthusiasm—it was a joy to watch! A wonderful Katkak dance was performed by Dr. Kirti Nagpal.

All in all, it was a wonderful and successful event. Everyone enjoyed the performances, mingled with friends, and celebrated Diwali together in true festive spirit.

ISW celebrates Diwali at MA State House by invitation  from 

Asian American Pacific Islander Commission of the Commonwealth of MA.   More Photos here

--Jagan Srinivasan

ISW was proud to be represented at the Diwali Celebration at the Massachusetts State House, co-hosted by the AAPI Commission, AAPI Caucus, and BAPS. The beautifully organized event showcased how Diwali — the Festival of Lights — has been warmly embraced and celebrated throughout the Commonwealth.

The celebration was attended by dignitaries including Mr. Raghuram, Consul General of India in Boston, and Ms. Shruti Purushotam, Deputy Consul. ISW looks forward to collaborating closely with the Indian Consulate on community initiatives such as visa and passport support and future cultural projects.

At the event, AAPI recognized ISW members and volunteers Raj and Shiamin Melville for their outstanding contributions to the community and their ongoing involvement in various civic and cultural activities. A proud moment for ISW and the broader Indian community — celebrating culture, service, and unity in the heart of the State House.