The Humrahi Gala was truly a musical journey down Bollywood's memory lane! Our talented singers took us from the timeless melodies of the Dev Anand era, through the vibrant tunes of Govinda, all the way to the iconic tracks of King Khan. A special shout-out to Manisha Parmar, Kaizad Patel, Ashutosh Patel, and Reshma Nair, who captivated us with one beautiful, heartfelt song after another. Their mesmerizing performances left us spellbound and filled our senses with joy!

The evening's ambiance was nothing short of magical, with guests elegantly dressed in red and green, embracing the spirit of the season. Our talented Gautam Jain captured the festive moments with his professional Christmas portraits, making the night even more memorable.

Our Humrahi singers Narayan ji, Rajay ji, and Trupti ji were outstanding on stage, delighting the audience with their melodious voices. We were also pleasantly surprised by our guest Raj Sinichar from Florida, whose soulful performance touched everyone deeply.

The dance performances by Kirti Nagpal, Smita Manjrekar, and Hema Phatnani were truly appreciated, adding a lively touch to the evening. Couples swirled onto the dance floor, enjoying the soft Bollywood melodies and indulging in a little ballroom magic.

The venue was beautifully decorated with Christmas lights, a stunning tree, and festive touches that perfectly captured the holiday spirit. The entire atmosphere was filled with warmth, cheer, and holiday joy.

One of the night's most exciting moments came with the arrival of our Humrahi committed chair Sharat Amin dressed as Santa Claus—a true showstopper! Santa made a grand entrance, bringing a sense of wonder and delight to the event. He added an extra touch of excitement by presenting prizes in several fun categories, such as Best Dressed Couple, Best Dressed Female, Best Dressed male and more . Congrats to all the winners.

Guests enjoyed a delectable gourmet dinner, featuring rich dishes like Paneer Butter Masala, Navratan Korma, Tadka Dal, and freshly baked, crispy Naan—a true feast for the senses.

The evening was filled with laughter, music, and a palpable sense of happiness and cheer. A heartfelt thank you to all the volunteers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes, making this event a grand success and creating a memorable experience for all our Humrahi members.

- Dr. Kirti Nagpal

Contributed by: Sarita Deshpande

On Thursday, December 12, 2024, the ISW Symphony Dhol Tasha Lezim team took center stage at TD Garden in Boston during the pregame show of the Celtics vs. Detroit Pistons game. This energetic group of ISW volunteers, who have been working together for several years, regularly practices and performs at various ISW and local community events. The team plays traditional Indian folk drums known as 'Dhol,' snare drums called 'Tasha,' and large and small cymbals referred to as 'Zanj' and 'Taal.'

This performance was part of ISW’s longstanding collaboration with the Boston Celtics, which began in 2010. Over the years, ISW members have participated in various pregame activities, including singing the National Anthem, interacting with players, and showcasing traditional Indian music and dance. Ragini Seth, a pioneering ISW volunteer who helped initiate this collaboration, reflected on the tradition: “It all started with a group dancing to ‘Jai Ho’ on the parquet floor. Since then, ISW has brought Indian culture to Celtics fans in many ways. Seeing the Dhol Tasha team perform this year continues that legacy.”

"Stepping onto the Celtics court, where basketball legends have played, was an incredible feeling. It was a proud moment to see our Indian cultural rhythms capture the attention of thousands of spectators in the arena," said Sarita Deshpande, Chair of the ISW Symphony initiative.

Aishwarya Mungarwadi, one of the Dhol players and a recent addition to the team, shared her excitement: “I never dreamt of performing Dhol for the Celtics. Being a new performer, this was a big achievement for me. I was on cloud nine after the performance. The vibrant and lively atmosphere felt amazing.”

Another Dhol player, Akshay Rajhans, captures the essence of the performance using AI: “Let us applaud, this cultural blend, where dance and music, forever transcend. The ISW Symphony, a name we'll recall, for the vibrant performance, a sight for all.”

Rajesh Khare, an ISW volunteer and one of the organizers of the group, added, "It was an incredible experience to showcase the rich tradition of Dhol Tasha Lezim to a wider audience. The energy in the arena was amazing."

Big Thanks to All Our Volunteer Performers

· Flag Bearer: Ashok Kale

· Dhol Players: Aditya Ambade, Atharv Deshpande, Akshay Rajhans, Shirish Joshi, Rajesh Khare, Adi Kinhikar, Aishwarya Mungarwadi, Prasanna Pawar, Meenakshi Vaze, Durgesh Warty

· Tasha Players: Sanket Gurao, Arvind Kinhikar, Parag Kunte, Mangesh Shinde, Kaustubh Sahasrabuddhe, Vinay Vyas

· Zanj Players: Vaijayanti Joshi, Priya Vaidya

· Taal Players: Ahaan Rajhans, Ayaan Sahasrabuddhe

· Lezim Players: Avnee Ambade, Anuradha Bhogle, Pranita Deshmukh, Sarita Deshpande, Shriya Jog, Lavanya Kartik, Saanvi Khare, Anjali Kinhikar, Shilpa Kulkarni, Tanvi Kunte, Arjun Sahasrabuddhe, Samyukta Warty

· Logistics and Planning Help: Abhijeet Kaulgud

The ISW Symphony Dhol Tasha Lezim team regularly performs at ISW events and other local programs, promoting Indian culture through rhythm and dance. For more information, visit website.

The 20th Annual ISW Christmas Celebration was held at the Shrewsbury Congregational Church venue . Families representing various Indian states and languages came together, dressed in vibrant Christmas colors and traditional Indian attire. Women in colorful saris, men in suits and cultural attire, and children in festive outfits helped kick off the Christmas season in a unique and joyous way.

The celebration began with the sounds of Christmas carols sung in multiple Indian languages, filling the hall with the spirit of the season. Ms. Amitha Rao served as the program moderator, while Dr. Allwyn Rapose shared a heartfelt account of his journey from growing up in Mumbai to becoming a doctor & moving to United States. Dr. Rapose reflected on the challenges he faced, including moments during the COVID-19 pandemic when, as a chief of infectious diseases, he struggled to save many patients. He shared how he opened his heart to God and allowed God’s story for his life to unfold. Drawing a parallel to Christmas, he reminded that Jesus Christ, was born as a baby in the whole wide world , where there was no room and was laid in a manger & his story to save mankind from sins to eternal life.

Mr. Puneet Kohli, President of ISW, and his wife, Mrs. Priyanka Kohli, carried on ISW’s cherished tradition by cutting the Christmas cake and greeting the community. Dr. Jagan Srinivasan, ISW Vice President, highlighted the significant accomplishments of ISW in 2024 and encouraged attendees to get involved and make a difference in the community.

Mr. Rajoo Ananth, Chair of the ISW Crisis Committee, shared touching stories of compassion and care extended by the ISW community to fellow Indians in need, right in our own neighborhoods.

The ISW Voice Ensemble delivered a lively English and Hindi medley that was met with great enthusiasm and joy by the audience. The arrival of Santa Claus delighted the children, who received gifts and posed for family pictures with him.

Home made homemade Christmas dinner, lovingly prepared by volunteers was served to couple hundred families with children spreading the joy and love of the season.

ISW Christmas 2024 Pictures with Santa

link to Santa’s photos for parents to download their family pictures:

--Submitted by ISW Cultural Team

As part of our upcoming Annual ISW Harvest Festival, we are excited to celebrate with vibrant cultural performances, and your talent and creativity would be a perfect addition to this special event. We are reaching out to invite you to take part in this event. This is an excellent opportunity to showcase your artistic skills, bring your vision to life, and contribute to a memorable celebration of the season.

Event Details:

• Date:  Sat, Feb 8, 2025 @2:00 pm
• Venue:  St John's High School,  378 Main St, Shrewsbury, MA
• Registration Form: https://iswonline.org/event-5978777

Facebook

There are 3 segments this year :

Non-Compete Cultural Program:

• Art Form - Dance, Live Music, Group Vocals, Act, Other
• Minimum number of participants in a group must be 5
• Performance duration must not exceed 4.5 minutes

Group Dance Competition

• 8 years and older can participate in the Dance Competition
• Minimum number of participants in a group must be 5
• Performance duration must not exceed 4.5 minutes
• The judges' decision will be final and binding.  

*****ISW Cultural Committee can decide to combine contest categories if we receive less than 3 registrations in one category****

Adult Singing Competition  - This segment is exclusively for aspiring singers who wish to showcase their talent and to take your passion to the next level.

• Adults (18 years and older) can participate in the Singing Competition
• Minimum number of participants in a group must be 2
• Performance duration must not exceed 2.5 minutes
• Non-Classical Hindi Songs ONLY
• The judges' decision will be final and binding.  
• We will be accepting 10 entries this year - first 10 to register and pay the registration fee

IMPORTANT DATES
Registration deadline: Saturday Feb 1st, 2025 11:00 pm
Music submission deadline: Saturday Feb 5th, 2025 11:00 pm  (Reminder will be sent closer to the date)

Please let us know if you're available to participate, and feel free to share any requirements you may have. 

We request that you avoid dropping out at the last minute.

Our entire team is looking forward to hearing from you and seeing the magic you’ll create on stage!  

Thank you,

ISW Cultural Team

iswonline.org 

submitted by By Ayan Mishra

On November 23rd, the Digital Literacy Project (DLP), a student-led organization from Saint John's High School, hosted its inaugural workshop for  ISW Humrahee. It was attendend by over 70 seniors participating in an engaging and interactive session aimed at enhancing their digital skills and become more comfortable with technology, an increasingly essential part of everyday life. Participants were guided through practical tips and tools to improve their digital literacy, from basic device usage to online safety and communication skills. 

One of the highlights of the workshop was its highly interactive format. The session featured quizzes and live Q&A segments, which kept the seniors engaged and actively involved throughout. The quizzes were designed to test their understanding of the concepts presented and provide instant feedback, while the Q&A allowed attendees to ask specific questions about their personal experiences with technology. This format encouraged a two-way dialogue, making the event not only informative but also enjoyable for all participants.

 Many seniors had specific concerns or queries about their devices, whether it was how to use certain apps, troubleshoot common issues, storage concerns or stay safe online.  They appreciated the practical knowledge they gained, particularly about how technology can help them stay connected with loved ones, access essential services, and pursue new hobbies. Several attendees mentioned how the session demystified aspects of technology they had previously found intimidating.

The Digital Literacy Project is led by passionate students from Saint John's High School, with Ayan Mishra serving as CEO, Aadi Jaganathan as COO, and David Wang as President of Event Coordination. For more information on upcoming workshops , contact humrahee@online.org

---submitted by Dr Kirti Nagpal

We started our program on 11/23/2024 with an informative session on Digital literacy.

Digital literacy refers to the ability to effectively and critically navigate, evaluate, and create information using a range of digital technologies. In today’s world, digital literacy is not just about knowing how to use devices like smartphones or computers; it's about understanding and applying technology in an informed and ethical manner .

First session of this 2 part series addressed basics like

1.How to stay Connected and Safe Online
2.Cybersecurity
3.How to avoid misinformation and fake news

It was an incredible presentation by the young tech Savvy freshman students of St John’s school - Aadi , Ayan and David .

We all were truly impressed by there confidence and expertise on the subject .

All the topics were relevant to the needs and concerns of our audience .

After the session we had our potluck to celebrate upcoming Thanksgiving day . We had a huge spread of delectable foods both sweet and savory !! There was handvo, Dahi Bada , samosas, Lauki Halwa and gulab Jamun to name just a few of the dishes !

We all had a great time connecting with each other and enjoying the delicious food and masala Chai .

We then dived into our next session of “Kuch Dil Ne Kaha”

It was a great mix of songs and Bhajans and shayari . Our active and passionate humrahi members participated in it with full enthusiasm and vigor.

Another engaging and successful Humrahi get together .

We sang ,we connected,we enjoyed and had some bread together- what else could be a better way of celebrating Thanksgiving !!

• We are delighted to share that the ISW Diwali Cultural Event was a tremendous success! The event started and finished on time, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience for everyone involved. With over 40 items featured, there was truly something for everyone to enjoy. Vendors offered a diverse range of products and services, including clothing, jewelry, religious books, tutoring services, and a health booth dedicated to educating the South Asian community on heart health issues. The food was another major highlight of the event, receiving rave reviews and selling out completely. DJ Ashok kept the energy alive, ensuring the music ran smoothly throughout the event.
• Most importantly, both guests and participants expressed their happiness with how well the event was organized and appreciated its timely conclusion. A special shout-out to the Cultural Committee—this event wouldn’t have been possible without their tireless efforts and invaluable contributions. Thank you for making this event such a memorable success!

No Free Health Stop sessions on 11-27, 12-25 and 1-1-25 in celebration of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year.

It was indeed a magical night at Diwali Lights at NEBG at Tower Hill, Boylston, MA on November 23, 2024, when they kicked off its season of Night Lights with Diwali Lights.

This is the third year in 2024 that the New England Botanic Garden (NEBG) and the India Society of Worcester (ISW) have partnered to hold a Diwali celebration at the garden. “This year, because it was part of the Night Lights, our Indian Culture reached such a wider audience. I’m so happy about that,” said Shiamin Melville, Event Chair for Diwali Lights at NEBG. It leads to such perfect synergy — celebrating their iconic annual Night Lights with Diwali which is also a festival of lights.

NEBG's Night Lights is a six-week program, where the breathtaking winter light display of a quarter million lights is unmatched in the region. Visitors were amazed as they journeyed through a mesmerizing array of radiant, glowing lights in every imaginable color. Besides s’mores, seasonal drinks, and a model train, a Glice artificial ice-skating rink was also installed for the first time for Night Lights.

Attendees to Diwali Lights this year were welcomed with traditional flowers Rangoli, by Priya Vaidya. The event featured Indian food, in partnership with Gourmet India; shopping with vendors selling Indian jewelry, clothes, neem candles, turmeric soap and ethnic water bottles; henna with Megna; and a scavenger hunt to find South Asian plants in the Orangery. Carolyn and Sahdev Passey added to the festivities with their beautiful ethnic touches in the cafe and event spaces, and their Indian Culture table proved to be big draw. Additionally, we had chess enthusiasts enjoying sessions, surrounded by myriads of lights. This year’s dancers were from Natyamani School of Drama, AmudhaSri Dance School Dance School, BollyBeatz, Garishma, and Mona's Dance Academy. The musical program included young flute and tabla performers Sachika and Adithya, Sak, and Carnatic vocals by Gaanavaariddhi School of Music. To end it all, more than 20 of ISW’s own Symphony Dhol Tasha Lezim team braved the cold and performed in the garden surrounded by rainbow LED lights. With the help of more than 20 ISW Volunteers and our Indian Youth Group, this event helped create magical memories.

“I just love seeing the families enjoy the garden,” said Grace Elton, CEO as they connected with nature. “Some fan favorites are returning this year, including the rainbow tunnel located in the vegetable garden.” Staff and volunteers work each year to create a theme for the event and this year the theme’s focus is rainbows. The Garden of Inspiration, now ADA accessible, focuses on how rainbows occur, and visitors saw waterfalls and ice with pops of rainbow shining through.

NEBG first connected with ISW in 2019 when it was working on its strategic plan. CEO Grace Elton said the garden was reaching out to as many community members as possible to get information on what the garden should be doing in the future. The then-President of ISW, Ashish Cowlagi, participated in a focus group, and, as a result, we continue to hold a seat on the garden’s Community Advisory Committee. Besides that, ISW members Priya Vaidya and Shiamin Melville have joined NEBG committees and the Board of Trustees. We look forward to 2025 Diwali Lights next year.

DTL_Video

Photos by Mala Lam from Event

Musical FB Live Performances

Walkthrough FB Live

We hope to track the hours to recognize the amazing volunteers who contribute to India Society of Worcester 

Please note no adults over 25 will be considered for 2024 awards as per change, only youth hours are considered. 

2024 volunteer hours should be submitted by  January 31, 2025. Please complete form here

We will need written certification/verification of hours for non ISW Hours
All applicants should be current ISW members or be part of family that has a membership, and be registered with IYG 
Try and fill it at the end of each quarter in 2024
Additionally, if you want, you can  allow ISW to share your info to be considered for the President’s Volunteer Service Award (PVSA). The PVSA recognizes incredible individuals who are committed to a high level of volunteer and service with a  PVSA medal and a letter from the White House.  More info at:
https://www.presidentialserviceawards.gov/eligibility#volunteers