---Telegram & Gazette

Vaijayanti Joshi (Pushpa), age 89, passed away peacefully on May 28, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.

Relatives and friends are invited to a period of calling hours on Sunday, June 1, 2025 from 2-5 pm in the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St., Worcester. Her funeral service will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to: India Society of Worcester, Attn: India Center Campaign Committee, PO Box 136, Shrewsbury, MA. 01545

Born in India, the eldest of her generation, Pushpa’s life journey took her across continents, from Pune India to Guelph Canada, Worcester and Hopkinton Massachusetts in the US. She lived a remarkable and inspirational life, defined by resilience, wisdom, and an unwavering devotion to her family. She was a dedicated wife to Harihar Joshi. She guided her children and grandchildren through many challenges and took great pride in seeing them thrive. She was also blessed to witness the joy of five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Pushpa was the beloved matriarch of her family, soft-spoken yet deeply respected by all who had the privilege of knowing her. In addition to the dedication to her family, she worked professionally her entire life. She earned her Masters Degree in Library Science and Social Work, worked in the Worcester public schools, helped to run the Prospect House in dedicated community work, and in partnership with her husband, built Omega Medical Labs in Oxford. She later was the Activities Director at the Jewish Community Center in Worcester.

She was active in the community and dedicated to the India Society of Worcester for over 50 years, growing it from a small, dedicated group of people to an incredibly thriving center today. As an ordained Hindu minister, she joined many happy couples in marriage. She continued to inspire and support her community until her final days. She also loved writing, published three books, was creative with painting, pottery, knitting and was a legendary Indian cook. Her life was shaped by strength, grace, and profound insight, which she generously shared with a wide network of friends and loved ones. She was admired for her warmth, kindness, and gentle humor.

Above all, Pushpa will be remembered for the immense love she gave and the deep impact she had on the lives of those around her. Her enduring spirit and compassionate heart leave a legacy that will continue to inspire for generations.

She will be deeply missed and forever remembered by her family and all who knew her.

On March 17th, 2025 we recognized our youth volunteers with awards and certificates.  Kunal Chauhan, President SHS Student Council, ISW School Student Teacher, ISW University Robotics, and Lego Tuto shared information on  'How to find Youth Volunteer Opportunities' around this area ?' and Pranav Krishnan, President IYG shared information of youth volunteer opportuinites at ISW and Sharad Mehta  shared interesting projects by the Rotary Club

It was followed by the presentation of ISW Youth Volunteer Certificates and PVSA Awards, by Kamlesh Khilnani, on behalf of Jagan Srinivasan, President, India Society of Worcester. Ice Cream provided by Tickett Ice Cream, and snacks were served.

Awardees:

1. Pratap Srivastava ISW Volunteer Certificate
2. ThanmayeVennavaram ISW Volunteer Certificate
3. Ishita Agrawal ISW Volunteer Certificate
4. Rohan Savla ISW Volunteer Certificate
5. Aditi Jayendran PVSA GOLD
6. Arin Shinde PVSA SILVER
7. Arush Jagan PVSA GOLD
8. Ayan Mishra PVSA GOLD
9. Dhruv Jagan PVSA GOLD
10. Kartikeya Nekenti PVSA GOLD
11. Mahati Jayendran PVSA GOLD
12. Medhansh Choudhury PVSA BRONZE
13. Prisha Rathi PVSA SILVER
14. Rakshana Subramanian PVSA BRONZE
15. Siddharth Gowtham PVSA GOLD
16. Sohan Hegde PVSA GOLD
17. Suhrit Ghosh PVSA SILVER
18. Tanushree Nekenti PVSA GOLD

--submitted by Dhiren Savla

A Tapestry of Unity: ISW Celebrates Eid with Joy and Community Spirit

This spring May 4, 2025, the India Society of Worcester (ISW) marked a meaningful milestone by celebrating Eid for the first time in few years—bringing together families, friends, and neighbors from across cultures for an afternoon filled with warmth, tradition, and shared joy. Held on a cool Sunday at the ISW Community Hall, the event highlighted the richness of Islamic heritage while fostering the spirit of unity that defines the ISW community.

The celebration began with a warm welcome address by ISW President Jagan Srinivasan, whose words set a thoughtful and inclusive tone for the day. He was followed by Sanjay Shah, who shared heartfelt words of encouragement, recognizing the significance of the event and the importance of building community.

The hall was transformed into a cheerful Meena Bazaar-style marketplace, complete with stalls offering vibrant clothing, intricate jewelry, and handmade crafts. Volunteers added special touches with beautifully intricate henna by Sumera Amir and elegant Urdu calligraphy by Sana Maqsood, both of which drew a steady stream of eager participants. A cultural booth showcased the many ways Islamic culture has contributed to Indian society, while guests had fun trying on traditional garments at the ever-popular photo booth.

Guiding the day with warmth and enthusiasm were event MCs Umraz and Komal, who helped keep the energy high and the program flowing seamlessly. Their presence added a welcoming touch that brought everyone together.

Throughout the afternoon, music set the tone for celebration. Performances by the ISW Symphony, Yash Naik, Sudhakar, Mustafa Taj, Sharat Amin, and the energetic Haynes Farm Gang brought people to their feet and smiles to their faces. Artist Avni Chheda created a special moment by leading a community art activity, inviting over fifty attendees—young and old—to help co-create a collaborative painting that beautifully reflected the day’s spirit of inclusion.

Of course, no celebration is complete without food. Volunteers and local restaurants served up a delightful array of Eid delicacies and desserts, offering guests a flavorful experience that paired perfectly with the afternoon’s festivities.

This event was made possible through the hard work and dedication of many. A heartfelt thanks goes out to community volunteers Asiya, Tabassum, Hathun, Shehla, Sabreena, Sameena, Shaista, Shazia, Umraz, and Yasmin, whose efforts were essential in bringing the event to life. Special appreciation also goes to the ISW team—Smita, Komal and Shilpa for their leadership and ISW Cultural team for their  coordination.

The success of this event is a proud achievement for the ISW Cultural Team, who brought their vision of a cross-cultural Eid celebration to life with creativity and heart. It’s a celebration that many will remember—and one that promises to become a beloved annual tradition, paving the way for more inclusive and diverse events at ISW in the future.

Started three years ago by Bridge enthusiasts Sanjay Shah and Vikram Udeshi, the weekly Bridge group has grown rapidly and now meets at the ISW India Center thrice weekly at 7pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. What started initially as an introductory set of Bridge lessons to get novice players started; has now become a very enjoyable pastime for many. Several of the players were just introduced to Bridge and are now regular players.

The introductory Bridge classes are now in their third year and the latest class of over 25 learners have made significant progress in picking up the basics of the game.

Tuesday evenings at ISW are typically packed with 20+ advanced players playing duplicate or rubber Bridge in a separate room while ongoing classes are conducted by Sanjay, ably assisted by Vikram, Dhiren Savla and Kapeel Krishana.
We are also fortunate to have Adi Chehna, a national competitive Bridge player to provide mentoring and guidance to the Bridge group.

Join the Bridge interest group on WhatsApp to learn more. Look out for a future announcement for afternoon Bridge sessions for those who cannot join in the evening.

Earlier this month, we held a workshop on unlocking procurement opportunities in partnership with LEAF, Local Enterprise Assistance Fund ! We are grateful to our partners at Asian Community Fund (ACF) that funds this through ABEC, the Asian Business Empowerment Council who organized the event at ISW and provide lunch for the attendees.

Attendees heard from Amine Benali, Managing Director at LEAF, Amanda LaCroix, Director of Programs and Engagement at the Massachusetts Supplier Diversity Office, and David Cho, Chief Procurement Officer at Harvard University. Businesses learned everything from what being certified with the SDO means and how this unlocks more opportunities, what it means to work with an anchor institution, and learned actionable steps to elevate your business when going after procurement opportunities.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and a big thank you to our insightful speakers for helping out our small businesses! If you are interested in attending such events, please feel free to contact us at pen@iswonline.org. Check out parts of the presentation on FB live on ISW Facebook page.

What a wonderful evening it was to "Celebrate HER",

Showcasing unity and strength!

Expressing creativity and individuality!

Uplifting and inspiring moments!

Enjoying with fun and laughters!

Appreciating very well deserved community influencers.

And creating beautiful memories.

Thank you everyone for gracing us with your presence and supporting ISW-WEW (Women Empowering Women) program. You are all making an huge impact in the society with a beautiful today and even better tomorrow.

A special thank you to Priyanka Manish Jaiswal and her son for capturing stunning photographs.

And sincere thanks to Preeti Khilnani for all your invaluable support throughout the event.

View photos at: https://priyankajaiswal.smugmug.com/ISW-WEW-Women-Empowering-Women/n-VqJ7XD

The ISW Symphony team transformed the India Center into a vibrant hub of artistic expression on Saturday, May 3rd, as it hosted the much-anticipated ISW Visual Art Festival 2025. Running from 3 PM to 7 PM, the event drew a diverse crowd of art enthusiasts, families, and community members, all eager to celebrate local talent and creativity.

This year’s festival theme was ‘Prakruti- Beauty of Nature’ . The event was an impressive showcase of visual art by local artists, who displayed a wide range of works—from traditional Indian-inspired paintings to modern mixed media pieces. The colorful exhibits provided a platform for both emerging and established artists to share their art and connect with the community.

Some highlights included Java Mehta, from the Academy of Creative Arts shared her artistic journey with the audience. Susmita Bando presented to the audience her thoughts on creative connections between Indian Classical and Folk visual Art with the 20th century art of the contemporary West.

Adding to the interactive spirit of the afternoon were two creative workshops, which invited participants of different ages to explore their own artistic potential. Whether it was the one stroke painting on canvas taught by Shilpa Adduri, who also did a wonderful ‘live art’ demonstration or our other creative workshop experimenting with clay to create artwork at the Lippan Art workshop conducted by Sunanda Sahay, attendees enjoyed hands-on experiences.

Another highlight of the event was the Kids Art Contest, where young artists from across the community proudly displayed their creations. The contest brought out a wonderful energy, as families gathered to cheer on the next generation of artists and the contestants were ably judged by Susmita Bando and Sunanda Sahay, both of whom are accomplished artists.

Art Competition ISW winners-

• Oil Pastels (5-9yrs)
• Aadhya Tyagi - 1st
• Dhwani Patel - 3rd

Acrylic painting (10-15yrs)

• Sriansha Verma -1st
• Sophie Kashwan - 2nd
• Pranika Arun - 3rd

Thank you to Swara Gurao and Shanali Patil, our young volunteers who helped with the art contest.

Festival-goers also had the opportunity to browse and shop at booths hosted by vendors featuring handcrafted items, including jewelry, home decor, and artisan gifts. The marketplace added a unique flair to the event, celebrating craftsmanship and supporting local entrepreneurs.

A big shout out to our amazing vendors and donors who donated for our giveaway baskets,

• Neha Ujlayan
• Hustham by Gavoury Kumar
• Art by Khushboo
• The Neem Tree co by Rashmi Deshpande
• CraftZ360 by Shweta Shah
• Meena Art & Craft by Meenakshi Krishnamoorthy
• Art Decor Collective by Archana Nambiar

We also had Moon House showcasing their pottery for the first time.

Of course, no celebration at the India Center would be complete without delicious food! Guests savored an array of Indian dishes and snacks, which added flavor to the already festive atmosphere.

The ISW Visual Art Festival 2025 was not just a celebration of art—it was a reflection of community spirit, cultural pride, and creative collaboration. With strong attendance and enthusiastic participation, the event reinforced ISW’s role as a cornerstone for cultural enrichment in Central Massachusetts.

For more information about upcoming ISW events, visit iswonline.org

Tune into togetherness, sing in unity

ISW Antakshari – the melody of community!

What an unforgettable Antakshari event!

This year, we introduced an exciting new Jeopardy-style format in the final rounds, and the response was overwhelming! The crowd brought amazing energy, making the event vibrant, fun, and truly memorable.

A huge round of applause and congratulations to all the winners!

• Agne team for winning First Prize, Nimish Gera & Arpan Ghosh
• Baazigar team for securing the Second Prize, Padmini Dey & Hema Rani
• Rangile team for taking home the Third Prize, Divya & Pawan Lalwani

This year, we shook things up with a brand new Jeopardy-style finale, and the crowd loved it!

Behind the scenes, a lot of hard work by the Cultural Team, in collaboration with the Dream Team, made the magic happen:

• Arun Radhakrishnan – The mastermind behind the custom Jeopardy software. It was creative, fun, and took the finals to another level!
• Ashok Kale – Bursting with energy and ideas, Ashok’s creativity and content kept the team buzzing and the show flowing.
• Harish Patil – Judge extraordinaire! With unmatched knowledge of Bollywood music, Harish helped shape a truly exciting competition.
• Narayan Sharma & Sharat Amin –Ever-reliable, ever-encouraging, and always ready to jump in, always supportive, always smiling.

A few special shout-outs:

• Sunita Ramnani – Your dance videos added sparkle to the ‘Aaja Nachle’ category. Thank you for stepping up with such joy!
• Gautam Bhuva – Thank you for capturing the laughter, excitement, and energy in every frame.

To every participant, audience member, and volunteer - you brought this event to life. We couldn't have done it without you!

Huge thanks to Narayan Sharma, and Ekta & Anand Jain for treating us to delicious snacks and warm chai! ☕

MR. Sanjay Shah, thank you staying for the entire event. Your support in distributing the awards made it even more special!!

Cultural Team added another feather to their cap with a vibrant, joy-filled Antakshari event.

It wasn’t just a game—it was a celebration of togetherness, one song at a time!

-- Truly Grateful, ISW Cultural Committee!!!

---Yogesh Parikh on behalf of Bhakta Family

Vitthalbhai “Victor” Sanmukhlal Bhakta
June 17, 1950 — April 22, 2025

HOLLYWOOD, FL/BOLTON, MA - Vitthalbhai “Victor” Sanmukhlal Bhakta was born in the rural village of Bajipura, Gujarat, India where he spent his childhood surrounded by his parents, four brothers, and countless cousins. At the age of 11, Vitthalbhai immigrated to San Francisco with his family. He came to the United States not knowing any English, but faked it until he made it in the San Francisco public school system. He worked with the family running (and later owning) motels and in 1977, he returned to India with his younger brother to find a wife.

Vitthalbhai met Bhartiben and it was love at first sight - at least for him! He managed to persuade her and they were married after knowing each other for a few days. They have led an incredible life together full of love and would have celebrated 48 years of marriage on May 1st. After the wedding, Vitthalbhai infamously went on the honeymoon- alone. He traveled to Japan, Africa, and the Middle East, while Bhartiben had to remain in India awaiting to finish her studies and visa. They first moved to San Francisco, living in the family home, and later to San Jose where they opened a graphic design and printing business and their daughter Deepti was born. Eventually, Vitthalbhai found a new opportunity in Massachusetts and the family settled in as the owners of the Clinton Motor Inn. Not long after, the family welcomed a son, Roshan in 1984.

Ever the entrepreneur and risk-taker, Vitthalbhai also tried various other enterprises alongside the motel, his adventures ranged from gas station owner (& attendant!) to operating the only ice cream truck in town that also served samosas! The true testament of his tenacity was the decision to purchase the Holiday Inn in Leominster and convert it into an assisted living facility. Manor on the Hill has been a family-owned business since 1997 and continues to be run by Vitthalbhai’s son, Roshan. Vitthalbhai continued to build his businesses, working with Bhartiben and extended family members to explore opportunities and co-own various hotels and assisted livings across the country. Vitthalbhai’s independent thinking, desire to follow his passion combined with the risks he took enabled an amazing life filled with so many deeply meaningful experiences, unique circle of friends and a greater appreciation of the finer things in life.

One of those finer things in Vitthalbhai’s life was music. He sang, played the harmonium, the dholak, and the keyboard. Each time he returned to India, he would make a point to learn more songs and music. He shared his musical talents at many bhajans, garbas, and gatherings. In fact, he even recorded his own album alongside a full orchestra of professional musicians. Whenever music was playing, he could be found tapping his feet, hands, and humming along. Many, many people have enjoyed and found comfort in his singing. We will always think of him and his love for music and how he was able to use it to bring light and love into the lives and hearts of those around him.

Vitthalbhai became an important part of the community, proudly serving with the Rotary Club as well as being a vital member of the India Society of Worcester. His desire to be of service to others showed through his countless hours volunteering at the soup kitchen, and being available to sing at bhajans, garbas or just start antakshari at the drop of a dime. Even though Vitthalbhai spent most of his adult life away from India he always remained deeply connected to his roots and remained spiritual throughout his life. Most notably he organized taking teachers to India on behalf of the Rotary club as well as other charitable causes to improve lives abroad.

In more recent years, Vitthalbhai enjoyed working less and playing more. He went on many travel adventures with his wife and family. In the last year alone, he went to India, Japan, the Dominican Republic, and of course, across the US visiting friends & family. Vitthalbhai and Bhartiben enjoyed splitting their time between Hollywood, FL and Bolton, MA. He may have preferred Florida for the hot weather, but was always glad to be back in Massachusetts spending time with his granddaughters. He also loved to be back in the land of champion sports teams, and was likely to be spotted wearing a Patriots hat and/or sweatshirt any time of the year.

Vitthalbhai’s most cherished role was as husband, father and grandfather. He is survived by his wife, Bharti Vitthal Bhakta, daughter Deepti Vitthal Bhakta-Johns, son Roshan Vitthal Bhakta, their spouses Gregory David Johns, Tessa Stratton Lundquist, and his four granddaughters, Lali Diane Bhakta-Johns, Neeva Rosaline Bhakta-Johns, Shyla Phoenix Bhakta-Johns, and Aaxa Kristen Bhakta. There is no question that Vitthal’s greatest joy was his family. He and Bhartiben were not simply husband and wife, they were truly partners in life, working together in business and in raising their family. Vitthalbhai was most proud of Deepti and Roshan and never wavered in his support of them. “Dada” will be greatly missed by his beloved granddaughters. He would be smiling constantly when spending time with them. He had an indescribable bond with each one of them and gave them a lifetime’s worth of love. We are incredibly grateful for the time his granddaughters got to spend with him, and know that his spirit remains alive in them.

Vitthalbhai was preceded in death by his brother Thakorbhai Sanmukhbhai Bhakta. He is also survived by his brothers, Bhartbhai & Urmilaben Bhakta (San Francisco, Ca), Jagdishbhai & Pushpaben Bhakta (Madera, Ca), and Arvinbhai & Padmaben Bhakta (Sunnyvale, Ca), and many, many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends who were family.

While words like genuine, kind and steadfast are often heard, they describe Vitthalbhai perfectly. He was loved and respected by many, many people all across the globe. Vitthalbhai’s family, friends, and community will love and remember him forever, will carry his spirit, and will move forward with the quiet strength and sense of humor that he always exuded.

In lieu of gifts, the family suggests considering a donation to the Alzheimer's Association, one of Vitthalbhai's favorite charities in his memory.

Announcement for Repast - Vitthalbhai Bhakta

Bhartiben, Deepti, Roshan, and the entire Bhakta family have expressed their sincere appreciation for your invaluable support and presence this week, especially during the final rites rituals and service for our dear friend Vitthalbhai Bhakta last Friday at the India Center of ISW in Shrewsbury. The touching display of your affection and respect for Vitthalbhai has meant a lot to the family. Now, they'd like to have an opportunity to celebrate Vitthalbhai's life and legacy with friends and well-wishers.

A Memorial Service (Barmu) has been scheduled to:
· Celebrate Vitthalbhai's life while also providing a graceful closure with 12th & 13th day rituals, which are an important part of the grieving process in our culture,
· Recite a few of his favorite bhajans,
· Gather family and friends to recall and relive the memories of Vitthalbhai,
· Talk about what he meant to others, what we learned from him, his influence on the others, and memorable moments with him.

DATE: Sunday, May 4, 2025
TIME: 10:00 AM onward
PLACE: B.A.P.S. Temple
LOCATION: 275 Turnpike Rd, Westborough, MA 01581; 508-366-2277

10:00 AM - Arrival, Tea, and Connect
10:30 (Sharp) - Memorial Service, Bhajans, Sharing of Memorable Moments and Impressions,
12:30 PM Onward - Lunch

Your presence will help us celebrate Vitthalbhai's legacy and the impact he had on all of us. We hope you can join us at this memorable repast. The Bhakta family is deeply grateful for your support during this period of reflection and look forward to seeing you and sharing memories together. We would also appreciate if you forwarded this announcement to others who need to be informed.

Regards, Yogesh (on behalf of the Bhakta family) 

--submitted by Jagan Srinivasan, President, India Society of Worcester

ISW Stands in Solidarity with Victims of the Pahalgam Attack

April 26, 2025

The India Society of Worcester mourns the lives lost and offers our heartfelt condolences to the families and communities affected by the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir.

In this time of profound sorrow, our thoughts and prayers are with every individual touched by this tragedy. Though such senseless violence seeks to divide us, it only strengthens our collective determination to heal together.

We at ISW stand firmly committed to nurturing solidarity, unity, and compassion—embracing one another as we work toward a future of peace and mutual understanding.