--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

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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 

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.