Dear India Society of Worcester (ISW),

I am writing today to express my deepest gratitude to ISW and the ISW Cultural School for helping me make a lifelong dream come true for the Patel family.

In 1995, shortly after ISW launched its cultural school, my parents, Ishwar and Sushila Patel, signed my brother and me up for Gujarati classes and the cultural assembly. Back then, my mom and her friends were our Gujarati teachers. Being of Gujarati ancestry, with both of my parents speaking the language to me from before birth and throughout my life, you would think I’d take to the classes naturally—and I did. In my mind, I understood Gujarati fluently. I even have faint memories of speaking Gujarati before I ever spoke English! Though my fluency faded after being born in the UK and immigrating to the US at a young age, I have always proudly checked "yes" on job interview questionnaires asking if I knew a second language.

Attending Gujarati school with my mom and her friends as teachers was a wonderful introduction. I goofed off a lot and took the classes lightly, but when my teachers showed me the alphabet once or twice, I totally got it. I remember being so surprised that there were bilingual books published in the 1990s, and even more amused that some Gujarati letters and numbers looked like backward English ones. It actually helped me remember them! The Cultural Assembly was equally inspirational. Learning Indian Sanskrit bhajans reinforced my vocabulary and acted as a segue to learning Hindi later on, which I practiced by watching Bollywood movies and listening for words that sounded like Gujarati.

Fast forward 40+ years: after having my two children, Devdas and Sia—both intentionally given names to remind them of their Indian faith and culture—I faced the tough task of teaching my "ABCD" (American Born Confused Desi) kids Gujarati. Dev and Sia grew up mostly with me and my husband, Vipul. While Vipul speaks fluent Gujarati, he didn't have many opportunities to converse with them in it, though the kids loved seeing him speak Gujarati with my parents.

I knew there was a specific window of time to incorporate the language into their lives. We tried surrounding them with their Gujarati Bas, aunts, and uncles. Vipul and I took them to dozens of Indian restaurants, introducing them to everything from North and South Indian cuisine to Indian fusion like Bombay sandwiches, pizza, and Indo-Chinese food. I also took them to temples all over the world, from BAPS, Sai Baba, and Hare Krishna temples in the US and UK to holy sites in India.

Despite our best efforts, by the time Dev was 9 and Sia was 5, they still hadn’t picked up the language. Dev was facing some challenges in his English-speaking school, so adding Gujarati felt like too much for him. Sia was a bit more amenable; she had spent more time with my mom during infancy, and I had even listened to bhajans during pregnancy to get them ready—but it wasn't quite sticking.

We lived in Florida for a while, but the nearest language class was a grueling one-hour commute each way on Sundays. Ultimately, we moved back to Massachusetts to my childhood home for work and school, but also because of a dream: I wanted Dev and Sia to learn Indian culture and language exactly where I did—at the India Society of Worcester, where so many people knew me.

Thank God I made that choice. My children just completed two years of Gujarati school, echoing my own childhood. Vipul was fully on board, and it gave him a wonderful opportunity to see how Indian communities thrive in different parts of the country. Growing up in Daytona Beach, FL his exposure to Indian culture was primarily through family and a tight-knit community of Gujarati motel owners. I wanted to show him what it was like to learn Gujarati alongside Indians of diverse backgrounds—Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada speakers. Growing up around such a vibrant diaspora shaped me differently than my husband, and I wanted that for our family.

Every Sunday, I would wake the kids up early, pumping them up with praise on the drive over. While Dev ultimately had to drop out for personal reasons, the experience left a mark. He proudly noticed his grandparents' names on the donor plaque on the wall and would often remind us of it. I know he will always carry the lessons from the general assembly and the Indian crafts he made. I am so pleased to have shown my tough son that American and Indian cultures can live harmoniously together (we happily celebrate Christmas and Easter, and sing the US National Anthem). As for Sia, she had a blast playing with the other Indian girls. She didn’t take to the traditional clothes or dancing just yet—she complained the clothes were too itchy!—but I’ll keep dressing her up. I want her to appreciate gorgeous Indian gowns and jewelry, which I hope will look fabulous paired with a Hermès bag one day!

Names carry weight. Devdas means "disciple of God," and it reminded me of the famous movie starring Shah Rukh Khan and Aishwarya Rai, which I watched growing up in Massachusetts. Plus, with "Dev Patel" being a famous UK actor, Devdas Patel felt like the perfect blend for my son. When naming Sia, I wanted a spiritual complement. Sia is another name for the Hindu Goddess Sita from the Ramayan, but it also carries beautiful meanings in other languages, like Arabic, and shares a name with the famous Australian singer. I actually first learned the name Sia through singing bhajans at ISW, so the society truly had a profound impact on my life choices.

Now, in 2026, as I attend my kids' final class at ISW this year, I couldn't be happier. My children received the exact exposure to Gujarati and Indian culture I had hoped for, taught by a wonderful Gujarati teacher. They made friends with children of all different Indian backgrounds, some of whom they even attend public school with during the week. They saw me dress up, saw me socializing with my parents' old friends, and watched their Florida-raised dad mingle effortlessly with the Massachusetts community as if we’d all known each other forever.

I can't wait to tell my kids when they are grown that they were a part of ISW, and I hope they always feel a sense of belonging here. When I was growing up, there was no playground; now, there is a beautiful one where the kids can run around and play—even in their Indian clothes!

Thank you to everyone at ISW for these beautiful memories. I hope to see you all retiring in luxury and peace one day!

Jai Shree Krishna, Jai Shree Swaminarayan, and God Bless!

Sincerely,
Drs. Bharti, Vipul and Dev, Sia Patel
Dr. Bhartiben Patel, General Psychiatrist for FL and MA
Dr. Vipul Patel MD, Pharm D

PS. Please do publish this in an ISW newsletter or blog. Thanks. Attached to this email is some pictures of us as well!

- By Kelly Mittal

On May 2, 2026, the India Society of Worcester (ISW)’s Women Empowering Women and Professionals & Entrepreneurs Network proudly hosted The LEAP Collective, bringing together more than 120 professionals, entrepreneurs, and students for a dynamic and inspiring day centered around growth, leadership, and community. Supported by the ISW Executive Board, the event created a vibrant space for attendees to learn, connect, and engage with accomplished leaders and professionals from diverse industries.

The conference featured nine distinguished speakers who shared insights on entrepreneurship, career development, leadership, wellness, and personal growth through keynotes, workshops, and coaching sessions. Throughout the day, attendees built meaningful connections, exchanged ideas, and strengthened professional relationships in an atmosphere filled with energy, encouragement, and collaboration. A special highlight of the event was the complimentary professional headshot session sponsored by myKidzDay, LLC, with nearly 80 attendees taking advantage of the opportunity.

The event was made possible through the generous support of community sponsors and partners including AbbVie, MathAltitude School of Mathematics, Central One Federal Credit Union, Westborough Fit Body Boot Camp, The Custom Hub, Chaitrali's Kitchen, and Young Indian Professionals of New England

After months of planning and collaboration, The LEAP Collective stood as a powerful example of what can be achieved when community, ambition, and purpose come together.

- By Kirti Nagpal

We had the pleasure of hosting two esteemed authors, Manorama Chaudhary and Upendra Mishra. The discussion explored fascinating parallels between our ancient scriptures—such as Natyashastra attributed to Brahma Muni—and modern neuroscience. We reflected on how concepts like Rasa and Bhava can be understood as early interpretations of how thoughts generate emotions, which in turn shape our actions.

Manorama is the author of Ashtanayika: Tatwa O Kabita and co-author of Ashtanayika: The Romantic Heroines from the Natyashastra to Modernity. Both books explore Shringar Rasa and its enduring influence on Indian art, literature, and culture, supported by her original classical and contemporary verses.

With Upendra Mishra, the conversation focused on self-contemplation and the creation of an inner compass—encouraging us to look beyond the duality of “good” and “bad,” and instead work toward achieving happiness and peace through the mantra, “Que Sera Sera.”

Upendra Mishra is the founder of Precise Marketing & Media, Inc., a company specializing in high-impact, personalized communication strategies. He is also the founder of The Mishra Group, a diversified media company that publishes INDIA New England News, IndUS Business Journal, Boston Life Sciences Times, and Boston Real Estate Times.

He is the author of After the Fall.

After the Fall is a soulful and unflinching portrait of a man who seemed to have it all—a brilliant career, captivating romances, and a keen intellect.

I was truly fortunate to have the opportunity to moderate this event and engage in a productive and intellectually enriching one-on-one conversation with both of our esteemed authors.

The central idea behind this event was to encourage a deeper understanding of the self and to acknowledge emotions and thoughts as they arise—whether through the concepts of Rasa and Bhava explored in Ashtanayika, or through Owen’s journey in After the Fall.

I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Manorama Chaudhary and Upendra Mishra for taking the time to share their insights and giving us the opportunity to learn more about the extensive research and reflection that went into writing their books.

I would also like to thank Snehalata Kadam for collaborating with Humrahee on this project; Sapna Gera and Guru for the wonderful song recital; and Shivani for the graceful dance performance.

And of course, my sincere thanks to my Humrahee team, Sharat Amin and Narayan Sharma, for their constant support.

Article by ~ Veena Dindore

ISW Marathi class students kicked off the Maharashtra Din celebration by presenting an impressive and graceful rendition of Saraswati vandana, proudly representing the school before a packed auditorium.  Dressed in vibrant Indian traditional attire, with smart‑looking phetas tied proudly on their heads, children ages 5 to 12 sang with devotion and innocence that instantly won everyone’s hearts. Their soulful performance was a result of the dedicated practice sessions held over the past several days. This success was made possible through the collaborative efforts of teachers, who guided the students with patience and expertise, and parents, whose encouragement and active involvement ensured the children were well-prepared for a truly memorable performance.

Names of  students - Anvita Wagholikar, Arjun Sahasrabudhe, Avnee Ambade, Ayaan Sahasrabudhe,  Laksh Zadgaonkar, Maurya Pawar, Naarayani Haridas, Saanvi Khare, Swara Khare, Twarita Deshpande, Vaidik Kadu, Vihaan Deshpande, Vyom Mate

Pictures by ~ Neelu, Anjali G. , Rajesh Khare

Asian Festival on June 20th, 2026

More details here 

The Tower Hill garden in partnership with ISW is dedicating a garden plot to growing Indian herbs and vegetables. We welcome the ISW community to join us on May 19th at 9 am to 11 am  to  help desi  plants in the climate garden.  Rain date May 20th  Below is the list of possible samples

1. Momordica charantia — Bitter gourd (‘Bahadur’, ‘Gori’)
2. Withania somnifera — Ashwagandha
3. Cyamopsis tetragonoloba — Gawar bean / Cluster bean (Rajasthan type)
4. Vigna unguiculata — Cowpea (‘Usha’ yard long bean type)
5. Lablab purpureus (syn. Dolichos lablab) — Hyacinth bean (‘Bhavna’)
6. Psophocarpus tetragonolobus — winged bean
7. Amaranthus cruentus — Amaranthus (‘Lalit’)
8. Amaranthus viridis — Amaranthus (‘Totakoora’)
9. Amaranthus hypochondriacus — Amaranthus (‘Golden Giant’)
10. Amaranthus tricolor — Amaranthus (‘Vlathankara’)
11. Capsicum frutescens — Hot pepper (‘Kanthari’)
12. Capsicum annuum — Hot pepper (‘Kaddi Mirchi’)
13. Cucumis sativus L. var. sativus — Cucumber (‘Dosakkai’)
14. Cucumis sativus — Cucumber (‘Poona Kheera’)
15. Cucumis melo var. chito — Dosakkai / lemon cucumber
16. Solanum melongena — Eggplant (‘Giant of Barman’)
17. Hibiscus sabdariffa — Roselle (red-stemmed gongura)
18. Basella rubra — Malabar spinach
19. Moringa oleifera — Horseradish tree / miracle tree
20. Nigella sativa — Black-seeded culinary nigella
21. Sesamum indicum — Sesame
22. Tagetes erecta — Marigold (‘Giant Orange’)
23. Tagetes patula — Marigold (‘Durango Outback mix’)
24. Ocimum africanum — Holy basil (‘Kapoor Tulsi’)
25. Spinacia oleracea — Smooth leaf spinach (‘Lizard’)
26. Musa spp. — Banana
27. Murraya koenigii — Curry leaf tree

Steve Conaway, PhD
Director of Horticulture
He/Him
New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill
508.869.6111 x122
11 French Drive, Boylston, MA 01505

Please let Priya Vaidya or Shiamin Melville know if interested

Article by - Veena Dindore

ISW and Learnquest hosted a delightful concert of Moods and Melodies on Saturday April 26th at india center. 

Pictures by Govind Dindore

The evening began with a vibrant performance by a talented ISW Symphony vocal ensemble presenting folk based Bollywood songs mash‑up set in Raag Pahadi. Their melodious blend of familiar songs instantly set a warm, inviting tone for the night.

The evening turned into an extraordinary musical experience as the audience entered the magical world of the santoor, also called as Shat‑Tara‑Veena, played by Pt. Dhananjay Daithankar and his son, Ninad Daithankar. The hundred‑string instrument filled the hall with a calm, glowing atmosphere, its gentle flowing notes creating a peaceful mood that immediately engaged everyone.

The performance blossomed as the father–son duo presented a captivating santoor jugalbandi in raga Yaman, their melodic exchanges flowing with effortless grace and deep emotional resonance. Adding rhythmic brilliance to this blend was Dr. Rajendra Doorkar on the pakhvaj, and Mr. Sameer Puntambekar on the tabla, whose powerful, resonant strokes sent waves of goosebumps through the audience. Dr. Doorkar’s command over the instrument brought a majestic depth to the atmosphere, while Mr. Puntambekar added crisp, intricate rhythmic patterns on tabla elevating the entire ensemble.

Another thrilling moment of the evening was the jugalbandi between the two percussionists. Their playful yet masterful interaction showcased the dynamic possibilities of pakhvaj and tabla, building layers of tempo, texture, and excitement that had the audience completely engrossed.

 Dr. Doorkar further delighted the audience by demonstrating various side‑percussion instruments, showcasing the vast rhythmic sounds that enriches Indian music.

The musicians surprised the audience by slipping in cherished Bollywood classics, transforming the concert into an interactive celebration. Listeners joyfully hummed along, their voices blending with the instruments and creating a warm, shared musical moment. The fusion of classical finesse, rhythmic innovation, and nostalgic tunes made the evening truly unforgettable for everyone present.

Rajay Goyal 04/26/2026

Big B as Amitabh Bachchan is fondly known as, was the theme of this Manoranjan program held in ISW on this evening of Sunday, April 19.

Manoranjan is an ever-expanding community of music enthusiasts who sing and dance to the Karaoke numbers of Bollywood songs. Today was no different. People drove over an hour from many Massachusetts towns as well as from the states of Connecticut, Rhode Island and New Hampshire to participate and reminiscence Amitabh Bachchan’s songs.

True to its theme, everything was big and beautiful about this evening. More than 80 people attended this program with almost 38 singers.  The evening was filled with melodious songs, interspersed with readings from Big B’s favorite poetry Madhushala, a metaphorical poem about life itself.

While carrying the image of an angry young man that ruled the Bollywood cinema for almost three decades, Amitabh Bachchan’s romance on screen was often subtle, silent and introspective and at times unfulfilled and sacrificial. The songs chosen for this evening covered these complexities and paradoxes quite well.

There were at least a dozen people who came to ISW for the first time and many of them opted to become annual members. Some others sang in public for the first time. A lot of people made this event a success, right from setting up chairs to bringing snacks and creating positive vibes.

Congratulations to the Manoranjan Team of Mr. Narayan Sharma, Mr. Sharat Amin and Mr Rajay Goyal for conceiving, designing and executing this program; Mr Kaizad Patel for managing the audio ;   the sponsor of the evening dinner Ms. Trupti Patel and all the participants for making this program a grand success.

As always, Manoranjan – where singing is fun ® lived up to its reputation of bringing the community of music lovers of all talent levels and ages together in a fun way

-By Ashok Kale

Walpole, MA, March 19 - Happy New Year on March 19th? Yes - it’s the Marathi New Year, called Gudi Padwa. It signifies the arrival of spring and prosperity and is celebrated by hosting Gudi flags.

ISW Symphony and Sankalp Marathi Mandal joined forces to create new possibilities for sharing and celebrating our culture.

Indoor or outdoor, kids or adults - we’ve got you covered. The practices built up all the excitement. New players quickly learned the beats, syncing up with the rest of the team.

Was this the 39th public performance since inception in 2021? You bet. The team members were brimming with excitement and energy to mesmerize the audience.

Ready, set, go! From the moment the first beat was struck, the entire performance was magical. The kids performed inside the Sai Temple in Walpole. Their performance brought joy, admiration, appreciation, and gratitude.

The adults picked up the momentum and delivered flawless performances in a procession around the temple. There was magic in the air, and the Sankalp team members joined in with enthusiasm - fully engaged in performing lezim and cheering. Once more, and then another, and another - no one wanted it to end. We’ve never had so many encores. The palakhi brought devotion to the entire performance, and the traditional Marathi costumes evoked the spirit of Maharashtra.

You had to be there to believe it! What a way to celebrate Gudi Padwa, a new partnership, and our culture. The pictures offer a glimpse of this joyful experience.

A big thank you to the Sankalp team for being wonderful hosts and bringing a large, energetic audience.

As always, kudos to the Symphony DTL team for bringing in new participants, new beats, renewed energy, and reaching new heights.

The Spring Garba event at ISW held on 11th April 2026 was a vibrant and memorable celebration that beautifully brought the community together across generations. From energetic teenagers to enthusiastic adults, the event created a lively space where everyone could connect, celebrate, and immerse themselves in cultural traditions.

The evening started with Ganesh Vandana shlok by Radhi Navani and then the rhythmic beats from DJ Raunak of garba music set the tone, drawing people in and encouraging even first-time attendees to join the circle. Evening  was filled with color, music, and joy as participants dressed in traditional attire gathered on the dance floor. Laughter and smiles were everywhere, as families, friends, and new acquaintances danced side by side, creating a true sense of unity.

What made the event especially successful was its inclusivity. Teenagers brought energy and excitement, while adults contributed experience and warmth, resulting in a dynamic and welcoming atmosphere.

Beyond the dance floor, the event also offered delicious food by Chennai Express, some fun shopping with vendors Raas Ritva - who offered exquisite jewelry & clothing and Festive Collections that had amazing decor and gift items. 

This event was spear headed by Cultural committee volunteer Tejal Doshi under the guidance of Cultural committee chairs Smita Manjrekar and Komal Tanna along with her fellow members ,Rashi Khanna, Neha Ujlayan, Preeti Khilnani, Snehalata Kadam and other CC members behind scenes who all made sure the cultural festivities brought together a reason to reconnect with familiar faces, and meet new members of the community. Big shout out to our President Jagan Srinivasan and EB members Anjali Paranjape & Sharat Amin for always helping a hand.

The shared experience fostered a sense of belonging and pride, reminding everyone of the importance of cultural traditions in bringing people together.

Overall, the Spring Garba at ISW was more than just an event—it was a celebration of community spirit, cultural richness, and joyful togetherness. Its success was reflected in the smiles, the energy, and the strong sense of connection that lingered long after the music ended.

Check out photos here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/YxcwbUT4R6XmLivMA

~ Komal Tanna

Cultural Committee Co-Chair