ISW Durga Puja

By Shivangi Das Gupta

Durga puja is an annual celebration that takes place every October and is a cultivation of social, cultural and religious gathering. In this interview Shivangi asks Barin Bando about what it means to celebrate and experience this event.

Barin Bando says that the reason Durga puja is celebrated in October is because it symbolizes the best time of the year: when monsoon is over, winter is ahead and harvesting has just been done. The five days of celebration are Sashti, Saptami, Ashtami, Nabami and Dashami. The first day signifies the welcoming of Ma Durga and her four children into her paternal house. On this day the deity is unveiled. On the second day, Saptami, the nine forms of Durga are worshipped. The third day celebrates the day Durga killed Mahishasura the demon. On Nabami goddess Durga and her daughters are celebrated and showered with gifts. And on the last and final day the Durga idol is immersed into the Ganges River and married women partake in Sindhur khela, where women play with vermillion to show respect and gratitude.

Durga puja is happening all over America on a larger scale because of the influx of Indians, but Barin Bando mentions how it can be easy to forget the source of this fun. Indian society has given us the opportunity to experience the social aspect while maintaining originality. It is quite different from India where those who cannot travel to different parts of India may have a limited exposure to the different Navratri/Durga puja/Ganesh Chathurthi celebrations. But with the wide range of diverse celebrations in America, a door is opened for everyone to experience different traditions.

The different activities like language school and Humrahee and what ISW has to offer is the magnet which attracts people to come and celebrate this event. The cultural performances, the well performed puja, and the opportunity to mingle with family and friends is what people look forward to when attending and this is why it is important to have all three aspects. This year Barin Bando invited six singers who are part of the Indian Ensemble in the Berklee College of Music, an internationally acclaimed music school located in Boston who performed a beautiful collection on the Nabami day. Several accomplished dancers who completed their arangetram were also invited to showcase their talent on stage at ISW Durga puja by portraying items that told the stories of Ma Durga.

Barin Bando finishes with some childhood memories of Durga puja in Kolkata. He mentions it as feeling like a “happy, good time”. He specifically remembers going to a pandal with his grandma where he would watch her offer her prayers to God and would do the same. The music in the air and the rhythm of the dhak are also some fond memories for him. There is generally less pressure in school, families are in good spirits no matter their situation and helping each other out.

He hopes this festivity continues to grow with celebrity and local talents at ISW in years to come and wishes to see it spread to communities outside the Bengali community.

New Job, New Country! Embracing and Empowering A Multi-Cultural Work Environment

An event organized by ISW WEW- Women Empowering Women

September 10^th 2022

This event brought together women from different professional backgrounds to discuss how they succeeded in their personal and professional endeavors when they moved to the US.

Dr. Saritha Venkatesh, a practicing OB/GYN in India, switched her professional trajectory by joining pharmacovigilance and drug safety in pharma industry after moving to Unites States. She commented on never losing your identity in any environment.

Vishakha Khamankar, a bank officer in India moved to the US to start her new family. Starting as a volunteer at the public school system, she is currently a personal financial representative. Her two cents was that family caretaking and professional career can go hand in hand.

Madhavi Vaddi, a senior architect, IT by profession was able to maintain her professional career after hers move to US. She mentioned that a strong family support was crucial for her success. She highlighted that staying strong and making your voice heard is crucial steps that helps you grow.

Suchitra Shinde had her own successful architecture business in India before moving to US. Here, she decided to switch to IT field as she found the flexible work-life balance helped her keep moving forward. She mentioned the need to maintain the enthusiasm of being always a learner.

Kiran Kewalramani was in financial sector after completing her MBA in India. After her move, cooking and celebrating with family and friends helped her initially before she found her calling in the workforce as a financial manager.

All panelists discussed about unintentional and unconscious biases against women and how we need more awareness of this issue. They reiterated the point of being strong and having a strong support network of family and friends that helped them succeed. The panelists and the audience discussed how everyone’s journey was their fingerprint within the community and sharing our stories can help women empower themselves to learn from each one of us.

Sanedo! Sanedo! Lal lal Sanedo….the song echoed at ISW’s Garba events on September 30th and October 1st 2022. 

The community came together to celebrate the feminine form of divinity Maa Durga and danced to the family favorite tune of Sanedo. Men and women in their most colorful and beautiful Kurtas and Chaniya Cholis sprung up from their spots and landed spinning, dancing with swift turns, swinging arms and short, energetic hops on the Sanedo beat. 

Every year ISW celebrates the spirit of Navratri by honoring, worshiping, and celebrating the Hindu deity Maa Durga (also known as Maa Shakti). This year as well, ISW celebrated 2 nights of Navratri Garba. Friday night had live traditional garba music by Jhankar, and Saturday night was foot tapping music by DJ Rohann. Both nights were truly breathtaking! There was not a dull moment. Everything from the music played to the enthusiasm of people from various cultural backgrounds constantly hopping and skipping in concentric circles on Garba songs. 

Garba night is incomplete without Maa Durga’s Aarti. ISW’s committee executed this in the most traditional way; on Friday by worshiping Durga Idol in India Center; and on Saturday, by worshiping the clay lantern with a light inside, called a garbha deep ("womb lamp"). The vessel itself is a symbol of the body, within whom divinity (in the form of the Goddess or Devi) resides. Garba is danced around this symbol to honor the fact that all humans have the divine energy of Devi within them. And the circles symbolize the cycle of life. 

What kept the bazaar vibe going was traditional vendors and delicious Indian food.   

Many of us have grown up in India playing garba every year for Navratri. ISW’s Garba events rekindle the joy of playing garba here in the United States and recreate the same energy and vibe far away from homeland. The best part is that we are sharing that culture with our younger generation who were seen having as much fun as anyone else.

ISW would like to thank all our volunteers for helping us organize such amazing dandiya nights. And we would like to thank YOU, our community at large, for coming to celebrate with us.

written by  Sonam Ahuja and Amita Rao

ISW Cultural Committee Members

A recap of the ISW Gala 2022 - Jalsa with Sudesh Bhosle

By ISW eSandesh Youth Reporter, Tharegha Manoharan

10 years ago. The same, breathtaking place. The same, encouraging crowd. The India Society of Worcester (ISW) proudly celebrated their success in fulfilling their vow for a bigger, better center for the community this past Saturday, September 17th. A decade ago, ISW took their first steps towards a new center at a similar gala during their 50th year celebration. Today , ISW successfully achieved their dream of expanding their center in Shrewsbury doubling from 4000 to 10,000 square feet!

To honor this accomplishment, which was achieved flawlessly despite a worldwide pandemic, an impressive gathering of over 250 patrons met at Worcester’s historic Mechanics Hall celebrating this outstanding feat and displaying their support accompanied by the one and only Shri. Sudesh Bhosle, the inimitable voice of Amitabh Bachhan.

The event started with a red carpet welcome and complimentary valet service for guests, enthusiastically greeted by ISW volunteers. Upon entering, a commemorative photo portrait was taken as a way to remember this exciting evening on the magnificent staircase. Many guests stopped by the Silent Auction room, a first for ISW, and the Youth Room, which was a welcome respite for younger kids.  As guests arrived in the main hall for the cocktail reception, it was a sight to see – friends catching up with one another, meeting new people, enjoying the bright atmosphere, especially at an event this grand after so many years. 

Speaking to the many donors who supported the society, it was apparent how the society played an important role in maintaining community connections. For many, the India Society of Worcester became one of the first places to connect with others. Now decades later the growth of ISW is a dream come true mainly due to the hard work of all its volunteers over these past years, who have transformed this mere “community center” into a special place for the ISW family. From its humble beginnings when dance and singing lessons had to be held in someone’s garage to the bustling, large ISW Center today fills their chests with pride.

Talking to the various people contributing to an event like this, it made me realize how much appreciation we had for one another. Long time ISW member, Mr. Barin Bando, emphasized how much effort had to be put in to plan such a gala. He also mentioned how everyone attending the gala was always there to lend a hand, whether it be in the past or the present. Gala Chair, Shiamin Melville, said that it was a fabulous evening that was made possible with the dedication and effort of the numerous ISW volunteers.

This gala not only celebrated the success of ISW’s expansion, but also the accomplishment of most of their ISW Vision 2020 goals by creating a a home away from home. As Mr. Puneet Kohli, president of ISW, said, “The ride just keeps getting better and better.” He attests to this by comparing ISW’s accomplishments today with where it was when he first joined 18 years ago. Mr. Balki Chanrakasan, ISW Secretary, takes great pride in declaring how ISW has reached a whole other level to truly connect to the entire community, breaking all social barriers, as proved by events such as this gala.

The social hour was followed by a delicious dinner consisting of a variety of mouthwatering selections catered by Bawarchi and was followed by a video by Sandeep Shah that summed up the efforts and achievements of ISW. With the new ISW Center, the video highlighted how ISW truly was the place where its members could learn, play, celebrate, grow, help others in the community.

Mr. Puneet Kohli took the stage reminiscing about the promises made at the 2013 gala to grow ISW, the first step in that direction with the bhoomi puja, and the challenges of construction during the covid pandemic. Through it all, friends and ISW members called to encourage the team to continue the important work. With their support and encouragement, ISW was able to successfully open the doors of the newly expanded center in 2021 fulfilling their commitment to the community: to families, to kids, the youth, and their senior supporters. Since its opening, ISW has already held over a hundred events at the new center! Beyond celebrating cultural events, Free Health Stop and returning to in person ISW School's language classes, the new center allows ISW to bring the community together with a range of activities from ISW Symphony in music, art and creative projects; ISW University with a range of offerings from 3D printing to tutoring; ISW Professional and Entrepreneurial Network with topical panels and discussions; ISW Sports offering activities from pickleball to chess; and ISW Women Empowering Women bringing together women to share experiences and encourage each other’s endeavors. Not to forget the Humrahee meetings returned with new  activities for the young at heart.

Mr. Sanjay Shah, the chair for the fundraising committee for ISW, thanked the supporters and donors, many who were in the room, for their support. This was shown by the fact over half the initial project estimate was raised in 2018 the year the project was launched. He acknowledged that ISW has been built on the shoulders of volunteers, many present at the gala, along with community members who have contributed to the growth of ISW.

This led to the main event of night, the long-awaited performance of the one and only Mr. Sudesh Bhosle, a playback singer for countless Bollywood films, and especially known for his enthusiastic rendering of favorite songs. He was joined by his son, Mr. Siddhanth, and accompanied by Mrs. Sunita Kapur, her daughters and a team of musicians that came from New Jersey. A special addition to this talented group, was ISW’s own Mrs. Sarita Deshpande. The performers enchanted the audiences’ heart, and drew them towards the stage, where they broke into dance to the popular, energetic songs. After a short break to replenish their energy with desserts and tea, the fun-filled event carried on till 11pm.

The most heart-warming moment for me was my conversation with Mr. Shyam Sharma, one of the founders of the India Society of Worcester back in 1962 when there were a mere 13 Indians in the area. Beginning as the Indian Association and growing into ISW, the number of people involved has grown from 13 to over 10,000 today. Mr. Sharma describes himself as part of the history of ISW, watching the physical growth of the community, supporting each other through different needs, and celebrating with each other. It doesn’t matter how you first connected to ISW, it always provides opportunities to create more connections.

ISW Durga Puja 2022   Five days of celebrations

Scroll down and click on the PUJA  you wish to attend

Since there are multiple days/ events, a separate registration is needed for each day  It will help us in setting up. Thanks

MAHA SASTHI PUJA | Saturday, Oct 1

10am - 1pm: Pratima decoration, doors are open for worshippers evening

SAPTAMI PUJA | Sunday, Oct 2  

12:30 - 2pm: Saptami Puja

2pm Prasad distribution

5.30pm - 7pm Evening aarti and Puspanjali, Bhajan Shradha Agarwal

7pm - 9pm Cultural program followed by dinner

Supriyo Datta-Vocalist, Indranil Mallick-Tabla,  Oindrila Roy Mallick-Dance

Dinner contribution $20 family and children under 16, $10 per person

MAHA ASHTMAI PUJA | Monday, Oct 3

11am Puja performed by Pandit Shiv Ram Sharma 6pm - Talented musicians from Berklee School of music, Vocalists Prithvi Prakash and Nandini Samanta, Tabla Upasak Mukherjee, Violin Pranav Swaroop and Hana Uwai on Keyboard.

Dinner contribution $20 family and children under 16, $10 per person

MAHA NABAMI PUJA | Tuesday, Oct 4

12pm - Puja & Prashad

6pm Musical program by local talents.

DASHAMI PUJA | Wednesday, Oct 5 

11 am Visarjan, Ladies sindoor ceremony

508-330-9973 Nisha Bawa 508-864-9875 Barin Bando

Any questions contact nishabawa60@gmail.com

.Nisha Bawa, Chair, ISW Religious Committee.

For more info, click here

The versatile genius Sudesh Bhosle is coming to perform at ‘Jalsa - a melange of old and new Bollywood songs’ for ISW Gala 2022 event. The ‘Jalsa’ is happening  at Mechanic’s Hall on September 17, 2022.  The legendary singer is heading our way and this entertaining show is   not to be missed.

Popularly known as ‘voice of Amitabh Bachhan’ - Mr. Bhosle  has sung many songs for Mr. Bachhan. He can’t get off the stage without singing one of the most favored songs `Jumma Chumma De De from the movie ‘Hum’ (1991). His brilliant mimicry of numerous Bollywood stars leaves his fans asking for more. Sudesh Bhosle will be bringing his band with singer Sunita Kapur (New Jersey)

  Since singing for the film Zalzala (1988) and Ghatothkach in 2008. Bhosle is the producer and judge on K For Kishore, a singing contest on Sony Entertainment Television. He has sung many famous Bollywood songs for Amitabh Bachchan including "Jumma chumma de" from 1991 movie Hum, "Meri Makhna Meri Soniye" from Baghban and others. His brilliant mimicry of numerous Bollywood stars leaves his fans asking for more.  When he is on stage, there is no need for others.

 We would love for you to join us, enjoy the stunning ambience at Mechanics Hall with great entertainment and food. You will remember this for a long time

 ‘Jalsa - for ISW Gala 2022 is a fundraising event. Fundraising has been underway since 2013 for our own India Center expansion.  We are sure you have seen the progress over the last several years with India Center Expansion. What you may not know is that the building and the facility you see have been made possible by the generosity of our community. The original expansion was planned at a cost of $1.7 million and would have been good for the short term, but we would have felt constrained in a few years. The community encouraged us to go for long term needs, and the facilities you see now were put together at a cost of $2.55 million. Our experience of last year tells us that this was a smart decision. The Center is humming with activities geared for all members of our community. 

The community has continued to support ISW with their financial support. The expansion has been completed with a loan from a bank and we would like to pay it off at our earliest. The ‘Jalsa - ISW Gala 2022’ program will include cocktail hour, dinner, music, and dancing. We need your support to make this event successful and pay off a significant portion of the loan

 Program:

• Cocktail hour at 5.30 pm

• Dinner at 6.30 pm

• Musical program and dancing to follow

Pledge levels and form

We have multiple pledge levels as shown on the pledge form. Along with your donations we have a nominal charge of $100 per person to cover the cost of dinner and program. Two persons are allowed for each donation. Event will have assigned seating. We are offering complimentary parking and care in the Youth Room.

The following joint statement was released by Indian community organizations of New England in response to the recent acts of hate and violence in Plano Texas

Condemnation of Hate and Violence – From New England Asian American Organizations

We the representatives of Indian American organizations in New England and our allies, strongly condemn the recent act of anti-Asian violence in Plano, Texas. We are very disturbed by this and recently increased acts of violence and hate crimes against Indians, South Asians, and Asian Americans in general. We do commend the Plano Police department for responding to the incident with urgency and understanding.

Asian Americans, like all other immigrants, have made significant contributions to this great land despite facing ongoing prejudice based on accents, color, religion, or perceptions of leadership or other abilities.

We believe in the fair treatment of all human beings regardless of age, education level, race, ethnicity, gender expression and identity, nationality, national origin, creed, accent, physical and mental ability, political and religious stance, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, socioeconomic status, veteran status, profession, or any other human differences.

We unequivocally and unapologetically condemn the divisive forces of hate, inequity, and injustice. We stand united in love and peace and stand against racist, discriminatory, violent acts against any community.

Together, we say to those who are victims of such acts, “We see you; we hear you; we stand with you.”

Respectfully and in solidarity

India Association of Greater Boston (IAGB)           India Society of Worcester (ISW)

Saheli           Boston Blackstone Valley India Society, Boston Chapter

ADL New England           North America Telugu Society, Boston Chapter

Asian Community Fund           India Association of New Hampshire

Colette Phillips, Founder Get Konnected

Natick’s annual Multicultural Day celebrates the many cultures within the community through food, music, dance, and performances. Organized by the Natick Center Cultural District, this year’s event was the sixth annual Multicultural Day and ISW Symphony’s Dhol-Tasha group performed at the event as one of the invited participants.

Held in person after a couple of years online, the Common Street Spiritual Center in Natick Center hosted performances from diverse cultures including performances by the Natick India Group, traditional Irish dance, classical Chinese Dance and Story, Qi Gong exercise, Klemzer and Drum Nomad bands, and Natick Praying Indians. Symphony’s Dhol-Tasha performance was held outdoors on the adjacent Natick Commons.

The Dhol Tasha group performed a routine that featured five different styles of beats. In addition to traditional beats from Maharashtra, it also included a garba style beat from Gujarat and a bhangra style beat from Punjab. The audience on the Natick Commons was enthralled by the energetic beats. Kids, adults, and grandparents alike erupted in a spontaneous dance participation. Some enthusiastic audience members even played the “lejhim”, danced the “jhenda”, and played the “jhanj” alongside the drumbeat, creating a fabulous “Symphony”.

India's 75th Independence Day celebration - ISW (India Society of Worcester)

     Remembering our past is extremely important. But we also have to think about building our future. Let's do everything to keep our freedom and carry it through the years. Happy Independence Day!"

As the above quote says ISW is here to remember our past couple years of pandemic but to think positive and spread the happiness and build our future by gathering our community together to celebrate our Independence Day after 2 years of gap due to COVID-19.

  India's 75th Independence Day was celebrated by our ISW community at the grand venue of DCU Center-Worcester past Saturday, (August 6th). 

   The program was filled up with captivating cultural programs, Ethnic shopping vendors and local business booths, Play area for kids, Art fair, Food vendors, Health stop and many more attractions.

   The entire day's event kicked off by an incredible Parade consisting of 'Dhol Tasha Lezim' performance by our community volunteer enthusiasts. Great formations of Lezim players and Dhol Tasha players caught the eye of each of the spectators there.

  This year's cultural program theme was 'Panchatatva - 5 elements of nature - Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Space. The stage performances included presentations by different groups like Natyamani School of Dance, Ekta's Dance Academy, Aangikam Dance Academy, Performing arts of New England, ISW Cultural committee, Bolly Beatzz, etc. Some admirable performances also involved our Humrahee group where seniors who are young at heart stepped up the stage to celebrate an independence by singing medley of Patriotic songs in full energy and enthusiasm. 

  The Bazaar section of this event was extremely appreciated by attendees where one could enjoy the shopping of ethnic clothings and accessories from local business, one could enjoy visiting many non profit organization booth with many free giveaways or get  more information of their work.  Many folks enjoyed and loved eating delicious Indian food from multiple food vendors like Bawarchi and Chennai Express.

  The kids zone near the entrance of the DCU center had lots of fun elements such as cotton candy, popcorn, play area, face painting and more. 

  This year ISW put forth beautiful artwork done by our community artists and some professional artists. The art fair had a lot of artistic bags, purses, architectural designed paintings, some great acrylic paintings, and madhubani paintings, etc. 

   One of our ISW's unique features of such events is a booth for ISW Health Stop.  ISW Health Stop offered free COVID vaccines during this event and many attendees took advantage of the same.

   The guest of honor for the event was Worcester Mayor Joseph Petty who graciously handed out  ISW scholarships to the youth who had achieved academic as well community work excellence in their high school career. 

 The full day event ran from 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM with more than 3000 attendees at the DCU center.

  Around 35 committee members and more than 100 volunteers were working towards this event for 3 months. 

  The organization has earned one more  successful feather in their  hat. Thanks to all the volunteers, participants and vendors.

 Big shout out to the sponsors of this event - DCU Bank, UNI Bank, eClinicalWorks, and Webster five.

  Jai Hind! 

PC credit - Anil Nair

Click here to view the pictures of the event

UPCOMING EVENTS for ISW U, Chess, 3D, Spanish, Vedic Math, Geometry & Probability. Late summer classes in August

Hi all, thanks to our wonderful volunteers, we still offering a variety of classes even now, do check it out 

UPCOMING EVENTS  INDIA CENTER 152 Main Street, Shrewsbury, MA
ISWU & ISW Sports: Chess Beginners & Intermediate Classes (in person)
8 Aug 2022 3:00 PM 

ISWU Spanish classes camp (in person) 8th graders
8 Aug 2022 4:00 PM  

ISWU and IIT AGNE: Summer 3D Printing Workshop Grade 1+
10 Aug 2022 6:00 PM  
 

ISWU Online Intro Vedic Math for Grade 3 and up, gym for the brain 

19 Aug 2022 10:00 AM  

ISWU  SAT classes Geometry and Probability

3 Sept 2022 8:00 AM  

ISW U Team 

Usha Tanvi & Shiamin 

508-353-4316