ISW Graduation Satsang was held on June 30, 2024

Puja was conducted by Usha Verma, outside on our Patio, and our 2024 graduates were felicitated by friends and their family.  Prasad sponsored by Sahdev and Carolyn Passey. 

Religion Team

Geetanjali, Nisha and Carolyn

---submitted by Kirti Nagpal

India society of Worcester’s Humrahi group in collaboration with VFS ,a nonprofit organization from South Easton hosted a talent show for seniors on 6/22/24.

The event was held at Indian center in Shrewsbury.It was attended by people from different parts of New England area.

The energy and vigor that our senior citizens brought to the stage was incredible .

Our Humrahi group and VFS members showcased diverse range of talents including melodious singing ,graceful dancing ,heartlfelt poetry, nostalgic dialogue narration , ballroom dancing , fashion walk and so on .We even had a participant who did tarot card reading for the people who attended the event. All the performances were well received .The group dance and melody show was a true testament of bonding and camaraderie between our Humrahi members.

The event including the Garba dance was very lively and entertaining so much so that the audience jumped in and started to dance to the beats of “Dholida “Bollywood song .

The interesting element was that some teenagers from the party at our rental hall were so enthralled by our seniors dancing to peppy songs that they also joined in and had their own groovy moves to our Kishore Kumar and Asha Bhonsle songs.

Rajay Goel and Haren Ji 's soulful singing ,Sharat ji ‘s light-hearted and humorous performance, Amita ji and Vijay ji's impressive dance moves ,Monie ji's elegant and graceful ball room dance routine and Veena Kohli 's and Raj Nagpal's poetry rich in wisdom are a few highlights of the event .

The whole collaboration between ISW and VFS was an astounding success evident by the energetic and uplifting aura felt at the event .

Our very talented MCs Mr Narayan Sharma and Ms Manisha Parmar kept the show entertaining and engaging for the audience .

I would also like to acknowledge all our volunteers whose efforts, and dedication helped us coordinate this event flawlessly.

We would like to express our gratitude to Ms Pratima Penumarthy and Ramakrishna Penumarthy for their altrustic efforts and dedication for the seniors in our community. We hope to continue our alliance with VFS towards our mutual goal and vision of empowering our seniors and helping them live life to the fullest.

Award ceremony held as part of Graduation Satsang on June 30, 2024

“The heart of a volunteer is not measured in size, but by the depth of the commitment to make a difference in the lives of others.” - DeAnn Hollis.

Facebook pictures Link

Congratulations on the PVSA award for volunteer work in 2023. You dedication to volunteer work is indeed exemplary, and ISW recognizes your hard work

2023 Teens 11-15
1. Gold Aditi Jayendran
2. Gold Arush Jagan
3. Gold Mahati Jayendran
4. Gold Sohan Hegde
5. Silver Priancka Ika
6. Bronze Ayan Mishra
2023 Young Adults 16-25
1. Gold Aadi Dixit
2. Gold Dhruv Jagan
3. Gold Kunal Chauhan
4. Gold Maurya Virmani
5. Gold Tanushree Nekenti
6. Gold Tara Chintapalli
7. Silver Aaditya Yadav
8. Bronze Prachet Mahawar
9. Bronze Samvriddhi Shukla

2023 Adults 25+
1. Gold Ekta Jain
2. Gold Geetanjali Virmani
3. Bronze Ashwani Virmani
4. Bronze Priya Vaidya

---submitted by Usha Yadav.

On June 21st ISW celebrated International Yoga Day workshop. The theme for this year was ‘Yoga for self and society’ this highlight that the benefit of yoga practice not only enhance personal health and well-being , but it also helps foster positive awareness and participation as a society. Community members came together at the ISW center to enjoy yoga despite the heavy rains.

The workshop began indoors with a series of yoga poses, sun salutation and an introduction to varieties of breathing techniques. Narendra ji our yoga instructor demonstrated and explained about the Jal-Nethi technique. He explained how practicing jal-nethi helps people with allergies as these techniques help cleanse the nostrils and daily practice helps prevent colds/allergies in kids and adults. He ended the session with teaching some meditation techniques and ‘Om’ chanting.

This yoga workshop was run by our amazing volunteer Yoga instructor Narendra Karapurkar and the event was coordinated by Usha Yadav. More than 50 people participated in this event and practiced yoga, pranayama and learned about Jal-Nethi techniques.

Thanks to all who participated in this workshop.

Submitted by: Rajoo Ananth

Shantha Rangaswamy, a pioneering figure in Indian women's cricket was hosted by ISW on June 23, 2024 with help from Sharat Amin and women’s cricket coach Meera Subramanian. It was a fantastic open-hearted meeting with a humble, yet very significant cricket trailblazing and inspiring captain of the Indian cricket with so many awards and titles. It left us all in awe and wonder if we can try to inspire our US women’s teams towards world class performances with our community supports.

Shantha Rangaswamy became the first captain of the Indian women's cricket team in 1976 and led India to its first Test victory against the West Indies in the same year. She was the first Indian woman cricketer to score a Test century, achieving this milestone against New Zealand in 1977. As an all-rounder, Rangaswamy played 16 Test matches, scoring 750 runs at an average of 32.60 and taking 21 wickets. She also played 19 ODIs, scoring 287 runs and taking 12 wickets. She was the first woman cricketer to receive the Arjuna Award in 1976. In 2017, she became the first recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award for Women by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). After her playing career, Rangaswamy continued to contribute to cricket as a coach, selector, and commentator. She also became the first Indian female cricketer to represent the Indian Cricketers’ Association and the BCCI Apex Council in 2019.

Q and A with audience was very interactive and entertaining with inside stories from her life experiences. She stated that her secret to success was her passion for the game and full support from her family. She assured the audience that she will continue to offer all her expertise to enhance women’s cricket all over the world including our coach Meera Subramanian’s local cricket team Chikaddees in Massachusetts.

In Boston's Faneuil Hall, Indian music's tale,

ISW's rhythms and melodies set sail.

Dhol-Tasha-Lezim, percussion's beat,

ISW's Vocal group, a mesmerizing feat.

The nice sunny afternoon of Saturday June 15 dazzled the audience with energetic drumming and synchronized movements of more than 40 ISW Symphony Performers. The folks dressed in colorful traditional attire added to the festive atmosphere. Their lively beats echoed through the marketplace, capturing the essence of Indian celebrations and festivals. Adding to the cadenced delight, the ISW Vocal group showcased their talent with energetic renditions contemporary Indian Film songs by A.R Rahaman. Their harmonious voices filled the air, complementing the rhythmic beats of the Dhol-Tasha-Lezim ensemble.

The event drew a diverse crowd of locals and tourists, all eager to experience the cultural richness of India right in the heart of Boston. Spectators were seen tapping their feet and swaying along to the infectious rhythms, creating a joyful and inclusive atmosphere. Faneuil Hall Marketplace, with its historic significance as a hub of cultural exchange, provided a perfect backdrop for this celebration of Indian heritage. The performance not only entertained but also highlighted the contributions of the Indian American community in Worcester to Massachusetts' cultural landscape.

As the sun set on the marketplace, the echoes of applause resonated, reflecting the audience's appreciation for the captivating performance by the ISW. The event served as a reminder of the power of music to unite people across cultures and create memorable experiences.

The Faneuil Market Place, originally constructed as a town government building and public hall for concerts and ceremonies, was alive with music, melody, rhythm, colors, and vibrant energy courtesy of the enthusiastic volunteers from the ISW (India Society of Worcester) Symphony/Vocal group. Spectators were captivated by the performance, joining in by dancing, waving flags, playing handheld jingling cymbals, singing along to familiar songs, and becoming part of the ISW troupe.

Jai Ho!

Please see the pictures and videos taken by  Shruti Sivashankar, Atul Deshpande

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/10Qgmh8Om85woX4iYdUl4xzS-mn_S6HG6?usp=drive_link 

submitted by Snehalata Kadam

The “Women Who Win” book launch on Saturday was a success! After a lovely dance celebrating what it means to be a woman, the panel discussion began. The panel featured the three authors of the book — Dr. Manju Sheth, Dr. Deepa Jhaveri, and Shaleen Sheth, the two guests of honor, Navjot and Nithya Singh, and was moderated by Dr. Kathryn Moncrief and myself.

“Women Who Win,” written during the pandemic, is a collection of inspirational stories from a variety of women across the globe, from all kinds of fields and backgrounds. What makes this book so special is the fact that the women featured in this book are women you would encounter in your everyday life — a friend, a neighbor, a teacher, someone in your town — but their passions, perseverance, and resilience still leap off the page. During the panel, we discussed those themes, the stories that really resonated with us, the process of researching and putting together a book from start to finish, and the importance of DEI and women’s empowerment in today’s world — particularly in the healthcare industry. The event ended with a confidence walk, and an ice cream and snacks social.

Thank you to all who attended, and please stay tuned for the next Women Empowering Women event — A power packed ramp walk of Confidence on August 24, 2024!

Recap: We all met at Polar Park on Friday evening, kids were excited.  ISW School sang the Indian National Anthem beautifully, and Dr Passey, Ushaji and Tanvi Gahlot were recognized for their volunteer work.  On arrival, we were greeted by DJ Raunak music at the Plaza, and delicious  desi food by Peppers, Northboro. Flag bearers Sharat & Shiamin, and  singers Diya, Carter & Ishan  all contributed to the festivites. Jagan shared info about ISW in a radio interview.  As part of  pregame performance, Ekta Dance Academy danced to fun bollywood beats. Woo Sox promoted the awesome work done by ISW on screen.  It was a proud moment for Indian Heritage night

For pictures,  do click here

For Details on ISW School National Anthem, click here and here  (ask for access

Pregame info:

ISW  will be recognized as Heart of Worcester  Woo Sox Recognizes a non-profit for their work in the community

Tickets at https://iswonline.org/event-5666636

Dr Passey  honored as Hometown Hero CFP Honors an individual for service to their town, city, community
Usha Verma  celebrated for Specialty Recognition Celebrates a special individual on the field
Tanvi Gahlot Ceremonial First Pitch
ISW School will sing National Anthem and High Five Tunnel
Ekta Dance Academy performs  field performance
Food by Peppers, Northboro
DJ Raunak  Desi music Polar Park DCU Plaza Performance/DJ

Hometown Hero CFP, Honors an individual for service to their town, city, community

Dr Sahdev Passey, MD, is a graduate of Gandhi Medical College, Bhopal, India. He arrived in the U.S. in 1973 and has spent his whole professional medical career in the Worcester. He has been in private practice of pediatrics in Worcester since 1978. Dr. Passey is, or has been, an active volunteer with numerous professional, Political and social organizations, including: Director of Free Health Stop in Shrewsbury, since 2005; President of the India Society of Worcester; President of the Indo- American Forum for Political Education; President of the Indian Medical Association of New England, President of the Worcester District Medical Society, He has also served as Trustee of Massachusetts Medical Society, he is a one of the founding Directors of the South-East Asian Coalition of Central Mass and a Community Trustee of the United Way of Central MA, He has received the Community Physician of the Year and Senior Physician Volunteer of the year Awards from the Mass Medical Society and the Worcester District Society, a key to the City of Worcester, a Governor's Citation for his Community Service in Massachusetts and a Life time Achievement Award for his volunteer services from President Biden (PVSA). He attributes his accomplishment to his wife Carolyn and their children (Michael, Katelyn and Sean) and grandchildren for their sacrifices, support and help.

Specialty Recognition: Celebrates a special individual on the field

Usha Verma, M.A., LSW, is a sitarist, volunteer and advocate for elders living in Auburn, Massachusetts. Usha graduated with distinction from Punjab University in Chandigarh, India with a Masters of Liberal Arts specializing in Music. In 1982, Usha immigrated to the United States and raised her family. She continued to give sitar performances at various venues in Massachusetts as well as other nearby states. Ms. Verma served as a teacher, teaching the language and devotional songs, lyrics and their meanings using Indian Semi-Classical Music at the India Society of Worcester Cultural School for students of all ages.

Ms Verma is a licensed social worker, working several years to serve the elders in the local community and assisting adults with special needs. She has been an active member of the India Society of Worcester where she has served as the Chairperson for the Crisis Center for more than 15 years. Usha maintained her spirit of helping others by supporting victims of domestic violence through Saheli, a Massachusetts based organization for South Asian women.

Usha currently is employed as an outreach coordinator, a social worker at Auburn Senior Center and has been a volunteer for Sewa International for the last 5 years. She credits her mother Shyam Kanta Sood and father Mohinder Nath Sood for instilling a passion in her for helping those in need of support

Ceremonial First Pitch

Tanvi Gahlot has graduated from Westboro High School She exemplifies qualities of a youngster who stands out amongst her peers, as a Student teacher, and President and Vice President of the Indian Youth Group at ISW

----submitted by Kirti Nagpal

We had a very relaxing yoga session on 5/25/24 under the guidance of one of the prominent Yoga instructors in our community Mrs. Alka Yadav Mehta.

We started the session with Anulom Vilom and Uijayi breathing exercises followed by gentle stretching exercises while seated on the chair .After that Alka ji guided us through a very innovative and creative way of practicing Surya Namaskar using chair as a support .Throughout the session the emphasis was on mindfulness and being present in the moment. The session ended with a guided meditation and body scan leaving us all very refreshed and rejuvenated. Alka ji also highlighted all the positive and long-term effects of daily yoga practice in controlling high blood pressure , diabetes and even chronic pain .Regular yoga can boost energy levels by improving circulation and stimulating the nervous system. It helps improve focus and enhance mental clarity.

After the calming and relaxing Yoga session we dived into Manoranjan- the Karaoke session for our emotional wellbeing. We all came together to sing and dance and enjoy music. The finale was a short group dance video we recorded on a very popular song from yester years!!

It was a very exciting and fun filled event on the whole.

submitted by Snehal Kadam

Pictures speak louder than words’ – here is a sneak peek to a beautiful evening celebrating Mother’s Day with ISW’s Women Empowering Women platform!!

Thank you to each and everyone of you who attended the event and made it a grand success! Your presence brought immense joy and warmth to the occasion, making it truly memorable!

A heartfelt appreciation to the entire WEW team for their tireless efforts in planning and executing an event of this scale!