We held our Ganpati Special 3D printing classes last weekend.

Thanks to everyone who joined to build some special projects in time for Ganpati.. Special thanks to returning student Yajas who also doubled as a Assistant Teacher !

Also -Special shout out to our youngest student yet - Jay - Age 6! 

We also conducted our annual Idol making workshop where budding artists of all ages built their own clay idols under the guidance of Shrikant and Sapna Savant. 

On Saturday, September 26. At our Humrahi gathering. We had few new members join us. Since our Humrahi gathering news is spreading more and more people come to our gathering. Activity wise we had two rounds of part 1 line dancing and then we had two rounds of the 2nd part of line dancing. Our Humrahi group are dancing like professionals now on line dancing.with the able guidance of Mr. Narayan Sharma.

Then we had a short break for our Chai. Coffee and Nastha.

After break our D.J . Mr Narayan Sharma started karaoke singing event .We had about 10 singers sing. We had a variety of songs. From  romantic, to emotional, to light classical to comedy songs. Mr Narayan Sharma manages the sequence in an orderly form.

Our next Humrahi gathering will be on October 26th

We won't be having our gathering in November and December due to Thanksgiving and Christmas. But we will have a gathering on Saturday December 2nd. The content of the program is a surprise. So keep this date free for yourself. Information will be sent soon on Humrahi group as soon as we formalize everything.

ISW Ganeshotsav 2023 - recap

On Sunday September 24th ISW's, Shrewsbury Ganeshotsav Mandal (SGM) team celebrated Ganesh Festival with lots of enthusiasm and vigor, for the twelfth year in a row. Despite the inconvenience of weather conditions the team still executed the event as planned and with a lot of zeal and "जोश" as always.

This year's festival at ISW had many significant highlights. Prior to the event, a ganesh idol making workshop was held where almost 25 to 30 participants learnt and made ganesh idols from clay. The 3D model generated ganesh idol was made especially for the event day pooja by volunteers of the SGM team. The theme of the event for this year was Social Media. So in conjunction with the theme, the team had made a beautiful backdrop of various social media platforms and today's ways of communication in picture form. The pictures were digitally drawn taking inspiration from famous Marathi artist/cartoonist Mr. S. D. Phadnis. He is known for his captionless and colorful cartoons, which mainly featured on magazine covers. As kids back home in India, we all grew up appreciating and enjoying his creations. Hence this decoration was our tribute to this great Marathi artist.

The event started with Ganapati procession (miravnook) in the premises of ISW and was followed by pooja and sacred hymns chanting (aarti). This year's pooja was performed by the parents of Mr. Ashish Cowlagi (past president of ISW). Scrumptious prasad (autnethis maharastrain modak delicacy and shira) was served. Promptly the entertainment program based on the same social media theme started and the hall was filled with claps and foot tappings. Live dances, skits and songs intertwined with reels on screen, showcased today's life, where social media is prevalent in our day to day. The intertwining was important to highlight the balance we all need to achieve, a key message of the program.

The third highlight of the event was the Dhol-Tasha. The team played the instruments (specially ordered from India) in a procession with many others dancing and rejoicing to the rhythm. The air was filled with energy and a lot of enthusiasm like the festival back in India. From old generation to young kids everyone was enjoying the music and participated in the celebration fever whole heartedly.

All in all it was a very colorful celebration with pooja, prasad, entertainment program, decorations and food, in the grandeur of the newly renovated India Center. Everyone who attended the program enjoyed it thoroughly.

The event ended with a delicious authentic dinner of Shrikhand poori, batata wada among other dishes. Volunteers and the SGM team planned the event for months and its fruitful completion left everyone satisfied and content.

SGM team

Spirit of Shrewsbury Talent Show, Float  & Parade Sept 23 & 24, 2023

Talent Show pictures

Float & Parade  Pictures

Celebration for 60 years of completion of ISW’s participation at spirit of Shrewsbury happened on 24th of September . The new team of Youth, Adult and Dancers participated with Dhol Tasha and lezim . Their energy and enthusiasm was out of mark and they were unstoppable in the inclement weather. The high energy and Spirit of the team to prepare themselves in the short span of time to participate in the town parade was incredible. I want to thank from my heart to all the volunteers who showed up early in the rainy morning to put their hands on deck and make the float look presentable at the parade . I want to finish by saying outstanding team work.
Thank You Anupama Deb Roy

‘We’re here rain or shine’: Spirit of Shrewsbury Parade marches on By Evan Walsh -September 24, 2023 Community Advocate

Consistent rain couldn’t stop the Spirit of Shrewsbury Parade on Sunday afternoon. Crowds of rain-soaked individuals from over 25 local organizations marched through the center of Shrewsbury. Despite the downpours, hearty townsfolk lined the streets to show their support.

This year, the India Society of Worcester designed the first-place float. The float included balloons to celebrate the society’s 60th anniversary, as well as miniature models of the organization’s new and old buildings.

“The cardboard – it’s all eco-friendly. I used cardboard, tape, no plastic. I made it part by part, it took me – to complete both the models – about three weeks. I built it, I painted it, and then I did the small doors,” said Anupama Debroy, who was instrumental in the float’s creation.

The India Society of Worcester’s float was at the front of the parade; the group danced and played music for the entire 1.1-mile parade route – all in the pouring rain. “I’m excited. Everyone is so enthusiastic – it’s raining, but everyone is dancing, everyone is doing their work. Everybody here is working hard to make it possible,” Debroy said.

Other local organizations made appearances, including Central One Federal Credit Union, Clinton Savings Bank, several Girl Scout troops, youth lacrosse organizations, and Saint John’s High School, which is celebrating its 125th anniversary.

The parade also featured local figures like Spirit of Shrewsbury Grand Marshal Missy Hollenback. Hollenback – per her request – drove in an electric vehicle throughout the parade.

The Shrewsbury High School Band also joined in the fun. With rain being blown in their faces, band members valiantly marched forward, playing upbeat music to energize the crowd.

“It’s really important [to be here]. The community is a big part of our program, and we feel like our participation plays an important role in the community’s events. We’re here rain or shine and we’re happy to be doing so,” said Band Director Caryn Wardwell.

ISW Garba is back October 13 & 14

• OCTOBER 13, 7 PM  ISW Garba JHANKAR LIVE SINGING

• OCTOBER 14, 7 PM ISW Garba Dhamaka with DJ Sidd

VENUE : ST GEORGE ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL,
30 ANNA ST, WORCESTER , MA
Become a ISW member

• Tickets for Family & Life Members : $10 per person, per day
• No combination tickets or early bird tickets
• only one time login is allowed for tickets, so buy your group ticket in one purchase, multiple logins with same email ids will not be allowed by system
• max 10 tickets per member, become a ISW member
• Will stop member sales at noon on day of event
• Non-payment within 15 mins will automatically cancel registration
• Non-members/ At the door : $20
• Please buy ticket for children 5 and over, and adults
• Children under 5 are free
• Dandiyas for purchase in cash $5 to $10
• Food, Jewelry/clothing & Diwali item vendors on site

Shrewsbury's Got Talent  September 23rd, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm Oak Middle School, Shrewsbury

Once again, ISW will be hosting the annual Shrewsbury's Got Talent competition as part of the Spirit of Shrewsbury festivities. Sign up to perform by September 20th. 

On Sunday Sep 24th, on Municipal Ave. Parade starts at 1pm

ISW Symphony Dhol-Tasha-Lezim participating in Spirit of Shewsbury parade

 CANCELLED due to RAIN

ISW Symphony Dhol-Tasha-Lezim participating in Northboro Applefest parade September 10, Sunday 2 pm

The Northborough Applefest is an annual event that takes place in Northborough, Massachusetts. It typically features a variety of activities, entertainment, food vendors, and a parade.

ISW Symphony Dhol Tasha Lezim will be participating in the parade this year! This promises to add a lively and cultural element to the festivities. Please join us at the event to enjoy the spectacular performance and cheer the ISW team!

Please see details at http://www.northboroughapplefest.com/

ISW Krishna Janmashtami is at capacity, CLOSED. If you registered prior to 8-20-2023, and are unable to come, please let ISW know. so others can join.

11 am to 3.00 PM EST Sunday
Prayers & Aarti
Dahi Haandi
Kids Fashion Show (prizes for best Krishna & Radha)
Lunch Prashad

All welcome
Sponsors: Suresh and Meera Gupta
For RSVP and any questions contact
geetanjali.virmani@gmail.com. Chair, ISW Religious Committee

by Kirti Nagpal

Synopsis Humrahi Program 8/26/23

It was a great turnout at the Humrahi program today . We started the day with line dancing . Mr Narayan Sharma who wears many different hats was the dance teacher today . He taught us this elegant dance in very simple and easy to understand steps. Once everyone got the rhythm in place ,they all were dancing like a pro in no time. Cupid shuffle is the ideal song to enjoy line dance.

Then came our Manoranjan Karoake program. It’s one of the best elements of Humrahi where we get to listen to beautiful songs through karaoke.The audience is also actively participating and singing along.I would though like to mention our 2 members Trupti ji and Pushpa ji who are amazing singers. We were left spell bound when Pushpa ji sang a Ghulam Ali ghazal rendition and Trupti ji sang “lag ja Gale ”.

Thanks again to everyone who came and enjoyed the program.

by Rajesh Khare

The India Society of Worcester (ISW) joins the world in celebrating the remarkable success of the Chandrayaan-3 mission's lunar landing. The ISW, a prominent cultural and social organization representing the Indian community in Worcester, extends its heartfelt congratulations to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the entire team behind this monumental achievement.

Chandrayaan-3's successful landing on the lunar surface marks a proud moment not only for India but also for the global Indian diaspora. The mission's resounding success demonstrates the exceptional talent, dedication, and scientific prowess of Indian scientists, engineers, and researchers.

The successful landing of Chandrayaan-3 is a source of immense pride for all of us in Worcester and beyond. This achievement serves as a testament to India's capability to excel in cutting-edge scientific endeavors. Our hearts swell with pride as we witness the legacy of Indian innovation and determination continue to reach new heights.

The Chandrayaan-3 mission holds a special place in the hearts of many Indians residing in Worcester and the surrounding regions. The mission's focus on lunar exploration and discovery aligns with the spirit of curiosity and exploration that the Indian community holds dear.

Chandrayaan-3's journey to the Moon and its triumphant landing have captured the imagination of people from all walks of life, igniting a renewed sense of wonder and curiosity about the cosmos. As the lander and rover begin their scientific investigations on the lunar surface, the ISW eagerly anticipates the knowledge and insights that will emerge from this mission.

The success of Chandrayaan-3 is a continuation of India's storied history in space exploration, following in the footsteps of previous missions like Chandrayaan-1 and the Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan). These accomplishments serve as an inspiration to the younger generations, encouraging them to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.

As the India Society of Worcester joins hands with the global community in applauding Chandrayaan-3's success, it also looks forward to the mission's future discoveries and contributions to humanity's understanding of the Moon and its mysteries. The mission's success symbolizes the unyielding spirit of innovation and perseverance that is emblematic of India's journey through the cosmos.

Rajesh Khare is a member  of the India Society of Worcester's Executive Board.