NAGAR Community News

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Maurvi Badshah, daughter of Samira and Brijan Badshah graduated with a B S degree in Electrical Engineering from Santa Clara University, CA in June 2009.

Maurvi is a resident of Seattle, WA. Brother, Kush and Grandparents, Lila and Shirish Badshah join with her proud parents in congratulating Maurvi on her graduation.

Inserted by:
Samira and Brijan Badshah
Seattle, WA USA

Nirali Mehta daughter of Parth & Miku Mehta of Catonsville, Maryland has graduated with a Bachelors of Science degree in Psychology from University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC), Maryland in May 2009.

She wants to have a career in Human Resources.

Nirali migrated to the U.S. in November 2001 when she was in the 10 th grade. She won the Best Student Award while in High School.

She is an artist has performed in community events like India Forum, UMBC’s Ajooba, Maryland Masti’s Dance competition, NAM, ISCKON Baltimore’s Rath Yatra, Shiva Vishnu Temple MD and other.

She recently choreographed Baltimore Kids Group Bhangra dance during Nagar Convention 2008 in Chicago which became a super hit and was widely applauded by our Nagar audience.

NAGAR congratulate Nirali Mehta and his proud parents Miku and Parth Mehta and wish her a very bright future.

3rd Nagar Cricket Club Tornament at Vadodara

- By Mr. Devanshu Mehta

"Wonderful", "pleasant" and "exciting" are few words that may partly convey the time we spent at Reliance (former IPCL) ground at Vadodara from 23rd to 25th January 2009.

The festive atmosphere cast a spell on one and all. Watching cricket matches played by Nagars from Mumbai, Vadodara, Ahmedabad, Junagadh, Bhavnagar and Rajkot.

9 teams competed for the cup. Total number of players = 9 x 13 (including 2 extras) = 117.

The main feature of these teams was that each of them were formed not citywise but were comprising of members different cities in each team.

Age of individuals was determined by a person's spirit and not by the date of birth.

Initial matches were of 12 Overs per team and the Final was a 25 overs affair. A few of the matches had nail-biting last over finishes.

The stadium is a fullscale international standard stadium, still there were number of sixes that took our breath away and flew over our heads into the stands and beyond.

Even than I would like to state that it was not only slog. Bowlers and fielders were also in limelight. One Hat-trick and some excellent stops & catches made the tournament a very exciting event.

There were many notable performances, but the allround performances of Svikar Vaishnav of Mumbai and Jyot Chhaya from Vadodara were the highlight of the tournament.

Shri Prasnvadanbhai Mehta (3 times elected from Bhavnagar as MP) was kind enough to meet the players and witness one match.

The prize distribution function was presided by Shri Dattajirao Gaikwad (Captain of former Indian cricket team in late 50's and early 60's). In his speech he said that for his first Ranji trophy match, he received Rs.3 - Yes, Rupees "THREE" only.

Note has to be taken that apart from normal batsman and bowler of the tournament prizes, a prize for the fielder of the tournament was also given.

Ms. Anushree Mehta daughter of Shri Anand Kishorbhai Mehta gave away a special trophy for most "Passionate Play" trophy in the memory of Shri Kishorbhai V Mehta.

The event was immaculately organised by Shri Prerak Mehta (of phdcomm), Shri Chetan Oza, their family members and number of volunteers. The efforts were supported by financial contributions from many individuals, even though the main contribution of time and money came from these two individuals.

On second day's evening participants and family members had organised a cultural programme, which was a big success.

Excellent arrangements for stay and food deserves a special mention.

Last but not the least it brought about the vibrant spirit of cricket-fairplay in all of us. I will try to send few photographs by email in next couple of days.

With best wishes for bright future of the tournament in years to come.

Our big thanks to Mr. Devanshu Mehta for this wonderful and vivid description of this tournament and to Darshak Mehta for sending it to us.

June 9, 2008
"We want to thank you all for your best wishes, support and spreading the word around. It was great to get those words of encouragement and support from you.” - Deeti and Krushanu

NAGAR congratulate couple for participation in the challenge. Watch their live performance on air beginning June 12, 2008.

Krushanu and Deeti Majmundar, a nagar couple of Ellicott City, Maryland and our active Executive Members of Nagar Association Maryland (NAM) are in Top 20 Contestants in Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge USA 2008!

Click to see a larger photo

NAGAR and NAM congratulate the couple for being selected in Top 20 Contestants and convey their best wishes throughout the Challenge 2008!

LATEST UPDATE on Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2008 :
Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge USA 2008 just concluded its auditions in 4 different cities over mainland USA. Thousands registered for the process and the audition, conducted over 8 days will now generate the final list of contestants for the show which will be video shot in Dallas, Texas between May 15 to June 15, 2008.

Click at the following link for the list of the contestants:
contestants

Upasna Trivedi of Baroda, India won the first prize in "Vibrant": All Gujarat Medical Colleges annual function for both her Solo Performance and Group performance.

"Vibrant" is a state level competion where all medical colleges from Gujrat come together and compete.

Upasna performed 'Shiv Tandav Nritya' as solo performance.

She also took part in Garba Competion.

In both performances, she got the 1st Prize.

Upasna is the daugher Diganti and Dr. Nihar Trivedi of Baroda, India.

NAGAR congratulates Upasna and her family on her achievements.

(Thanks to Mr. Mrudang Majmudar, Upasna's mama for sharing this information with us.)

"Shabdo-ne Palav-de" a Gujarati blog by Devika Dhruva of Houston, Texas

NAGAR is proud to introduce “Shabdo-ne Palava-de” a beautiful Gujarati blog http://devikadhruva.wordpress.com by one of our member poetess Devika Dhruva of Houston, Texas, USA. All the poems on the blog are very fresh, superbly crafted and beautifully decorated with Gujarati words!

NAGAR congratulate Devikaben for her sublimely created poems, and wish her very best to reach to a new height in Gujarati literature!

Dr. Unnati Subodh Nanavati, daughter of Dr. Subodh Nanavati and Dr. Pallavi Nanavati from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has passed Licensure Examination in Physiotherapy from State of Michigan, USA.

We had earlier published news of her getting a scholarship for advanced studies.

NAGAR congratulates Unnati and her family on her educational achievement and wishes her good luck in her professional life.

"..Tame Prem-Ni Vato Karjo..Ame Karishu Prem..."

What a beautiful message on Valentine Day to our cultural rich community back home in India, that "..Tame Prem-Ni Vato Karjo..Ame Karishu Prem...".

Click on image to see a larger version

Congratulation to Krushanu Majmundar, our home town hero and Secretary of Nagar Association Maryland (NAM), to take this message and performed live in "Kavya-Sangeet Samaroh 2008" in Ahmedabad, India, on Valentine Day February 14 2008 in presence of many legendary artists like Anoop Jalota, Purshottam Upadhyay.

The full text of the Gujarat Samachar article can be found in this PDF document.

Click to see a larger version

Congratulations to Parthsarthy Vaishnav for successfully completing his Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Examination. This adds to his impressive credentials of MS in Accounting from Leventhal School of Accounting from University of Southern California (USC) and Chartered Accountant (CA) from India.

Parthsarthy Vaishnav is son of Mayuri and Uday Vaishnav of Glendale, California.

NAGAR wish him continued success in achieving many more personal and professional milestones!

Click to see a larger version

Madhvi & Asim Mehta, of California, have released their latest album, Sayabo Maro - a collection of garba, raas and various other folk songs including diva dance and bedla dance.

The lyrics for all 10 numbers on the album are written by Smt. Meghlata Mehta. Madhvi & Asim Mehta composed 7 out of the 10 numbers with 1 composed by veteran composer Shri Dilip Dholakia and 1 by Vikram Patil.

Madhvi-Asim Mehta and Group will be performing at the following events in the Bay Area:

• October 6th: Jain Center of Northern California, 722 S. Main St, Milpitas, CA 95035. 8:00PM onwards
  
• October 13th: India Cultural Association of the Bay Area, Hindu Temple & Community Center, 420 Persian Dr, Sunnyvale, CA 94089. 8:00 PM onwards
  
• October 20th: Tri-Valley Indian Association, Location TBD, Check @ www.tviaonline.org 8:00 PM onwards
  
• October 27th: Sankara Eye Foundation, Santa Clara Convention Center, Tasman Drive @ Great America Parkway, Santa Clara, CA. 7:30:00 PM onwards
  

Madhvi holds a Bachelor’s degree in Classical Vocal music from MS University of Baroda and Asim has trained under Shri Laxmikant Bapat of Baroda and Shri LaxmiGanesh Tiwari of Sonoma.

Madhvi and Asim have a number of albums to their credit. Their first album of Raas-Garba called Haa Re Maa was released in 1993 and was an instant success. Since then they have produced and sung in 8 other albums under their music banner KAMP Music. These include popular albums like Dilruba (Instrumental Dilruba), Passion (Geet/Ghazals), Rang Mala (Bhajans), Bhajan Amrut (Bhajans). Additionally they have produced almost half-a-dozen private bhajan albums.

Their latest album - Sayabo Maro - is available on their website www.asimmadhvi.com or www.kampmusic.com. It will also be available for purchase at all of the above events.

NAGAR congratulates them on this professional milestone and wishes success in their musical and lyrical activities.

Dr. Kauresh Dhanwantrai Vachhrajani has been awarded the "Prof. E. P. Odum" Gold Medal by International Society for Ecological Communications, India for 2007.

This medal is awarded for his work on Environmental Biology and Ecology Research in Gir forest and also on aquatic ecosystems.

NAGAR congratulates Dr. Vachhrajani on this recognition and wishes his future success in his professional career.

Vrushank Buch (son of Dr. B.H.Buch and Janki Buch) has completed his M.Tech (Advanced Manufacturing Engineering) from National Institute of Technology (Karnataka), which is amongst the top 10 in the country.

He secured the First rank with an overall CGPA of 9.6/10 and has been awarded the GOLD MEDAL by the institute.

He will be joining as Deputy Manager (Product Devp.) with a leading Commercial Vehicle Manufacturer.

NAGAR congratulates Vrushank and his family on his exceptional educational achievement and wishes him the best in his future.

Shuchi Kharod (d/o Dyuti and Nikunj Kharod - St.Louis,MO) graduated with honors and Summa Cum Laude as a bachelors in Communication Science Disorder (Speech therapy). She participated in research programs at under-graduate level and is now bound for Masters degree with scholarship at Northwestern University in Chicago.

NAGAR congratulates Shuchi and her family on her educational achievement and wishes her the best for her further education.

Neepa and Paulomi Dholakia of Baltimore, Maryland, USA, have started a team in the Walk for Diabetes event on October 6th in rememberance of their grandmother, Vishnubala Kharod.

They write:

Dear Nagar Parivar,

September 8th, 2007, completes a decade since we lost our beloved Vishnubala Jayendralal Kharod...Nen, a grandmother, a mother, an aunt, a guardian, and a great-grandmother. She is remembered for everything from the wonderful stories she told the kids and the wisdom of her experiences, to the plethora of medications, with side effects, that Nen had to endure because of her severe diabetes. Above all, Nen loved all people and always had an immense desire to help others. She also never gave up, embracing every one of life's hardships with a silent smile...her life's greatest "vijay."

We lost Nen 10 years ago, but in her memory, we can keep that spirit of helping others alive. This is the reason Team V.J. is participating in the American Diabetes Association's Walk for Diabetes on October 6 th, 2007 at the M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland.

If you are joining us on this walk, you will need to register with Team V.J. by supporting Team Captains Neepa and Paulomi Dholakia. After your registration, you will be able to set up your own personal registered walker page to share with others (work, college, school, friends, etc.). If you are just making a donation, please do that through our webpage (by sponsoring us) as well. Either way, this will be your personal donation to the ADA (you’ll get the tax relief in your name) – the only reason it needs to be done under our name is to ensure it goes to the right team and we meet our fundraising goals. And don’t forget to spread the word…even if it repeats in the family, spread the word!

Whether you choose to walk with us, or just make a donation, thank you, friends, for your support in this great cause! Team V.J. for "V.J." over diabetes!

Signing up is easy! Use the link below to help us make a difference. The funds we raise will support the American Diabetes Association's important research, education and advocacy efforts.

Join us and together we can take steps towards fighting diabetes!

Click here to view the team page for Team V.J.

Click here to visit my personal page.

- Team Captains Neepa and Paulomi (contact via email)

Kunil Raval, son of Dr Kaushik and Pratibha Raval of Saginaw, Michigan (USA) has graduated in May 2007 with high honors B.Sc(Hon) degree from Michigan State University. He has completed 4 year program majoring in Bio-chemistry and Molecular Biology with Chemistry.

Kunil Raval has secured admission in a prestigious School of Medicine at University of Wisconsin, Madison under MSTP (Medical Scientist Training Program) winning the full scholarship. At the end of his program, he will be awarded with two doctoral degrees of MD/Ph.D.

Congratulations to Kunil and his parents upon Kunil's graduation with B.Sc.(Hon) degree, direct admission to MD/Ph.D. program and winning full scholarship!

NAGAR wish him good luck for a successful medical career and have his all dreams come true!

(Prepared by Kunil's Grandparents - Shri Mahendra Joshi & Smt. Kokilaben Joshi, Glendale, Arizona)

Isha, daughter of Bhargav and Jalashree Antani, has won "The Bharat Yatra V Essay Writing Award", sponsored by the New York Life Insurance Company. (details are on the New York Life Company's website)

Isha received the award for writing an essay on the topic "Wildlife conservation in India: Present day challenges and measures required for positive action." She along with 15 other winners from all over North America, are sponsored by NY Life for a 2 week ecological study tour to Karnataka (July 21-Aug 3).

New York Life has placed ads in North American Indian newspapers announcing the 15 winners and these papers will be out the week of the 2nd of July. The list of the papers carrying the announcement:

West Coast: India West, India Journal.
East Coast: News India Times, Desi Talk.
Texas : Indo American News,
Magazines: Garvi Gujarat.
National: India Abroad, Gujarat Samachar, Sandesh

Isha wishes to thank her father, mother, sister, Moha, grandma, Naliniben Antani, and her cousin, Diwant Vaidya, for helping her achieve this goal.

NAGAR congratulates Isha on winning this award and wishes her an educational and exciting trip to India.

Isha Antani, daughter of Bhargav and Jalashree Antani of New Jersey (USA), has graduated with high honours and Summa Cum Laude from Rutgers University majoring in Genetics and minoring in Art History. Isha completed the 4 year program in three years and was awarded the degree this past May.

Congratulations to Isha and her family on this commendable educational achievement.

Dr. Unnati Subodh Nanavati, daughter of Dr. Subodh Nanavati and Dr. Pallavi Nanavati (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) has been accepted at Loma Lind University, Caliofornia, for post-graduate studies in Physical Therapy.She will join LLU in September 2007.

She has been offered Assistantship (Scholarship ) by LLU to the tune of $6000.00 per anum.

Congratulations to Unnati and her family on this educational achievement.