NAGAR Community News

Nilesh Raval, grandson of Shri Mahendrabhai & Smt. Kokilaben Joshi, was declared a winner in Saginaw County Spelling Bee Competition 2006 for the third consecutive year.

(Click to see a larger photo)

He will represent the region and compete in the 79th Annual Scripps Howard National Spelling Bee Competition 2006 at Washington, DC.

Our congratulations to him on this wonderful achievement and best wishes for his continued success.

(Thanks to Shri Mahendrabhai Joshi for sending us this information.)

Congratulations to Krushanu Majmundar, a home town hero for all Baltimoreans, for his contribution in Gujarati Sugam Sangeet. He was interviewed by SBS radio in Australia. SBS is a Gujarati radio station running from Australia search for people around the globe to recognize the talent of the artist and its contributions in building and preserving a strong culture of Gujarat in the field of music, art and literatures. Krushanu Majmundar, a home town hero for all Baltimorean & Marylander & USA Nagar community was extensively interviewed by SBS radio in Australia.

You can go to this website to access it:

http://www9.sbs.com.au/radio/language.php?page=who&language=Gujarati

On the website you will find a link "listen to the latest broadcast" on the left hand side.
The link will open up in real player and the interview is towards the middle of the broadcast (so if u want, you can skip the first 20 minutes). The interview can be accessed from this link up until Thursday (March 22, 2006) and will be put in the "audio highlights" section thereafter.

Mohit Joshipura's essay on "Indo-US Relations In The 21st Century" for the 'Bharat Yatra Essay Competition' was adjudged the best by the panel.

As a prize for winning the competition, Mohit will enjoy an all expense paid trip to India from 21st July to 3rd August. Part of the agenda of the trip would be a visit to rural parts of Gujarat and meet certain dignitaries in Gujarat and Mumbai.

Mohit Joshipura is the son of Yogeshbhai and Vishakhaben Joshipura who reside in Houston. He is currently a senior at the University of Texas at Austin (Human Biology) and aspires to become a doctor in the future.

His award-winning essay is here (PDF format)

We are all very proud of his accomplishment and wish him the very best.

(Click to see a larger photo)

Congratulations to Rajiv and Urvi Nanavaty of Chesapeake, Virgina for completing the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon on Sep 3 2006.

Update (July 26 2007)

Omkar Dave, 22 and Mauli Dave, 19 of Houston, Texas have released their first Bhajan album (CD)titled "Prabhu Tare Pagathiye".

Omkar and Mauli are the children of Hemant bhai and Dipti ben Dave.

The bhajans are in Gujarati and have been comoposed by Omkar. The music arrangement is also by Omkar. Mauli, Omkar and Hemant have provided vocal. The recording was done in June, 2006 at studio Mrudang, Ahmedabad.

The CD is available at a very reasonable cost, $5.00 (five dollars) including postage. To buy the CD, send the amount to:

Dipti and Hemant Dave
406 Tresvant Dr.
Webster, Texas 77598
Email

Congratulations to Omkar, Mauli and their parents was this achievement.

A full report with more photographs is also available.

Update (Sep 9 2007) Mauli out but not down

Thanks to you all on behalf of Mauli and her parents for your supports and blessings with your votes through SMS, phones and emails.

Our best wishes are with you! Work hard and stay focused!

Update (July 26 2007) Omkar and Mauli Dave's CD

Update (July 20 2007) Mauli has moved forward in the 3rd round with final 12 contestants

Mauli has entered in the 3rd round of the competition with the final 12 contestants.

Once again, watch her performance on Friday July 20 and Saturday July 21, 2007, and vote her on Friday, Saturday or Sunday July 22, 2007 before 11:30 PM (EST).

Please click to one of the following links and login to vote:

http://www.zeetvusa.com/sare/vote.asp
or
http://www.saregamapa.rediff.com

Update (July 6 2007) Mauli enters the "Agnipariksha" round of "Sa Re Ga Ma Pa - Challenge 2007"

Mauli, a talented and promising nagar star of USA has now entered with final 14 participants in "Agnipariksha" round of "Sa Re Ga Ma Pa - Challenge 2007" - an international music competition organized by Zee TV network. The "Agnipariksha" rounds begin from this Friday July 6 and Saturday July 7 2007 from 7:30 - 8:30 PM (EST). Now is the time when every vote will count for Mauli to go forward in "Sa Re Ga Ma Pa - Challenge 2007"

NAGAR join with Mauli and her proud parents Diptiben and Hemantbhai Dave to thank for your support, love and blessings, and appeal to all our members families and their friends to watch Mauli's performance, support and vote through out the competition.

Please click to the following link and login to vote:
http://www.zeetvusa.com/sare/vote.asp

On behalf of our community NAGAR express the best wishes to Mauli through out the competition, and thanks again for your continuing support to Mauli Dave.

Below is an appeal by Mauli Dave:

Update (June 20 2007) Mauli Dave in Zee TV Parivaar serial to sing Mayya Mayya

Parrivaar..Kartavya ki pariksha - Monday to Friday 7:30 PM

Update (June 10 2007) Vote for Mauli

She has raised the expectation of the mentors and fans with her outstanding performance of "Maiya Maiya..." which had left a lasting impression on the heart and mind of everyone. She is much talented, dedicated and professional than other contestants in the competition.

Please support and get the support of your family and friends by visiting the link of SaReGaMaPa

Update (June 8 2007)

Himmesh's special episode will air today at 10 PM. This episode also features Himmesh making a point of how contestants should sing contemporary songs when Mouli Dave sings "mayya mayya"...

.....and watch Mauli's performance today and tomorrow at 7:30PM (EST) in the second round of the competition

Update (May 31 2007): Mauli sole remaining US-based contestant

Mauli's proud parents Hemantbhai and Diptiben are in Mumbai to encourage and support her. NAGAR convey best wishes to Mauli, and request our community to vote and support Mauli Dave through out the competition. (See Details -
http://saregamapashow.com/2007/05/participants-intro-mauli-dave-from.html)

For latest update and help Mauli win your and yours friends vote and support through out her competition, please keep checking this page.

Update (May 20 2007): Mauli Dave of USA entered in second round regaining confidence of all musical gurus with her another outstanding performance on Saturday May 19, 2007

Mauli Dave's another outstanding performance on May 19 regained confidence of all music composer gurus and received appreciation from legendry all time singer Ashaji, the judge, in the first round of 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa - Challenge 2007" music competition. Mauli, a strong talented challenger and a very high hope of Bappi-da, succeeded through the first round of elimination and entered in the second round of the competition.

Please click the link below to see her live video performance of May 19, 2007, if you have not watched her live performance:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2o0vWK3y9A

Mauli...Keep it up...May our lord Hatkesh bless you!

NAGAR request to watch all episode of the show every weekends, support and vote Mauli Dave.

Update (May 18 2007):
A MEAL TO REMEMBER: Mauli Dave

(A report published in Hit List of "Mid Day News Paper- India" on Friday May 18, 2007.. http://www.mid-day.com/hitlist/2007/may/157404.htm)

Mauli’s big day

Over the weekend, Bappi Lahiri invited his favorite Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2007 contestant Mauli Dave (from Gujarat) to his house.

Bappida had Neetu Kapoor, Rakesh Roshan, Jitendra, Randhir Kapoor over for dinner.

Neetu mentioned that she had started watching the Zee show after she heard the song Maiyya Maiyya being rendered by Mauli.

Bappida, being the man with the big heart was suddenly very excited since Mauli belongs to his gharana.

So he called her and asked her if she could join them for dinner. An overwhelmed Mauli went over to Bappida’s house and had dinner with the people she had only so far ‘heard’ about.

Update (May 8 2007):
Mauli Dave of USA secured her place in Bhapi-da's team by defeating one of her USA challenger

All the music gurus which are the judges for the competition of the show rushed to greet her on the stage after her performance and openly appreciated her outstanding performance, and blessed her for her very bright future in the industry.

Please click the link below to see her live video, if you have not watched her live performance.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37Cr7xsOF88

Mauli...Keep it up...May our lord Hatkesh bless you!

NAGAR request to watch all episode of the show every weekends and support Mauli Dave.

Please send your support to Mauli through this website.

Mauli Dave of Webster, Texas, USA has been selected for "Sa Re Ga Ma Pa - 2007" Z-TV competition. This is a very popular talent search program by Z-TV network. On behalf of our USA and Global Nagar community NAGAR congratulate for her selection and convey the best wishes for her shining and victorious performance through out the competition.

Mauli Dave is daughter of Dipti and Hemant Dave, and sister of Omkar Dave. We had published news of the release of Mauli and Omkar's first bhajan album a few months back. Click at the link below for more detail on this:
http://www.nagar.org/community_news/2006/09/omkar_and_mauli_dave_release_t.html
with a more detailed report at:
http://www.nagar.org/community_news/omkar_mauli_dave.html

Mauli is already in India for the competition. The show will start telecast the episodes from 4th May, Friday in USA. This show will be twice a week on Friday and Saturday at 6.30 to 7.30 pm central time.

Please watch the show and support Mauli.

Arangetram of Nirati Prashant Antani was organised at Sardar Patel Auditorium in Gandhidham. She is the daughter of Prashant Amritprasad Antani.

Sanjay Oza and his group (of Ahmedabad) are in the US and are available for shows.

The 7 person group consists of:
* Sanjay Oza.....Singer
* Tushar Shukla...Announcer
* Vatsala Vyas....Singer
* 4 musicians......Keyboard, Tabla, Congo/Dholak, Octapad

Type of shows:

* old and new gujarati songs
* old and new hindi film songs
* party songs(hindi),raas garba
* gujarati bhajans
* show prior to the wedding

The group is in the US from 3rd June 2007 to 10th August 2007.

To arrange shows please contact:

* Bharat Patel OH.......440 746 1415
* Sanjay Oza INDIA......91 79 26420129,9825322341.
* Mahendra Trivedi NY....718 461 2133.

Information about their CHHEL CHHABILO GUJARATI show (PDF document).

Mr. Sanjay Oza's profile (PDF document).

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.

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)

"..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.

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.)

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.