KENDRA’S 10TH ANNIVERSARY PROGRAMME – 16TH FEB 2017
At last the big day that every Kendra member was waiting for had arrived and it was surprising that all of a sudden the severe cold, rainy, cloudy and misty weather, which everyone got used to for several days previously, turned to a mild and pleasant weather. The Executive Committee had been preparing for this big day since last eight months holding several meetings to discuss all the nitty gritty and so did the Brochure Committee. Ever since we first announced about the Souvenir for this big event and requested for adverts and well wish messages, we were overwhelmed with response by members. Our original intention to print 80 page Souvenir had to be increased to 100 page. At the last minute even this was found not to be enough for all the articles and messages to be incorporated into the Souvenir. We highly regret that we had to remove some articles. Even response for good Raffle prizes was terrific. Members had spontaneously agreed to donate very good prizes – prizes which would be used every day by the lucky winners – who would remember our great Kendra when using the same.
Some Committee members came on the previous day to bring all the stuff for the big day and to ensure that all arrangements were made, decorations finalised, tables arranged and everything was ship shape at VIP lounge.
Members were so excited that many had turned up at the VIP venue by 9.15 am, though the gate was announced to be opened at 10.00 am. Everyone was full of enthusiasm wearing suits or colourful saris.
Everyone had to present their tickets to the tables where lady volunteers were checking the same and returning to each member the counterfoil of their ticket (which had to be retained for Raffle prizes) together with the 10th Anniversary Souvenir in a specially printed cloth bag. Both the Souvenir and the bag were made in India whilst our Secretary, Jayantbhai Doshi was on holiday there. After this the members had to check their Table Seating Arrangement from the Lists pinned on the Tripod stand in the foyer. In the foyer there was also a table on which our member – Minaxiben Ramesh Shah had arranged a beautiful decoration depicting the journey of most members from India to Africa and then to England. She had also made a rangoli with divas on colourful legumes showing the colours of the Indian, Kenyan flags.
After the gate to the VIP Lounge Hall was opened, members walked in and were presented with home-made ‘pendas’ packed in a nice plastic bag. The pendas were given by the family of Rasilaben, Prabhudasbhai and Binaben Shah. Members really appreciated this.
The 34 Tables in the Hall were beautifully decorated by the VIP Lounge in white and Burgandy colours and so was the Hall with different coloured lights. A houseful crowd of 330 members and guests then took their seats on the designated Tables. The Raffle prizes were displayed in the centre. Everyone in the Hall was in a joyous mood.
On the Stage in the centre of the Hall, the music Group of Nituben Shah with her four band members were ready for the programme, which started at 11.00 am promptly and Vinod Parekh welcomed everyone so did the President – Baburai Shah and Secretary – Jayantbhai Doshi. As soon as the music started the dance floor was crowded with dancing members and this continued till the end. This just shows how members loved the music and the programme. The Band sang several oldies and unforgettable tunes from the ‘Bhulli Bishri Yadeein’, which were highly applauded as members started to sing with the melodious tunes. Several requests for favourite songs were made and the Band sang them to the delight, dancing and clapping by members.
Vinod kept on announcing and giving instructions on what was happening. At 12.30 pm the starters were served on the table and everyone enjoyed the same while the music continued. When there was a break for the band to have their lunch, the President – Baburai Shah announced how the Kendra was established ten years ago – with a small beginning of 30 members to the present membership of 400 and over 350 names on the Waiting List, who are pleading to become members. He said that our great work for the elderly and lonely people in the community was honoured with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2015. This he said was only made possible by the work done by the committee and the wonderful band of volunteers who are ever ready to help. He then said that whatever we are seeing today would not have been possible had it not been for our hard working Secretary – Jayantbhai Doshi, who was the main organiser of the Kendra and for his meticulous planning thereafter for all programmes. He called Jayantbhai to stand up and receive a small token of appreciation for the work he has been doing for Kendra. Everyone gave a standing ovation to Jayantbhai.
Jayantbhai gave his thanks and also mentioned that he had always in mind to ensure that the elderly and lonely in the society get together and enjoy fellowship of others and also improve the quality of their life by doing Yoga. He praised our Yoga guru – Manishaben Wala and called her up to receive a token of appreciation for her total devotion to teach Yoga to Kendra members.
Vinod Parekh called upon the Band leader – Nituben Shah for her support for the Kendra and presented her with a Bouquet. He then gave his Vote of Thanks to the following :
* Anilbhai Bhagi of Skylink Travels & Tours for sponsoring the tickets for our 10th Anniversary programme.
* All advertisers and all who sent their well wish messages for the Souvenir.
*The family of Rasilaben, Prabhudasbhai and Binaben Shah family for sponsoring home-made ‘Pendas’, duly wrapped, which were given to all at the time of entering the Banquet Hall.
* The Management of VIP Lounge for all their arrangements for the programme and special thanks to Mr Ravi Suthar for his support.
* The music group – Nitu Shah & Party for entertaining melodious songs – specially the ‘Bhooli Bisri Yaddein’ songs,
* Special thanks to our Secretary – Jayantbhai Doshi for playing a leading role in the production of the Souvenir – arranging the adverts and messages artistically and in a colourful way and finally supervising the printing in Mumbai while he was on his holidays in India. We are very proud of your commitment to NVK. A special round of applause was given to Jayantbhai.
* All the Volunteers who came early to help in the various duties, they put in fantastic efforts. The Parking Marshalls and those involved in table arrangements and all who helped in giving the Souvenir items.
*Special thanks to all who donated the prizes for the Raffle.
* Meenaben Shah for the Rangoli at the entrance. She always comes up with new ideas.
The current Executive Committee members were introduced and then called up to line in front of the Stage.
The main course for the lunch then continued and Jain food was served separately to over 50 members. The Band continued the music and many song requests by members were played with dancing and garbas. Everyone, also enjoyed the special ‘Mukhwas’ in packets, which was brought from India by Ramaben and Jayantbhai Doshi.
At 3.30 pm whilst MasalaTea and dessert comprising of ‘Kala Jambu’ and ‘Ras Maalai’ was served, the seven Raffle Prizes were drawn. The following is the list of Prize Donors, Lucky Nos drawn and Raffle Winners :
The programme ended at 4.00 pm and everyone talked about the fantastic programme and the good time they had.
After the programme, we have been inundated with numerous messages of appreciation and enjoyment of the excellent programme, praise for the Souvenir and its contents. To all those who have sent such complimentary messages, the Executive Committee of NVK have to say that: Your satisfaction and enjoyment is our reward for all our efforts. When members enjoy and give credit to us, it also gives us a lot of pleasure and encouragement and we hope to continue to work for the elderly in future even better.
PRAFUL SHAH
PRO - NVK
.
RAFFLE PRIZES - DONORS & WINNERS
NO ITEM DONATED BY LUCKY NO WINNER
1 MICROWAVE COOKER RAMABEN & JAYANTBHAI U DOSHI 1314 CHIMANLAL SHETH
2 HOOVER VACUUM SKYLINK TOURS - ANIL BHAGI 1263 LATABEN C SHAH
3 JEWELLERY SET ANJANABEN & KISHOR VASA 1305 RANJAN CHERICAL
4 MULTI SLOW COOKER PRAGNABEN & YASHWANT MANDALIA 1292 HIMATLAL R MEHTA
5 COFFEE MACHINE PRAGNABEN & YASHWANT MANDALIA 1142 SURENDRA MANDALIA
6 INDIAN CURRY STATION BHAVIK -GRANDSON OF BACHULAL MEHTA 1247 PRABHUDASBHAI SHAH
7 BREAKFAST HAMPER BINABEN PRABHUDAS SHAH 1156 JITENDRA MEHTA