KENDRA’S DIWALI DHAMAKA PROGRAMME AT VIP LOUNGE ON TUE – 24TH OCT 2017
This was the first year we had arranged our Diwali programme in an outside venue and after our 10th Anniversary programme in Feb, we thought this would again be an ideal place for our Diwali celebration with full day of music.
Members were so excited that many had turned up at the venue very early and everyone was full of enthusiasm wearing colourful saris or suits. After presenting their tickets to the volunteers at the entrance, the members were given the counterfoil duly numbered and this was to be retained for the Raffle Draw.
Everyone then entered the Hall where they were given a welcome sweet - KitKat chocolate and Caramel biscuits smartly packed by Rasilaben and Prabhudasbhai Shah. Also a Baclava sweet was given to all members when they sat at their pre- arranged seats by Ashaben and Jeetendra Mehta. Members really appreciated both these lovely sweets.
In the hall on a table at the side, our member Meenaxiben Rameshchand Shah had made a eye catching Rangoli :
All the tables in the Hall were colourfully decorated and so was the Hall with coloured lights. Today’s attendance was 360 members and guests, which topped even the gathering on 10th Anniversary. This shows how popular our programmes are growing day by day now. The Raffle Prizes were displayed in the centre and so were the awards – shining cups with engraved names of Executive Committee Members who had given continuous service for the last 10 years.
Dr. Vinodbhai Kapashi was the MC for the whole programme and our Secretary – Jayantbhai Doshi welcomed everyone wishing all a happy Diwali. Dr. Vinodbhai then gave a humourous skit with Jasuben Sheth and then he sang a nice song about the Kendra. He was a fantastic MC with his immaculate witty gujarati.
On the stage in the centre of Hall, the music Group – Indian Ocean of Apoorav, Reemaben with two other band members started the music a little late but everyone was in a joyous mood and joined in clapping and encouraging the singers. As soon as the music started, the dance floor was crowded with dancing members and this continued till the end. The Group sang several oldies and unforgettable tunes from the “Bhuli Bishri Yadeein”, which were highly applauded as members also started to sing with the melodious tunes. Several requests from members for their favourite songs were sung to the delight, dancing and clapping by members. Everyone praised this group and said that the best we have had with their tuneful songs.
Dr. Vinodbhai Kapashi kept announcing on what was happening and at 12.30 pm the starters were served on the tables : crispy samosa, assorted bhajia, chilli fried Mogo and Aloo tikki chaat with chutneys. Everyone enjoyed this whilst the music continued.
When there was a break from music, our President – Vinodbhai Parekh gave a warm welcome to all and thanked all the volunteers who made this programme a super hit. Lalit Mehta gave a short interesting ‘kavita’ and then the undersigned was called upon to give the names of the six EC members who were to be given awards for continuous 10 years service in Kendra.
The following members were presented the awards :
Jayantbhai Doshi
Baburai T Shah
Jasuben Sheth
Vinod Parekh
Dr. Vinodbhai Kapashi
Indrakant Bakhai
The awards were presented by Rasilaben/Prabhudasbhai Shah, Jayantilal Sheth and Urmilaben/Harshadray Sanghrajka with the help of Dr. Pragnaben mandalia. We are indeed proud to have such stalwarts in Kendra and we pray that they will continue to give us their services.
The Raffle Draw was conducted and the following won the prizes with full list of donors :
DIWALI DHAMAKA - PRIZES FOR RAFFLE DRAW
PRIZES DONORS TKT NO WINNER
1st £200 GIFT VOUCHER DONATED BY ANIL OF SKYLINK TRAVEL & TOURS 23 VIDYABEN M MEHTA
2nd KENWOOD BLENDER -X-TRACT DONATED BY KUNDANBEN VINOD PAREKH 162 RAMESHBHAI P SHAH
3rd MAULINEX MASTER FRY DONATED BY SAROJBEN & KISHOR LAKHANI 71 CHANDRIKA L MEHTA
4th SANDWICH TOASTER DONATED BY JASUBEN SHETH 155 LAXMIBEN MEGHANI
5th SALTON YOUGHART MAKER DONATED BY JASUBEN SHETH 219 RANJANBEN SHETH
Conso MOULI JULIENNE MANUAL SLICER DONATED BY BAIJUL ASHOK SHAH 25 KANTABEN SHAH
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Vinodbhai Kapashi then gave Vote of Thanks for all the volunteers, donors of Raffle Prizes, donors of welcome sweets, The Music Group, VIP Management and their staff for excellent service, Meenaxiben Shah for Rangoli, and also Anilbhai of Skylink Travel and Tours for having the tickets printed.
Nimaben Kakad then gave a final presentation of a short song in praise of NVK.
A few donations from members were received.
The tuneful music continued after the break whilst the Main course, including Jain Food, was served on every table. The main course included, Crispy Fried Masala Bhindi, Kaju/Makai, Dum Aloo,Tarka Daal, Badam/Cashew Rice. The dessert was Moong Badam Halwa with Mango Kulfi.
Music continued until nearly 4.00 pm and Apoorv whilst cracking jokes in between songs, had also remarked that what he witnessed was not a ‘vadil’ or aged group but an all young active group of men. He also said that he was honoured to sing to such a large crowd who were very appreciative of their music.
Tea was served at tea time.
Everyone had enjoyed the fantastic music and gave three cheers for them. The programme ended after 4.00 pm and everyone talked about the very enjoyable programme as the food and the music were also excellent. From the members’ views, it seemed this was the best programme we have had so far.
After the programme we have been inundated with numerous messages of congratulations, appreciation and enjoyment of the excellent programme. To all those who sent us such messages, The Executive Committee has to say that members’ satisfaction and enjoyment is our reward for all our efforts. When members enjoy and give us credit, it also gives us the impetus, a lot of pleasure and encouragement and we hope to continue to work even better for the elderly in future.
PRAFUL SHAH
PRO – NVK