Powai Tarang
July 2016
The Magazine of The Rotary Club of Bombay Powai
WELCOME 2016-17
Installation Edition
Powai Tarang Rotary Club of Bombay Powai July, 2016 Copyrights Reserved
Contact Details Girija Deshpande Director PR +91-9004034966
Board of Directors
President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Immediate Past President President Elect Joint Secretary Director Membership Director TRF Director Medical Director Non Medical Director Thrust Area Director Fund Raising Director Vocation Director Youth Director Rotary International Director PR Director Club Administration Sergeant-at-Arms Director Training Director Long-Term Projects Director (Chairman) Powai Fest
Kusuma Rao Ashok Nandy Dipanwita Dutt Vivek Govilkar Sunita Sainani Ameeta Vohra Aabha Sharma Prashanth Gupta Satish Hattiangadi Ashok Singh Tejal Seth Bharathi Shenvi Dayasagar Mamta Mahapatra Rakesh Agarwal Subbah Reddy Girija Deshpande Kalpana Jaishankar Naval Khanna Divyesh Thakrar Manohar Jain Rajeev Kumar
Hola Everyone! It gives me great pleasure to connect with you all for the release of our first edition of Powai Tarang. A warm welcome to all of you on this occassion. As I took over the mammoth role of being the Director PR, we thought we would bring in some new initiatives. Our team is totally geared up to make the best of our website, the magazine and, of course, a lot of coordinating activities with the press. We plan to release 12 editions of Powai Tarang this year... Yes, its a challenge and we feel this would only be possible without a dedicated plan and your support. Our themes would be based on the Rotary Monthly themes. And with the entire year of projects and activities already planned, I am sure there will be an exciting amount of add ons in the magazine. We have a great line-up of things in this edition as well. We begin with the addresses of Rotary dignitaries and Club officials. Thereafter, we move on to take a glimpse of the wonderful year that just went by. We then touch upon the upcoming events of the year, a few plans for the quarter, birthdays and anniversaries... and a few surprises as well... As I am looking at the developments during my trip to the US, my team and I are filled with excitement and enthusiasm to hear from you and take this journey forward. I would look forward to a wonderful year ahead. Please feel free to contribute your articles, anecdotes, poems, paintings, puzzles, essays, interviews, news, views and all those interesting things that our RCBP would love to read. Needless to add, please make sure that the children find a wonderful place to showcase their talent through Powai Tarang. And, like I said earlier, your comments and suggestions as we go along and would make sure that we incorporate them in the future editions. Thanks, Yours in Rotary Service, Girija Deshpande Director PR Rotary Club of Bombay Powai
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Girija Deshpande Director PR
In This Issue RI President Says... Message from the RI President John
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District Governor Says... Message from the DG Gopal
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From the President's Desk... Message from the President Kusuma
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Message on Thrust Areas... A special coverage on District Thrust Areas by Deepak (AG)
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What We Don't Teach... An article by Vivek
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Straight Talk...
10 An interview with Rtn. Ann Rekha Sakhuja
The Year That Was... Excerpts from the Peak Year 2015-16 That concluded under IPP Sunita
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Projects of Pratham: First Quarter... Planned Projects under President Kusuma. Details of Projects Executed will be in the subsequent Issue
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You are Invited to Party... The official Birthday and Anniversary List @ RCBP
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R I PRESIDENT SAYS
Rotary Serving Humanity Rotary has been many things, to many people, in the last 111 years. Through Rotary, our members have found friends, community, and a sense of purpose; we’ve forged connections, advanced our careers, and had incredible experiences we couldn’t have had anywhere else. Every week, in more than 34,000 clubs around the world, Rotarians come together to talk, laugh, and share ideas. But above all, we come together for one, overriding goal: service. Service to humanity has been the cornerstone of Rotary since its earliest days, and has been its main purpose ever since. I believe that there is no better path to meaningful service today than Rotary membership; and no organization better placed to make a real and positive difference in our world. No other organization so effectively brings together committed, capable professionals in a wide variety of fields, and enables them to achieve ambitious goals. Through Rotary, we have the capacity, the network, and the knowledge to change the world: the only limits are the ones we place on ourselves. Today, our organization is at a critical point: a historic juncture that will determine, in so many ways, what comes next. Together, we have provided extraordinary service to our world; tomorrow, our world will depend on us to do even more. Now is the time to capitalize on our success: as we complete the eradication of polio, and catapult Rotary forward, with determination and enthusiasm, to be an even greater force for good in the world. Of the many lessons polio eradication has taught us, one of the most important is also one of the simplest: that if we want to bring all of Rotary forward, we’ve all got to be moving in the same direction. Continuity of leadership, at the club, district, and RI level, is the only way we will flourish, and achieve our full potential. It is not enough simply to bring in new members and form new clubs: our goal is not more Rotarians, but more Rotarians who can achieve more good Rotary work, and will become the Rotary leaders of tomorrow. Near the end of his life, reflecting on the path that brought him to Rotary, Paul Harris wrote: “Individual effort may be turned to individual needs, but combined effort should be dedicated to the service of mankind. The power of combined effort knows no limitation.” He could hardly have imagined then that one day, more than 1.2 million Rotarians would be combining their efforts, and, through our Rotary Foundation, their resources, to serve humanity together. And we can only imagine what great deeds Paul Harris would have expected of such a Rotary! It is our responsibility to achieve those deeds; as it is our privilege to carry forth the tradition of Rotary Serving Humanity. Sincerely, John Germ President, Rotary International, 2016-17
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John Germ RI President 2016-17
District Governor Says
In This Issue Dear RC Bombay Powai Family,
Gopal Rai Mandhania District Governor 2016-17
Warm greeting from Seema and me to each one of you at the start of the new Rotary year. Times are changing, and now we are living in Digital era. I am pleased to learn that you are continuing the ongoing tradition of e-Club Bulletin in the Pratham Year. My compliments to all those who have worked hard to launch the first issue, and feel confident that all issues in future will be released with regular frequency, full of news and information of relevance to you, and will "show case" your Club's activities to the outside world. Your club has been rendering great service to the community over the last 24 years and you can look back with satisfaction on completing another fruitful year under the able leadership of Sunita Sainani. The start of a New Year under new leadership is the time to rededicate yourself to "Rotary Serving Humanity". Under the enthusiastic and committed new leader Kusuma Rao, I am sure your club will take your highest achievement as the new base to start from, and build on it to achieve overall excellence in its Silver Jubilee Year. Your club is well known for its flagship project - The Powai Fest, which has considerably improved Rotary image in your community. With stepping up your efforts to serve mankind, participating in District Thrust and emphasis areas, you will certainly play a stellar role in alleviating human suffering. Tap your great potential and make full use of it to do big and impactful projects. Your District Team is a well oiled machine and you can rest assured of their expertise and support to make your Club more "effective". In Assistant Governor Rajkumar Khosla, Assistant Trainer Ashok Aggarwal and District Secretary Ashwinkumar Shetty you have committed, experienced Rotarians, who will be of great help to you in all your endeavours. Do make full use of their knowledge and expertise. I am confident that with your dedication and sincerity, we all, working in close unison, will succeed in our efforts to make the Pratham crucial and historic year of newly constituted RID 3141 an Outstanding year - scaling great heights and laying a strong foundation for the future. With Seema and my best wishes, Gopal Mandhania, District Governor 2016-17 RID 3141
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From the President's Desk
Good Evening Friends!! This is a very special moment for all of us. This is the Pratham year of the new District 3141. Welcome to the Pratham Year of Rotary Club of Bombay Powai in District 3141. What motivates a person to join Rotary? Once in Rotary what makes him take a Presidentship when every Mumbaikar’s Platter is overflowing with work? The Keystone in this structure is “Giving” Giving in a variety of ways be it giving money, giving your precious time & giving your effort. Every Rotarian has attained success and prosperity which he wants to share. He feels that it is time to Give back to society what he has received from them. Our Indian philosophy of “Karma” that you get what you give has also encouraged giving. Joining Rotary changes a person’s perspective. When we are involved in a couple of meaningful projects we feel more motivated and our commitment increases. We see what we have done but we can also see what a lot needs to be done. We retrospect about what has been done & introspect about what needs to be done & how it is to be done. In this Ocean of Humanity we are just drops of water but it is the little drops that make an Ocean. So here I am a Rotarian who has taken up the Presidentship hoping to bring a change - big or small – but a change for the better through our well thought out Rotary projects. 1st July has arrived and the Mantle of responsibility is on my shoulder. Looking around I ask myself what are the critical areas that need attention? In a developing country like India and an overcrowded small island called Mumbai you can see the critical areas in every Nook & Corner. When I see this humongous task before me I ask myself “ how can I do this huge task?” Then I remember that I am not alone. I have an entire team to support me and the members of the entire club. I, alone, cannot do much but together we can. We already have a precedent of doing meaningful projects like health check ups for cervical cancer, diabetes which is set to become a major area of concern for Indians, Eye Camps, check ups for our adopted schools. We would like to promote Yoga for good health and Ms.Shammi Gupta from Shammi’s Yogalaya has promised full support. We have an overwhelming response to Our Annapoorna Day where almost every month we have two Annapoorna Days instead of one. Over the year we hope to bring about a new perspective to Annapoorna Day and make it one of the most meaningful projects by introducing “Eradicate Hunger” Program. We have two adopted BMC schools and our aim is to make them into a Happy School and fulfil all the parameters that have been detailed for a Happy School. Continued... (Next Page)
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Kusuma Rao President RC Bombay Powai
Continued...
This Year our area of focus should be for the Visually Challenged. Their blindness could have been prevented if medical care had been administered at the right time. Prevention of blindness through awareness camps, workshops & check ups can be introduced. What has happened to them cannot be changed but what can be changed is their life style with a little help from us. Braille, innovative technology & interactive computers can help them lead almost normal lives. National Association for the Blind needs a Braille printing press. They print books for primary school, secondary school, college students and the study material for competitive exams for students all over India – cities, towns & villages. Their printing press is 25 years old & they need a modern one urgently. The cost of the machine is Rs.80,00,000/- This is one of the most challenging projects for our club and I am confident that our club will rise to the challenge, look back on it proudly and happily that they have made a difference not to a small group of individuals but to the entire visually challenged community not just for the present group but the groups for the next two decades. If all our projects have to be implemented we need substantial funds. Funds from the Corporate world under CSR and of course our major fund raiser “Powai Fest”. Powai Fest is getting to be bigger & better every year. We have created a fantastic asset and a day will come when every company thinks that it is a matter of prestige to be associated with this fest. All work and No play makes a person’s life monotonous. Let’s have a twinkle in the eye & laughter in our midst of our Rotarians. There will be parties, picnics and get togethers to promote bonding amongst us. We also plan to start a speech and Drama club which will be open to Rotarians & Non Rotarians. The club will have the patronage of RCBP. Every President has certain dreams to fulfil when they take office and I am no different. WE have a power packed year and with all your Goodwill & your Best wishes we hope to achieve our target or maybe achieve more than what we have planned. With hard work & your support we can & we will. What do we need to do all this? Talent – is what we can do Motivation - is how much we can do Attitude - is how well we can do. Our club has plenty of all three. Friends as you see we have Miles to go before we rest. So let’s all join together to make a difference in the Pratham year of our District 3141 and leave our foot prints in the sands of time. May the Pratham Year augur great beginnings of highly impactful projects and unfailing support from Society and the Almighty. Yours in Rotary Service, Kusuma Rao Club President 2016-17
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Message on Thrust Areas
Dear Rotary leaders, We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give," said Winston Churchill. Membership in Rotary International gives us opportunity to make our life. Rotary District 3141 in its Pratham Year has taken up as f its Thrust Areas the following Projects: Diabetes Detection and Awareness Camps, Building toilets for Girls in Schools, Pediatric Surgeries and Create big-impact PR campaigns that will add value to society. In this issue we will discuss in detail the Diabetes Detection and Awareness Camps: in detail and discuss the other three thrust areas. According to the Indian Heart Association, India is the diabetes capital of the world with a projected 109 million individuals with diabetes by 2035. The disease currently affects more than 62 million Indians, which is more than 7.1% of India's adult Population. An estimate shows that nearly 1 million Indians die due to Diabetes every year. By 2025, most people with diabetes in developing countries will be in the 45 to 64 year age group, thus threatening the economic productivity of the country and the income-earning ability of individuals. There is poor awareness about diabetes in the Indian population. The target beneficiaries are a minimum of one lakh. This is expected to enter the Guinness Book of Records. This project is supported by Aditya Birla Foundation as main sponsors. BMC, Thyrocare, Terna Hospital have also extended support. Advisors like Padmashree Dr. Shashank Joshi, Dr. Keki Mehta, and PRID Ashok Mahajan are hugely responsible for this humungous effort to become a reality. The detailed action plan is released by the district. The next Thrust Area is building 200 toilets at the cost of Rs.1,10,000 per toilet. About 40 toilets are built with matching grant. The third thrust Area is Pediatric heart surgeries. 300 surgeries which would cost of Rs.3,25,000/- will be carried out under the auspices of Rotary. Heart surgery in children is done to repair heart defects a child is born with (congenital heart defects) and heart diseases a child gets after birth that need surgery. The surgery is needed for the child's wellbeing. The fourth thrust area is Rotary PR activity. The strategy is to maintain local railway stations. 6.5 commuters travel every day and if the Rotary campaign is effective it will create public goodwill for Rotary. I will close with a very relevant quotation and request you all to contribute in our scheme of life. I will close with the quote by Margaret Mead “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." Regards, Dr Deepak Deshpande RCBP Also Assistant Governor – 2016-17 RID 3141
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Dr. Deepak Deshpande RC Bombay Powai AG Dist. 3141
What We Don't Teach...
An insightful article By Rtn Vivek Govilkar Touching upon the Sensitive areas Of Education and The need to overhaul The policy
I remember an old Marathi story. A farmer complains to the class teacher that the school does not teach any of the life skills needed by his son to work with him on his farm. The topper of the class, in his opinion, would not be able to match his son’s street smartness. It was a funny read at that time. Recently I read a book, ‘Fallen Leaves’ by Will Durant, one of the most famous American authors and philosophers of twentieth century. According to Durant, the purpose of education should never be to make scholars, so much as to form human beings. If we look around, we find tens of thousands boys and girls graduating every year from several colleges. At the same time companies experience a major shortfall in their recruitment because of a major mismatch between the requirement and the availability of skills set. In essence, Durant is echoing the poor and illiterate farmer’s sentiments when he suggests that all the kids should be taught to use tools like saw and spanner. That should help them acquire useful skills like carpentry and plumbing, at least at the basic level. 8
In India, we are completely pampered and spoiled because of availability of cheap labour. It has become unthinkable that ‘good’ schools in India would have classes to teach anything other than what is needed for competitive exams. In my school days, we were taught basic sewing and embroidery. We were encouraged to take government exams in elementary and advanced drawing. We had full time, dedicated music teachers. Today, the official government policies make it impossible for the schools receiving government grants to indulge in any such activities. The schools without grants are almost free to do what they want. However, their tendency is to pick only those extracurricular activities which help them market their offering to the elite parents who can afford to pay their exorbitant fees. There is no point blaming only the government or the school management. In this context, one of the principals narrated her experience to me. She had introduced ‘gardening’ as a subject with the idea that the kids could become familiar with the plants and flowers from their surroundings.
Now, that would help inculcating the green message early in the lives of citizens of tomorrow. To her frustration, many parents called this effort ‘a waste of time’. They demanded that this course should be replaced by something more ‘useful’. The course was eventually scrapped. American schools make it mandatory for all the kids to participate in some sports. In absence of grounds, pools, courts, washrooms and other facilities, it is impossible to make such a rule for kids in India. In the recent past, introduction of computers was the main addition to the school curriculum. But major credit should go to the falling prices and all-encompassing invasion of computers in our daily lives. There seems to be no effort to encourage the entrepreneurial instincts of the kids at school or college level. They teach basic physiology under the ‘science’ umbrella. But the effect of lifestyle (lack of physical activity, mobiles etc.) needs to be covered in greater details. There is a need also to do more about awareness on issues like drugs and HIV. Our own experience suggests that schools are in denial mode. We are bombarded with a lot of (mis)information. But the need for objective history (if there is any such thing) gets ignored. Are we subtly and subconsciously teaching the kids that corruption is universal and inevitable, therefore ‘OK’? We keep talking about respect for elders and other Indian values. But are we teaching the kids to inquire and question? Do we encourage them to be innovative?
languages, history or philosophy before starting their medical program. In India, the ‘Kota model’ of IIT JEE has become popular where kids are given very narrow and focussed training from 6th or 7th grade with the sole objective of getting through the JEE. These kids will never get a chance to learn anything else in their life. My own training in IIT included courses in literature, logic, economics and ethics. We could choose four electives in the last four semesters from the baskets of philosophy, sociology, psychology, communications and environmental sciences. With shortening of the B.Tech. program to four years, many of these options are not available anymore. Non-IIT colleges did not have many of them anyway. The education policy in our country needs a serious overhaul. There are many challenges that we need to tackle. The problem about the quality of facilities, faculty and infrastructure, is apparent. But the problem about the philosophy, direction and content of training is latent. The effects of former are seen in the present. The effects of later will be felt over long run. We at Rotary can use our experience, expertise and most importantly contacts to make a difference.
American students are required to have some degree, any degree as a prerequisite for admission to Medical Course. Many students get a degree in 9
We need to change our orientation to Educational Projects
Straight Talk
A regular feature at Powai Tarang that interviews members and anns to learn more about new perspectives and views. This month, we are featuring Rtn Ann Rekha Sakhuja who has been a teacher at HFS as she answers questions from Powai Tarang
At the outset, let me thank you for doing this at short notice. I know our members would definitely like to hear you speak on certain issues. But before that, tell us something about yourself.
Patience , perseverance and simplicity are the philosophies that are close to my heart. In spite of my six decades of life journey, I still demonstrate childlike behavior with the love for colours and outdoor activities. I feel creative activities keep you fresh and alive. I believe in learning new things /skills no matter what biological age one may be. I started my teaching journey way back in late seventies and have not looked back. It’s my passion to teach and have enjoyed every bit of interacting with students. I love the twinkle in my students’ eyes when they have... 'got-it' moment! You have been a teacher for several years. What are the three key lessons that you learnt over the years?
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The three key lessons learnt during my teaching journey. ● No matter what age or what part of our country... the students love the teacher who is sincere and respectful to their individual identity. ● Keep changing and updating according to your student’s needs. ● All children are beautiful souls and interacting with them gives meaning to your life. Tell us something about how the school system is changing.
Yes, the teaching learning systems have evolved over the years. The students and parents are not satisfied with just bookish knowledge. The students want to be global citizens along with Indian values. They want to pursue higher studies in foreign universities, hence want to be ready to take on the world. The IB board is experiment and research orientated where as CBSE board stresses on
learning by doing and application of knowledge. The ICSE board imparts in depth knowledge and develops the skill of comprehension and expression of the students. So, parents and students have the freedom to choose the style of teaching learning according to their individual needs. Whats the next revolution expected in the field of school education?
The basic school education with values built-in like Guru Shishya learning is there to stay. But after the middle level education, interactive classes, flip class, online class, self learning, the limitless digital world is there to be explored. We hear a lot on drug addiction and other bad habits that students take to. In fact, Powai too has been having a few pockets that are concerning. What are the main causes of students taking to drugs and other habits?
It is really sad to hear about the rise of drug and other vice addiction in Powai. I can just say children are led towards such vices when they are not knowing how to vent their frustrations or due to peer pressure or may be seeking attention at the extreme levels.
Tell us about your journey at Rotary. At Rotary, we are committed to serve the Humanity. How do you think we could be more effective in uplifting the educational standards in the Powai region?
My journey as a Rotary Ann has been very fulfilling. Due to this platform I have had various opportunities to serve society and in the process have moved on the path of my human revolution and found immense happiness. We should all keep eyes and ears open for children who are not going to school by talking to our maids, drivers and other helpers and motivate them and their parents to understand the importance of education. We should look into the reason behind their not going to school and if it is financial see what the Rotary platform can do. We should also help by providing vocational platforms. By interacting with the teachers and the Principals of our adopted schools we can be a channel for providing good quality education. We should strive towards making Powai 100 % literate.
Parents and other family members should give enough time, attention and respect to the teenagers and leave them with no time for drugs and other vices. If you were to advise youngsters, what would you call as the success mantras of having a good education?
My advice to youngsters, is to have humbleness, zeal for learning and respect for all elders as the success mantras of having a good education. Knowledge & skills will follow automatically. 11
I would like to end with the message that Winning and Losing is a game of life... Just let go... Dream... Create... Aspire and you will Definitely Achieve... have Faith in yourself and God.
The Year That Was...
Excerpts from the Peak Year @ RCBP
BOD of the Peak Year
TB Bhagao... Zindagi Badhao...
Sukhada: Toilet Block for Girl Students
Donation of Mats, Books, Eateries
Kids Visit Nehru Planetarium 12
Excerpts...
Child Development Projects
Solar Lighting at Palghar
Donation of Dialysis Machine to Masina Hospital
Vocational Center (inaugarated in 2014-15) At Kailash Complex
Ladies Night 13
Excerpts...
Po
wa Fe
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Projects of Pratham: First Quarter
Together, we make It happen...
1st July, Friday: Blood donation drive (Petrofac, Aranca) 8th July, Friday: Blood donation drive (Capita) 9th July, Saturday: Students Felicitation 23rd July, Saturday: Installation Function (Rodas) 11th and 12th August: TZP in BMC schools (District Project) 13th and 14th August: Club Picnic 15th August, Monday: Independence day (Durga Devi School and Sr Citizens Group) 28th August, Sunday: Membership Seminar 30th and 31st August: Eco Ganapathi at DD & SN School
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You are Invited to Party...
The Official Party List...
1st July: 3rd July: 4th July: 6th July: 7th July: 8th July: 9th July: 17th July: 19th July: 22nd July: 23rd July: 24th July: 25th July: 26th July: 27th July: 29th July: 31st July:
Birthday of Rtn.Spouse Sandip Smrati Mehta Birthday of Abhay Bhargava Birthday of Rtn.Child Swetha (Dr. Deepak & Girija Deshpande) Birthday of Rtn. Child Shravan (Vanita & Shridhar) Birthday of Rtn. Child Sharad (Harish & Sudha Iyer) Birthday of Rtn. Child Dr. Harshvardhan (Subba & Vijaya Reddu) Birthday of Rtn Child Shivani (Ameeta & Rajnish Vohra) Anniversary of Sharad & Parul Sancheti Anniversary of Nikhil & Pallavi Gurjar Birthday of Rtn. Ann Sudha Harish Iyer Birthday of Poonam Sheshadri Birthday of Jaishankar Krishnan Birthday of Bhasker Bhattacharya Birthday of Rtn. Child Prashant (Adarsh & Rekha Sakhuja) Birthday of Kishore Degwekar Birthday of Savita Govilkar Birthday of Rtn. Child Yukti Anand Khanna Birthday of Dipanwita Dutt Birthday of Rtn. Child Vikram (Pankaj & Nita Shah) Birthday of Rtn. Spouse Sheshadri Poonam Anniversary of Adarsh & Rekha Sakhuja Birthday of Mohan Nair Birthday of Rtn. Child Jaya (Ram & Mohini Ahuja) Birthday of Rtn. Child Saloni (Omrakash & Renu Agarwal) Birthday of Rtn. Ann Sonali Divyesh Thakrar Birthday of Rtn. Ann Dr. Varsha Kishore Degwekar Birthday of Tejal Sheth
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The Official Party List... 1st Aug: 5th Aug: 7th Aug: 12th Aug: 19th Aug: 21st Aug: 22nd Aug: 27th Aug: 28th Aug: 31st Aug:
Birthday of Rtn. Child Esha (Shree & Rani Bhave) Birthday of Adarsh Sakhuja Birthday of Rtn. Ann Chandrika Jagdish Gajjar Birthday of Hanuman Tripathi Birthday of Sunita Sainani Birthday of Reghunathan Srinivasan Anniversary of Vanita & Shridhar Birthday of Rtn.Ann Pallavi Nikhil Gurjar Anniversary of Pravin & Kashmira Tonsekar Birthday of Rtn. Ann Seemadevi Rajnish Lokhande Birthday of Rtn. Child Vasundhara (Abhay & Ruchi Bhargava) Birthday of Rtn. Child Harsh (Kamlesh & Amisha Vora) Anniversary of Jagdish & Chandrika Gajjar Anniversary of Harish & Sudha Iyer Birthday of Bharati Shenvi
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We meet every Monday at Forest Club, Hiranandani @ 7:30 pm