Christmas Party / Swarnim Gujarat celebration by South Gujarat Patel Pragati Mandal in NJ

Under the Leadership of Viru Patel, the South Gujarat Patel Pragati Mandal held its Christmas Party on December 11, 2010 at the Royal Albert's Palace, Fords, NJ. Weather was just perfect for the party. Over 800 guests jam-packed the Ballroom at about 6:30 pm.

The Christmas party had everything that one would ask for: Santa , gifts, dance, music, food and drinks to keep the spirit high. Right from the word "go," it was fun and frolic and the mood soon shifted into party mode with the arrival of Santa Clause - who had brought gifts for all the children. As the clock ticked away the party gathered momentum. The crowd was entertained by some music and dances organized by youth performers - all from our South Gujarat area. Community leaders like Piyush Patel, Sandip Patel, H. R. Shah, Albert Jesani, Dr. Navin Mehta, DR. Viththhal Dhaduk, Padma Khanna (Indianica Academy), J. P. Patel, Anil Patel, Bharat Rana, Thakor Bulsara, Bharat Mehta, Bhavesh Dave and more than 80 chief guests went on stage to light up candles in celebration of Swarnim Gujajarat. Chair person Piyushbhai Patel & Co-Chair Shree Sandip Patel, HR Shah & Mukesh Kashiwala gave very convincing and patriotic speeches emphasizing unity among Gujaratis. DR. Viththal Dhaduk & Albert Jesani gave a presentation on Sardar Patel World Police Unity Tour which will take place in Gujarat in January.

Guests of Honor like Edison Mayor Toni Riccigliano, Edison Councilman Dr. Sudhansu Prasad, NJ State Assemblyman Mr. Upendra Chivukula, Ms. Christine Overton from NJ Chamber of Commerce, Attorney Philip Barrood, Woddbridge Twsp. Attorney James Nolan, Ex- President of Honor Legion Al Sabo were honored with flower bouquets.

Swarnim Gujarat Pride Awards were offered to Chairman Piyushbhai Patel, Co-Chair Sandip Patel, Dr. Balubhai Patel, Pravin Patel of Kola Hotel Group, Preyas Patel (Hotelier from Vermont), Ambalal Patel & Anilbhai Patel.

Protest in Houston against new visa rules

The Indian American community in Houston chose Gandhian way to register their resentment against the new Indian government rules which results in delay in granting visas to NRIs to visit their friends and relatives in India.

Over 800 people gathered in Houston on Dec 12 to voice their protest.

At least four people, three of them past presidents of Gujarati Samaj Houston, undertook a fast to register their protest, which was held at the Vallabh Priti Seva Samaj Temple in the city. Under the new rules, Indians who have acquired American citizenship must surrender their old passports and get a get a surrender certificate before they can get a visa to travel to India.

The Houston Chronicle drew attention to the cause with a lengthy report on the fast and the protest in its Dec. 12 issue.

The four people who undertook the 24-hour fast were three past presidents of the Gujarati Samaj - Ramesh Shah, P.V. Patel, and P.M. Desai - as well as Lalit Chinoy, all senior citizens. The commui members wanted to apprise the consulate of the hassle caused to people because of the new rules and if there was a way to improve their system.

P.V. Patel, a community leader, told the Chronicle that many people have waited six weeks or even months for their visas, whereas in the past they got visas on the day they applied.

NY Governor appoints Andy Shenoy as UNDC director

The Governor of State of New York David Paterson has appointed Indian- American business leader of tri-state area Andy Keshav Shenoy as board of director on the United Nations Development Corporation (UNDC).

The appointment was made in consultation with United Nations Secretary- General and United States Ambassador to the United Nations. United Nations Development Corporation is a public benefit corporation created by the State and City of New York to assist the UN with real estate requirements that include planning, development and financing.

Andy Keshav Shenoy, President of Trivision Group Inc in New York has been politically active for over two decades, and he is credited for arranging several important meetings for Indian and South Asian community leaders with several New York Governors, New York City Mayors as well as State Legislative Leaders. Andy Shenoy has served all previous three administrations on a bi-partisan basis.

In September of 2003, he was responsible for facilitating the meeting between the then Prime Minister of India Atal Bihari Vajpayee and the then New York Governor George E. Pataki to discuss bilateral trade arrangements and economic developments between New York State and India.He is also the President of Indo-American Promotion - a not-for-profit organization and he has been instrumental in the development of economic ties between India and the State of New York.

In 2005, Shenoy was a recipient of Governor's award of Excellence for his significant contribution to the social, economic and cultural development of New York State and the nation.Shenoy holds several important appointments, including Special Advisor for South-Asian affairs to the then Governor George Pataki and he continues to serve on the Board of Directors of "The Hugh L. Carey Battery Park City Authority" and the State Advisory Board of Tourism. He currently serves on New York's Governor-elect Andrew Cuomo's Transition Team.

An vita Mishra wins 2010 South Asian Spelling Bee

An vita Mishra, a student of Middle school from Bay Area, spelled final w o r d "Naunkeag" to emerge winner at the third South Asian Spelling Bee competition where 18 spellers from nine centers across US participated as finalists. A check of $10,000 was handed to the winner by MetLife. Susana Roy from New York who lost the title in 17th round, was the first runner- up followed by Sriram Hathwar of DC area as the second runner up.

Western Union '50 Days of Giving' winner Mercy Corps get $150,000 grant

The Western Union Company, a leader in global payments, announced that Mercy Corps is the charity that received the most votes during Western Union's 50 Days of Giving holiday campaign. Right in time for the New Year, Mercy Corps will receive a total of $170,000 in grant funds from Western Union's 50 Days of Giving campaign, which six-time Grammy-Award winning recording artist John Legend helped launch with a private performance in New York City on November 9.

Western Union kicked-off the 50 Days of Giving campaign in November to help raise charitable-giving awareness during the holiday season. Western Union announced an initial total of $100,000 in grants to benefit five non-government organizations: Boys & Girls Clubs of America, CARE USA, Mercy Corps, Save the Children and The U.S. Fund for UNICEF.

Western Union and John Legend also unveiled www.50daysofgiving.com - an online voting site that encouraged consumers to take an active role in supporting one of the five charities this holiday season. Mercy Corps received the most online votes during the voting period, which ended on December 25, and as a result, they will receive an additional $150,000 grant from Western Union.

"We are thrilled to have won 50 Days of Giving," said Jeremy Barnicle, Chief Development Officer for Mercy Corps. "We are very thankful to Western Union for offering people this opportunity to mobilize in support of our work. This is a great victory for people in need around the world."

"Giving back is part of Western Union's commitment to the communities it serves. 50 Days of Giving offered consumers the opportunity to decide where that support went this holiday season," said Stewart A. Stockdale, President, The Americas and EVP Global Cards and Global Key Accounts, Western Union. "We are proud that we engaged consumers and more than 92,000 votes in an effort to generate awareness for charitable giving this holiday season."

According to a Western Union survey conducted by Wakefield Research, 66 percent of consumers plan to give to charities this holiday, while 36 percent believe it's their duty to donate to philanthropic causes regardless of their personal financial situation.

The survey also revealed 50 percent believe that businesses, regardless of their financial health, are obligated to give to charity.

For more information on how to send the gift of cash to friends and family or pay holiday bills, visit www.WesternUnion.com.

1000 lights for peace marks Gandhiji's birth anniversary in Houston

1000 Lights for Peace, a citywide event, happens ever year on the Sunday following Mahatma Gandhi's birthday at Miller Outdoor Theater. Wonderful weather graced the event held on Sunday, October 3, 2010 with non-stop entertainment starting at 5 pm. Kick-off for the 1000 Lights of Peace started at the Mahatma Gandhi statue in the Rose Garden with 5thAnnual Walk for Peace. There was a beautiful opening ceremony with garlanding of the statue to the tunes of Mahatma Gandhi's favorite bhajans. Two couples dressed as Mahatma Gandhi and his wife, Kasturba led the walk along with the Grand Marshall, Mayor Pro-Tem of Sugar Land, Tom Abraham. The 5K walk culminated on the stage of the Miller Outdoor Theatre where the 1000 Lights for Peace program followed.

Kids of all ages enjoyed the balloons, face painting, origami art, and henna tattoos. There was a constant crowd earnestly viewing the photographic exhibition entitled Gandhi Darshan and browsing the books and material from the Mahatma Gandhi Library. Scattered throughout the park, an exhibition of stamps from around the world featuring Mahatma Gandhi entranced the audience. The dignitaries present included Chief Guest, Harris County Judge Ed Emmett and his wife, and Jim "Mattress Mac" MacIngvale as Keynote Speaker. Mahatma Gandhi Library presented its very first Mahatma Gandhi Ahimsa Award to Rima Patel, a teenager who has applied Gandhiji's principles into practical applications by starting her project T.A.P. standing for Teams Advocating Peace.