San Fernando Valley Gujarati Association Cultural Program 2007

San Fernando Valley Gujarati Association Cultural Program 2007 SPIRIT of GUJARAT Saturday, September 8 th 2007 California State University, Northridge Performing Arts Center 18111 Nordhoff Street Northridge, CA 91330

SHREE GANESHAY NAMAH वकरतणड सरय क ट न रव घनम सरव क रयष मह क य सम परभ । कर म दव सरवद । Vakratunda - curved trunk Mahakaaya - large bodied Surya kotee - million suns Sama Prabha - with the brilliance of Nirvighnam - free of obstacles Kuru - make Mey - my Deva – Lord Sarva Kaaryeshu - in all work Sarvada – always O Lord Ganesha of Large body, curved trunk, with the brilliance of a million suns, please make all my work free of obstacles, always. Best Wishes Shri Bipin and Smt. Niharika Joshi 2

"Whatever happened, it happened for good. Whatever is happening, is happening for good. Whatever that will happen, it will be for good. What have you lost for which you cry? What did you bring with you, which you have lost? What did you produce, which has destroyed? You did not bring anything when you were born. Whatever you have, you have received from Him. Whatever you will give, you will give to Him. You came empty handed and you will go the same way. Whatever is yours today was somebody else’s yesterday and will be somebody else’s tomorrow. Change is the law of the universe. If you look at what you do not have in life, you don't have anything, If you look at what you have in life, you have everything. " Best Wishes Shri Yogesh and Smt. Prem Patel 3

મ હનદ સ કરમચદ ગ ધ (Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi) બ પજ (1869 - 1948) “Ahimsa Permoo Dharma” ‘Satyagraha’ ‘Passive resistance’ Stand for truth and non-violence Resisting through soul and not physical force being considered the purest form of resistance possible. "One should not behave towards others in a way which is disagreeable to oneself “ “An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind. ” Best Wishes Shri Jitu and Smt. Mina Mehta 4

સરદ ર વલલભભ ઈ પટલ (Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel) લ ખડ પરષ (1875 - 1950) Bharat Ratna The Indian political leader who helped to organize the Indian nationalist movement and after independence in 1947. Succeeded in integrating several hundred princely states into the Republic of India. Best Wishes Shri Dinker and Smt. Aruna Shah 5

મ ર રજ રણછ ડજ દસ ઈ (Morarji Ranchhodji Desai) (1896 – 1995) Indian National political leader - a Gujarati! He joined the government in 1956, becoming minister of finance (1958– 63). He returned to government in 1967 as deputy prime minister and minister of finance, but in 1969 was maneuvered from office by Indira Gandhi and became leader of the conservative opposition. Leading an opposition coalition, he prevailed in the 1977 elections, ending Gandhi's emergency rule. He served as Prime Minister until 1979. Best Wishes Shri Siddharth and Smt. Varsha Desai 6

પ ડરગ શ સતર આઠવલ Shashtri Athavale( (Pandurang દ દ જ (1920 – 2003) Swadhyaya Pariwar “Swadhyaya literally means self-study of spiritual quest” Shashtri Athavale worked whole life going and meeting people to share right understanding of the Hindu religious scriptures Shrimad Bhagwad Geeta and Upnishads. He worked with fellow people as brothers and sisters and motivated them to understand the relationship that one has with others due to presence of God within them and within others. His followers go house to house with the message of Hindu scriptures and try to develop brotherly relations. Best Wishes A Gujarati disciple couple of Dadaji 7

Best Wishes Shri Jesal and Smt. Varsha Parikh 8

Best Wishes Dr. Sharad and Smt. Jyotsna Patel 9

Hinduism Buddhism Jainism Sikhism Islam Parsi Best Wishes Shri Amar and Dr. Krupa Shah 10

Best Wishes Shri Ojas and Smt. Shailee Sheth 11

Best Wishes Shri Arvind and Smt. Nutan, Amit, and Kamini Halani 12

Best Wishes Shree Jigar and Smt. Anamika Banker 13

Shree Jalaram Bapa Great Saint of Virpur. Founder of “Sadavrat” “RAM NAM ME LIN HAI, DEKHAT SABME RAM. TAKE PAD VANDAN KARUN, JAI JAI JALARAM. ” Mara Jogi Jaliyan, Mara pyar souna pran Mara mandiriye padharo aaje bhav thi Bapa umange otaru tari arti Sheri chauta shangaru, samaiya lai avu Sheri nagara vagdava hon to nad thi Bapa umange otaru tari arti Guthee phulada keri mala, bhamake dhupna dhumada Ruda divalada pragatavu mandir dwarthi Bapa umange otaru tari arti Setaram sathe avp, Santo bhakto ne bolavo Aena bahaliya pakthadu hun to prem thi Bapa umange otaru tari arti Dukh daridra metavo, Sathe vigana na ave Mara avaguna jaye, bhakti bhav thi Best Wishes Shri Ashok and Smt. Smita Amarshi 14

स व म दय नन द सरस वत (Marharshi Dayanand Saraswati) (1824 – 1883) He was from Gujarat who became a major spokesman for the 19 th-century Hindu revival that placed exclusive authority in the Vedas. Indian religious reformer, founder of the Arya Samaj movement. He condemned idol worship, untouchability, child marriage, and the low station of women, which he said were not sanctioned by the Vedas. In 1875 he founded the Arya Samaj in Bombay to spread the doctrines of the newly reinterpreted Vedas. Best Wishes Shri Babubhai and Smt. Madu Mehta 15

ॐ भरभव : सव । तत सव तरवरणय भरग ध य दवसय । ध मह । य न परच दय त ॥ oṃ bhūr bhuvaḥ svaḥ tát savitúr váreniyaṃ bhárgo devásya dhīmahi dhíyo yó naḥ pracodáyāt We meditate on the glory of the Creator; Who has created the Universe; Who is worthy of Worship; Who is the embodiment of Knowledge & Light; Who is the remover of all Sin & Ignorance; May He enlighten our Intellect. Best Wishes Star Light Inn 16

Cultural Program Committee 2007 AMIN BHATT BUTALA DAVE DESAI JAMBUSARIA PATEL RAMOLIA SARVAIYA SHAH TRIVEDI VORA Jagruti & Prafull Swati & Vijay Kalpana & Sundeep Ravi & Hemali Shobhna & Jaydeep Daksha & Bharat Prem & Yogesh Nayna & Dhanendra Upama & Niyogi Kala & Kirit Geeta & Asok Darshana & Bharat Surabhi & Ajeet Varsha & Navendu Varsha & Upendra 17

Best Wishes Shri Mahendra and Smt. Urvashi Taylor 18

“For certain is death for the born, and certain is birth for the dead; Therefore over the inevitable you should not grieve. Your very nature will drive you to fight, the only choice is what to fight against. ” “After many births the wise seek refuge in me, seeing me everywhere and in everything. Such great souls are very rare. ” “On action alone be your interest, Never on its fruits. Let not the fruits of action be your motive, Nor be thy attachment to inaction. This is how actions were done by the ancient seekers of freedom; follow their example: act, surrendering the fruits of action. ” “For the uncontrolled there is no wisdom. For the uncontrolled there is no concentration, and for him without concentration, there is no peace. And for the unpeaceful how can there ever be happiness? ” “When a man dwells on the objects of sense, he creates an attraction for them; attraction develops into desire, and desire breeds anger”. Best Wishes a Gujarati couple 21

A few Pioneers of Gujarati Literature Narsinh Mehta Akho Narmad Dalpatram Dayaram Prem Anand Best Wishes Shri Vijay, Smt. Swati, Vivek and Kush Bhatt 22

Great diamonds of Gujarati Literature Pannalal Patel Zaverchand Meghani Chunilal Madia Jyotindra Dave Dhumketu Kalapi Best Wishes Dr. Rajesh and Smt. Rekha Patel 23

Everything about Thee is sweet… Sweet are thine lips, Krishna, So are thine sweet cherubic face, Sweet are thine jet black eyes, Krishna. So is thine soulful laugh, Sweet is thine loving heart, Krishna. So is thine beautiful gait, Hey king of all sweetness in this world. Sweet are thine sweetest words, Krishna, So is thine divine story. Sweet is the place of your stay , Krishna, So is thine greatness, Sweet are thine movements , Krishna, So is thine confusion. Hey king of all sweetness in this world. Sweet is thine flute , Krishna, So is thine foot-dust, Sweet are thine hands Krishna, So are thine feet. Sweet is thine dance Krishna, So is thine friendship. Hey king of all sweetness in this world. Sweet is thine song, Krishna, So is what you drink, Sweet is what you eat, Krishna, So is your sleep, Sweet are thine looks , Krishna, So is thine Thilaka, Hey king of all sweetness in this world. Sweet are thine deeds, Krishna, So is thine path of salvation, Sweet is thine theft , Krishna, So is thine play of love, Sweet are thine oblations, Krishna, So is thine tranquility, Hey king of all sweetness in this world. Sweet is thine necklace of berries, Krishnam. So is thine garland, Sweet is thine river Yamuna, Krishna, So are the ripples in the river, Sweet is thine water , Krishna, So is the lotus in the water, Hey king of all sweetness in this world, Sweet are thine Gopis , Krishna, So is thine playful sport, Sweet are thine right thoughts, Krishna, So is thine salvation, Sweet is what you see, Krishna, So is what is left out, Hey king of all sweetness in this world. Sweet are thine Gopas , Krishna, So are thine cows, Sweet is thine staff, Krishna, So is thine creation, Sweet is what you trample , Krishna, So are thine jokes, Hey king of all sweetness in this world, Everything about Thee is sweet Best Wishes Shri Mahesh and Smt. Sharda Patel 26

Our Mission: To preserve the religious, cultural and social values, promote the educational, recreational experiences, & heritage of the Gujarati people of Southern California. Best Wishes Shri Dinker and Smt. Aruna Shah 27

Salute to Gujarat’s Social Workers Bhaikaka Pujya Mota Ela Bhatt Indulal Yagnik Ravi Shankar Maharaj

Prominent among Gujarati Musicians & Singers Ninu Mazumdar Purshottam Upadyay Ashit & Hema Desai Prafull Dave Avinash Vyas

Mahatma Gandhi on Role of Women "Womanhood is not restricted to the kitchen“ He opined and felt that only when the woman is liberated from the slavery of the kitchen, that her true spirit may be discovered. It does not mean that women should not cook, but only that household responsibilities be shared among men, women and children. He wanted women to outgrow the traditional responsibilities and participate in the affairs of nation. He criticized Indian's passion for male progeny. He said that as long as we don't consider girls as natural as our boys our nation will be in a dark eclipse. ” Best Wishes Dr. Ravi and Smt. Hemali Dave 30

Mahatma Gandhi on Jainism No religion of the world has explained the principle of AHINSA so deeply and systematically as discussed, with its applicability in life, in JAINISM. As and when this benevolent principle of AHINSA will be sought for practice by the people of the world to achieve their ends of life in this world and beyond, JAINISM is sure to have the uppermost status and BHAGWAN MAHAVIR is sure to be respected as a the greatest authority on AHINSA. Best Wishes Dr. Virendra and Dr. Manisha Sanghvi 31

Symbol of the Absolute the most sacred syllable and quintessential symbol of Hinduism, represents the first manifestation of the non-manifest Brahman. “The goal which all the Vedas declare, which all austerities aim at, and which men desire when they lead the life of continence … is OM. This syllable OM is indeed Brahman”. Brahman, in itself, is incomprehensible; so a symbol becomes mandatory to help us realize the Unknowable. OM, therefore, represents both the non-manifest (nirguna) and manifest (saguna) aspects of God. That is why it is called Pranava, to mean that it pervades life and runs through our prana or breath. Best Wishes Dr. Jitu and Smt. Bharti Desai 32

Jeko chavando Jhulelal, Tanhija thenda bera paar, Aayo Laal Jhulelal Best Wishes Shri Ratan and Smt. Purnima Ahuja 33

The Basic Principle of Swaminaryan Bhagawan Dharma (Religion) Bhakti (Devotion) Jnana (Enlightement) Vairagya (renunciation) Maya (Illusion) Mukti (Moksha) Atman (Self) Paramatman (The Supreme Soul) Best Wishes Dr. Jignesh and Smt. Parul Patel 34

CHAKRA SWASTIKA HALF MOON THREE DOTS Knowledge, Rectitude, Character, Salvation The significance of the symbol is that all people can find bliss by following the path of dharma. The chakra, the wheel of dharma, in Jainism, has 24 spokes each representing a specific virtue, Ahinsa being the most prominent. The auspicious swastika is used for meditation. The three dots symbolize gyan, darshan and charitra. The half moon is siddhashila or godhood, the perfect state and the dot inside is Siddha Bhagawan. Best Wishes Shri Anup Jogani 36

Jainism Namo Arihantanam Namo Siddhanam Namo Ayriyanam Namo Uvajjhayanam Namo Loe Savva-sahunam Eso Panch Namukkaro Savva-pavapanasano Manglanan ccha Savvesim Padhamam Havei Mangalam I bow to Arihanta I bow to Siddha I bow to Acharya I bow to Upadhyaya I bow to all Sadhus Sadhvis This fivefold salutations Destroy all sins Amongst all that is auspicious It is the first and foremost Best Wishes Shri Chirag and Smt. Komal Vora 37

Festivals of Gujarat Uttarayan Maha Shivratri Rakshabandhan Holi Ganesh Chaturthi Navratri Gokulastami Kucch Melo Best Wishes Shri Pravin and Prabha Amin 38 Ram Navami Nag Panchami Diwali

Temples of Gujarat Sun Temple Modhera Dwarkadhish - Dwarka Swaminarayan Temple –A’bad Shamalaji Mira Datar Someshwara Temple Dakor Akshar Dham Palitana Jain Temples Somnath Ambaji Best Wishes 39

Uka Solanki C. Kumar Patel Navin Doshi

Mahatma Gandhi on Western Civilization Gandhi was once asked what he thought about Western Civilization. His response was: "I think it would be a good idea. ” "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated“. “You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty. ” “The only devils in this world are those running around inside our own hearts, and that is where all our battles should be fought. ” “Woman, I hold, is the personification of self-sacrifice, but unfortunately today she does not realize what tremendous advantage she has over man. ”

The Salt March - The Dandi March A simple act of making salt shakes the British Empire In early April, 1930 Gandhi, 61 years old, reached Dandi after walking 241 miles in 24 days. He then defied the law by making salt. It was a brilliant, nonviolent strategy by Gandhi. To enforce the law of the land, the British had to arrest the satyagrahis (soldiers of civil disobedience) and Indians courted arrest in millions. There was panic in the administration and Indian freedom struggle finally gathered momentum both inside and outside of India. The picture of Gandhi, firm of step and walking staff in hand was to be among the most enduring of the images of him.

Health is Wealth. Peace of mind is happiness. Yoga shows the way – Swami Vishnu Devananda The word yoga comes from Sanskrit, and it means to "yoke" , or bring together the mind, body, and spirit. Yoga has the potential to transform emotion to devotion, bringing you to calm and inner peace. Disciplining your mind and body as well as connecting with your spirituality are the main goals of the yoga lifestyle. "Calmness is the living breath of God's immortality in you. “ Best Wishes Shri Bharat and Smt. Darshana Shah 44

Society for Rural Assistance to India (SRAI) Established 1967 www. sraindia. org SRAI is a nonprofit, non political, non sectarian organization committed to economic and social development of rural areas of India. SRAI believes that development refers primarily to people and not merely to goods and things. SRAI facilitates this process by providing seed money for worthy projects, establishing comprehensive yet simple technologies suitable for existing economic, social and physical environment and by empowering local villagers through awareness of available resources. Areas of development include agriculture, sanitation, education, small-scale industries, health and hygiene, poultry farming, rehabilitation of elderly and handicapped. Purpose of SRAI is to study economic, social and cultural problems of rural India and to promote ways and means to remedy them. Current Projects : Rama Arogyadham (Dwarka), Rama Krishna Math, Rajasthan Education Society, Shukr-e-Ilahi Scholarship, Aalim Trust, Sharda Kalyan Bhandar, Blind People’s Association, Ganguria School, SPS, Home for Elderly 45

Best Wishes Dr. Navendu and Smt. Varsha Trivedi 46

Best Wishes Shree Jagdish and Smt. Nayna Patel 47

Jana Gana Mana Jana gana mana adhi naayaka jaya hai! Bhaarat bhaagya vidhaata Punjab Sindh Gujarat Maraatha, Dravid Utkala Bangaa. Vindhya Himachala Yamuna Ganga, Uchhala jaladhi taranga. Tava shubh naame jaage, Tava shubh aashish maage, Gahe tava jaya-gaatha. Jana-gana-mangaladayaka jaya hai! Bharat bhagya vidhata. Jaya hai! Jaya hai!