ISW President's Message
Dear ISW Supporters
It's that time of the year again when people can catch a glimpse of India's diverse cultures as the country celebrates the new year and the first harvest of the year in different regions as Baisakhi, Vishu, Poila Boishak, Gudi Padwa, Ugadi, Bohag Bihu, Pana Sankranti, Cheti Chant or Puthandu. We wish all who celebrate a Happy New Year.
April is also National Volunteer Month and we want to recognize the hard work of all the ISW volunteers without which this society would not have been possible. The dedication and support of ISW’s amazing volunteers has helped it grow in leaps and bounds from its inception in 1963. Through the efforts and energy of its volunteers, it has become a vibrant organization providing a window into the cultural heritage of India, not only for Indians but for the Greater Worcester community.
To mark this Volunteer Month, we are launching a new program to recognize exceptional volunteers with the Presidential Volunteer Service Award. We hope to track the contributions of our ISW volunteers and, with their permission, submit the names of those who qualify to be recognized by the White House. Please help us by documenting the hours you spend volunteering for ISW at the two links below. It will also help us greatly in the future with our grant applications. Completing the spreadsheets is completely voluntary.
Thank you for your time and please accept our gratitude and appreciation. Do drop me a note at president@iswonline.org if you would like to get even more involved!
Puneet Kohli, President India Society of Worcester
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UPCOMING ISW EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES |
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ISW Student Awards Program
Deadline April 15, 2021
India Society of Worcester is inviting and accepting applications for the annual ISW Student Awards for 2021. If you know any high school students that might be eligible, please let them, or their parents, know about these awards and encourage them to apply. Applications open March 1st and are due by April 15, 2021. Details are on the ISW Student Awards page.
Awards Chair: Rashi Khanna
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College Application Process: Crafting a great college application
April 17, 2021, 3:30 PM
Ms. Susan Goodkin, a graduate of Harvard University, Harvard Law School, and Oxford University, will speak about crafting/creating a great college application. In addition, three recent college students will share their personal experiences. Session will be moderated by Mayank and Shiamin. Click here to register for the event. Please send any questions to collegeconnect@iswonline.org
Dr. Mayank Jaiswal and Poonam Hingorany
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ISW Art Competition
Saturday April 24, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
Application Deadline April 13, 2021
A unique virtual art competition - compete live, in person online! Open to artists of all ages. You will be placed in an age appropriate category. Applications close April 13th! Entry fee: $10. Click here to register. Hurry before registration closes.
Competition Planning Team: Shivangi Dasgupta, Anupama Debroy, Shiamin Melville, Sarita Deshpande
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Ram Navami Celebration
Sunday April 25, 2021, 6:00 - 7:30 pm
Ram Navami, celebrated to commemorate the birth of Lord Rama, is a spring Hindu festival which marks the birth of Lord Rama, the seventh avatar of Lord Vishnu on the ninth day of Chaitra Navratri. Bhajans, poetry, dance followed by aarti. Join us on Facebook Live. Any questions contact: nishabawa60@gmail.com
Nisha Bawa, Chair, ISW Religious Committee.
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ISW offers Free Online Yoga sessions for adults & youth
- Daily 6.30 am Yoga by Hemant Gera
- Mondays, 10 am Chair Yoga by Latha Radhakrishnan
- Tuesdays & Saturdays, 11 am Chairobics by Stuti Khanna
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Upcoming Events
Here is a brief summary of our upcoming events in May. You can find more details on the ISW Website.
Intellectual Multitasking: Balancing Passion with Profession
May 6, 2021, 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM
A panel of New England women leaders share their experiences on multitasking with finesse. First of a series hosted by ISW Women Empowering Women (ISW WEW). Click for info.
QI (key) Communication skills for middle schoolers
Saturday, May 8th, 2021, 10:00 to 10:45 am
ISW University presents online webinar on QI (key)communication skills for middle schoolers.
ISW Antakshari 2021 – Sure'ely fun for Everyone!
Finals – Sun, May 22
This year, we aim to hold a hybrid Antakshari (dependent on state COVID regulations).
Register here by May 5th deadline. Prelims – Sat, May 8 and Sun, May 9
Finals - Sun, May 22
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ISW EVENT RECAP
by Shubh Agrawal
SAYAA (South Asian Youth Activists and Allies!) joined the April 10th IYG meeting to host a fun and interactive "Kahoot!" trivia game about the interconnected histories of South Asian and Black people and their pursuits for justice! Test your knowledge & try your hand at some of the trivia questions.
- What word was used to describe Dr. Martin Luther King on his visit to India?
- What was the impact of the Supreme Court's decision in the case about Bhagat Singh Thind?
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Interview with Dr. Siddhartha Shah
Curator South Asian Art and Director of Education and Civic Engagement,
Peabody Essex Museum
By Devishi Jain, ISW Youth Reporter
Siddhartha V. Shah joined the Peabody Essex Museum in 2018 after a long career as an entrepreneurial art professional with wide-ranging interests in South Asian art. Most recently, he curated the installation of the PEM’s new South Asian Galleries shedding new light on the museum’s renowned Chester and Davida Herwitz Collection of modern Indian Art. We learn more about how he embarked on his career in this fascinating interview by ISW Youth Reporter, Devishi Jain.
Can you tell me a little bit about where you’re from and where you grew up?
I was born in Lake Forest, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, and my family is from Gujarat, I grew up going back [to India] really often. We spoke Gujarati almost exclusively at home. My mother does not wear Western clothes and they’re very, very Indian in that sense. I grew up in a very white suburb. At the time, Michael Jordan from the Chicago Bulls wanted to be a part of the country club in our town, and they would not let him in because he was black, so it was quite a white, elitist town that I grew up in. You can read the the rest of the interview on our website.
If your child is interested in showcasing a piece or writing for eSandesh, please have them email newsletter@iswonline.org with a sample writing piece, their areas of interest and their grade and school.
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ISW CULTURAL & LANGUAGE SCHOOL NEWS |
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ISW Tutoring Match Program
Looking for Homework Help? The ISW Tutoring Match Program can help. If you are looking for help with your child’s online homework or course work in any school grade, please fill out the info at this link.
If you are a student in grade 9 to 12, who is interested in being a volunteer teacher,
Mansi Gera, Krishnaa Amin, Shubh Agrawal, Ruchi Chauhan & Shiamin Melville
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ISW COMMUNITY NEWS & CONTRIBUTIONS |
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Often I Wish
by Asha Singh
अक्सर मेरा मन करता है
चाँद छुपा लूँ नयनों में,
अंजुलि में सागर को भर लूँ।
धरती नापूँ दो पग से मैं,
अम्बर को उंगली पे धर लूँ।
बादल उलझाऊँ बालों में,
तारों को झोली में ले कर,
कदमों के तले कलियाँ हों बिछी
उन्मुक्त फिरूँ मैं इधर उधर।
आशा
Asha Singh, Teacher, ISW Cultural and Language School
Click here to read the rest of the poem and translation on the website.
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A Conversation About Shrewsbury Schools
Sunday April 18th, 2021, 2:00 - 4:00 pm
Facebook.com/iswonline
Join Ashish Cowlagi with Dr. Joe Sawyer, Beth Casavant and Jason Palitsch in a conversation about plans for post-Covid, proposition 21/2 vote and more
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How to Get a Temporary Work Visa for the US
By Ragoo Raghunathan
One of the most popular topics at get togethers or professional networking events is visa and work permit. Often dependents who accompany their spouses are wondering if they can take up a job, start earning to settle down and start their family. I have taken a few paragraphs from www.visaplace.com to highlight and offer a quick refresher on some of the visas and requirements. Click here to read the rest of the article on our website
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Contact Information
India Society of Worcester
Mailing Address: PO Box 136, Shrewsbury, MA 01545
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Answering Machine: 508-842-9795
Website: www.iswonline.org
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