At ISW, we optimistically hope that this year will gradually return to the 'new normal'. With that in mind, we are making plans for a packed calendar of events that will keep you engaged - whether you are young or old and addressing all interests. Look out for the details at our website.
I am sure you are as excited as we are for the opening of the new ISW India Center. Look out for further announcements and details. As always, I am available via email at president@iswonline.org and look forward to hearing from you.
Puneet Kohli, President ISW
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ISW Speaks with noted philanthropist and entrepreneur, Dr. Desh Deshpande
Catch a glimpse of an exclusive video interview with Desh Deshpande by ISW eSandesh team member, Ragoo Raghunathan. More details in the Your Professional Self section.
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Check out the latest ISW India Center additions
New fixtures are being installed, sound systems are being wired and the brand new projection displays are up. Take a look in this update video. We are almost there!
Thanks to all the supporters who made this possible. Show your support at
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ISW in the News!
ISW raised its profile in the local community with an article in the Community Advocate, the top weekly in MetroWest, about the new Executive Board and Officers. Check it out here. We thank them for their support.
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UPCOMING ISW EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
Unpacking Stigma, Breaking Barriers: Mental Health in the South Asian Community
March 6th, 3:30 - 5:00 pm
ISW, in collaboration with Harvard School of Education and other institutions, presents a panel discussion on mental health stigma within the South Asian Community and the impact of culture on mental health. How can we build resilience and overcome barriers to mental health support? ISW is ably represented on the panel by Shubh Agrawal, Usha Verma, and Dr. Kamolika Roy. You can look forward to an engaging conversation with time for questions. Click here for more info and to register.
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Navigating the College Application Process
Mental Wellness and Time Management
Save the date: March 20, 2021
Save the date for a webinar and discussion group on "Mental Wellness and Time Management" for parents and students whilst they navigate the college application process. Led by Shubh Agrawal, School Counselor, Worcester Academy and IYG Advisor. Future sessions on more detailed topics are planned. Interested parents and students can find details on the website.
Mayank Jaiswal & Poonam Hingorany
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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.
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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.
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ISW Puzzle Challenge - II
Over the February vacation week, ISW successfully conducted its second Puzzle/Lego Structure Challenge. Due to popular request, we included Lego structures in addition to 1000 piece puzzles. Over a dozen families participated giving them a much needed break from screen time. Many families completed not just one item, but multiple puzzles or Lego structures. Find out more and the winners on our website.
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SAYAA marked BLACK HISTORY month with Movie Night
SAYAA (South Asian Youth Activists and Allies) recognized Black History Month in February with a Movie Night jointly watching the movie, "13th", a powerful movie discussing the history of racial inequality in the United States, especially focusing on the African American community disproportionately placed in the nation's prison system. Prior to the Movie Night, SAYAA invited those attending and others to donate and support groups helping those disproportionately impacted by economic downturns. Read the complete summary on the website.
COVID Vaccine Townhall
On February 26th, ISW, in partnership with the City of Worcester and the UMass Medical School, hosted a webinar with experts from the healthcare system answering many questions about the vaccine rollout. If you missed it, view the replay on ISW's Facebook page.
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ISW CULTURAL & LANGUAGE SCHOOL NEWS |
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ISW School to celebrate Saraswati Puja
March 14, 2021
We are fortunate to have Sarita Deshpande teach the children bhajans and Anju Shukla to perform puja and teach the children about Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of learning, wisdom, music, and aesthetics. Saraswati’s birthday is the time to begin new studies. She is believed to bless people who take up intellectual pursuits. Click here for details and bhajans the children will sing.
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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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This issue we introduce a new section in ISW's eSandesh with contributions from ISW Youth ranging from creative writing, poetry, opinion pieces and many more. A number of our young volunteers will be working to fill this space. We kick off the section with a moving poem written by one or our volunteers.
Andrew Jackson and Mt. Rushmore
By Tharegha Manoharan
The great Mt. Rushmore,
Is open to take more.
The 7th president, Andrew Jackson,
Now needs an action.
Shall he be added?
Or is it considered invalid?
Shall he stay?
‘Cause how can he be on display?
All of em’,
Are white rich men,
Again, and again.
Can’t there be anyone else?
Many in our great nation have acquired progress,
And their paths are unique ways to attain success.
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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Jumping obstacles in your professional career – one obstacle at a time
An exclusive interview with Desh Deshpande for ISW eSandesh
by Ragoo Raghunathan
Many small businesses and non-profit organizations are started by people with pure passion and a good heart. A few fortunate entrepreneurs see their ventures take off while many face daunting failures. Even successful ones often lack the operational experience needed to scale and establish their business; to take it to the next level. How does one approach and overcome these obstacles?
I had the opportunity to talk to Dr. Desh Deshpande, a noted entrepreneur and philanthropist who has been through this multiple times, and had him shed some light and impart his advice to our readers. Read the entire interview on our website.
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ISW COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTIONS |
Aavjo
By Pravin Trivedi
Most languages are quite abrupt when it comes to an end of a relationship, even a temporary one. The words used are good bye, salaam ale kum, see you, till then. A few like French, German and my mother language Gujarati imply that we’ll meet again for sure.
Our regular contributor Pravin Trivedi bids au revoir in his column and exhorts others to follow his lead. We thank him for his contributions and look forward to hearing from our readers. Click here to read the rest of the story.
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Online Volunteering Opportunities
By Priya Vaidya
“If our hopes of building a better and safer world are to become more than wishful thinking, we will need the engagement of volunteers more than ever.” — Kofi Annan
Volunteering is a noble act to take on regularly during our routine lives. I believe this gives immense satisfaction at a personal level and it helps the community and strengthens one's commitment towards society and humanity at large. This past year has been particularly challenging due to the pandemic when many volunteering opportunities were inaccessible or not possible due to social distancing.
Just as we learnt to do many things virtually like socialization, learning and shopping, you can also do "online volunteering" with this very useful list of resources and links. This is a useful resource for teens, high schoolers, college students as well as adults who can make a huge difference to the community by giving their precious time and applying the useful skills they possess. Check out the list of resources on the ISW website and find something that suits your skills, time availability and your interests. Good luck!
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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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