By Alka Gupta

Recently ICC Seniors celebrated the Raksha Bandhan and Independence Day on 7th Aug. which was a blast. There were about 200 people who attended the program with atleast 3 generations participating. Sushma Chopra, one of the senior volunteer was the master of the event. The chief guests at the event was Dave Corteese, who is the supervisor at the Santa Clara County. He presented a plaque of commendment to the Senior program at this occasion.

It was a 2 hr. program which started with some speeches on both occasions, followed by patriotic songs like “Vande maa taram” and Raksha bandhan songs like “behna ne bhai ki kalai pe pyar bandha hai” sung by an invited guest Vinita Kulkarni. The Seniors performed a group song as well called “janani janam bhoomi” . Kids from the Summer Camps performed several songs as well. The seniors did the usual Jollywood dance on the number “chak de india”. No event is complete without a Jollywodd dance number !!

This was followed by a ceremony where all women seniors tied rakhees to their men counterparts in the spirit of brother-sister feelings.

And the grand finale was the delicious lunch which was thoroughly enjoyed by all. All in all, a full event planned and executed by the seniors, for their families and friends.

A quote by M L Swamy on the program:
“The event on 07 August 2009 was superb.  The Independence Day Items were full of dignity, decorum and respect for our country, India. It showed that where ever we are, even ten thousand miles away, we still have the love and patriotism for our country, which has brought us up and given us our individuality as an Indian, a patriotic Indian.
 
The Rakhi program was excellent and reminded of the the love and affection between brothers and sisters.  The affection with which our sisters tied Rakhis to our brothers, reminds us of the olden days when sisters were taken care of by the brothers.  In my case, my father took care of his sister with five tiny kids, who was widowed early in 1931.  He brought her to our house and took care life long, educated all the kids, got them all married and made them good citizens of India.  Ofcourse now the sisters are all educated and are on their own and don't much need the support of brothers.  The Rakhi program was touching for me.
 
The tiny tots (children) program was very pleasant.  You are doing great service to the Indian families in the bay area by arranging wonderful and useful summer camp classes in ICC.  It was a feast to see the litttle children singing and playing in a disciplined manner.
 
We enjoyed the good lunch.  Equally nice was the meet of all our seniors from Milpitas and Cupertino.  We were so happy to meet one another and to spend the two hours happily, forgetting all the world around.
 
This is all due to the untiring efforts you are making to keep the Seniors in good shape and be happy in their old age.  The life of the seniors is extended due to the meaningful programs you are formulating for the welfare of the seniors and the community.  Hats off to you and your energy.  May God give you many more years of Healthy, Happy and Energetic life to serve the community.  You are the LIVE WIRE of the India Community Center.  CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN FOR THE WONDEERFUL PROGRAM!”

Sums it all!!

By Alka Gupta