www.kpsna.org

HOME

A non-profit organization of Kadwa Patels from Saurashtra region, living in America and Canada

KPSNA 2008 Charitable Report

KPSNA recently held very successful Second Senior Convention from Friday, January 29th 2010 to Monday, February 1st 2010. Stay tuned for the synopsis of this convention.

While we are putting finishing touches, click here to view photos.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

KPSNA First Senior Citizen’s Convention:

This was the first KPSNA Senior Citizen’s convention.
It was held at Surfside Inn & Suites in Virginia Beach, Virginia from January 16- 19, 2009.
This beautiful Ocean front facility was provided to seniors by Families of Mrs. Anjana & Mr. Ashwin Javia of Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Convention Chairs were Mrs. Anjana & Mr. Ashwin Javia of Virginia Beach, Virginia.
The purpose of this convention is to have senior citizens get together, socialize with other seniors, gain knowledge about various issues relevant to them, Medical Screening , Eye screening and to discuss the challenges and problems facing them in USA.
120 seniors attended this convention from all over USA.

Read Newspaper Article in Gujarat Times (1/30/2009)	Read Newspaper Article in Akila (1/27/2009)
Read Newspaper Article in Tiranga in NJ (February 2009)	Read Umiya Parivar Magazine Article (March-April 2009)
View Photo Glimpses of Convention

Convention Highlights:

Day # 1 (Friday, January 16^th, 2009):

Hosts performed traditional Kathiavadi Garba followed by a drama based on Village life to entertain the seniors. Participants included young children speaking in fluent Gujarati to local seniors.
Dr. Atul Kansagara (Cancer Specialist) of Dalton, Georgia talked and advised about Cancer Prevention and early detection.
Dr. Madhu Kansagara (Psychiatrist) from Dalton, Georgia discussed in open forum about psychiatric issues in elderly especially to immigrants.

Day # 2 (Saturday, January 17^th, 2009):

Day began with Instructions about Pranayam and Yoga from Mr. Pravin Kalaria, (A Yoga instructor) Long Island, NY. More then 90 attended this early morning session.
This was followed by Fasting Blood Sugar and Cholesterol testing to the attendees.
Then the seniors were transported to a Hindu Temple & Community Center of Hampton, Virginia. Everyone chanted with the Priest and prayed for peace.
Afternoon session was highlighted by additional medical screening with BP Check, Height, weight, BMI measurement, EKG and then everyone was counseled about their health by Dr. Mansukh Ramolia, MD Internist from Norfolk, Virginia, Dr. Ketki Dadhania, MD Chief of Medicine at Ancora Psychiatric Hospital, Ancora, NJ and Dr. Vijay Kalola, MD Internist from Somerdale, NJ. In addition those in need got Diet counseling about our diet from Dietician Mrs. Champaben Sarodia of Collegeville, PA. Other medical volunteers included Dr. Bhanji Kundaria, MD Cancer specialist from Arroyo Grande, CA, Dr. Jaman Kothadia, MD Neonatology from Charlotte, NC, Zeal Govani, Medical Student from Virginia Beach, VA, Sudha Dalsania, Echocardiogram Technician, Edison, NJ and Madhu Vachhani from East Brunswick, NJ. Around 100 seniors took advantage of this free medical screening. Many seniors found out about their health problems for the first time.
Under the grant from Congressional Glaucoma Caucus Foundation students from Virginia Medical College performed complete vision screening including cataract, glaucoma and visual acuity check. Around 80 seniors were screened.
In the afternoon seniors entertained themselves with authentic religious songs sung by Mr. Mahidas Kothadia (92 years old, a strict Vaishnav-Krishna Follower from Chudva, Gujarat) and everyone danced around him and followed him in singing Bhajans. He recreated a scene from the Early life of Krishna and everyone was completely engulfed in the emotions that people forgot about the dinner time!
All though the event you could see small groups engaged in their own activities like playing Cards (Teri), singing Krishna Bhajans by Marjadis and just taking to everyone.
The evening event began with in-depth lecture on Immigration by a prominent Immigration Attorney from New York, Mr. Pravin Kalaria. Seniors were noted to take notes from his lecture. None wanted to end very engaging question and answer session and Mr. Kalaria provide very valuable information on an important topic. Mr. Kalaria extended his desire to help the community by providing his home number to everyone and encouraged everyone to call him for any personal needs.
Mrs. Champaben Sarodia (Dietician from Collegeville, PA) gave hand on demonstration and detailed instruction about our diet (Indian and Vegetarian) mainly pertaining to diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol. She even got the food from the kitchen and explained about what a portion size should be. Many seniors were caught saying “we never knew that!” Champaben did clear many misconceptions about our diet.
Evening ended with an open forum discussion about the issues and challenges facing the seniors here mainly when they live with their sons, daughters or other relatives. Topics included how to be happy given the present circumstances, best way to live in joint family, how to remain busy during the day, how to get involved in volunteer work and how to pass on our culture, values and heritage to our next generation. Some of the topics generated heated arguments but for the most past everyone young and old gained lot of insight. Seven member panel also gave their valuable input on these issues. At the end everyone was happy that we are trying to discuss openly some of these very sensitive issues facing our Samaj.

Day # 3 (Sunday, January 18^th, 2009):

Morning also began with Pranayam & Yogasan session by Mr. Pravin Kalaria and Mr Ramesh Jadav who showed Patanjali & Yogasutra. Mr. Jadav is a retired Physical Education teacher, a reporter for Gujarat Times and Teaches Patanjali and Spirituality.
Everyone got sweet pleasant surprise when they got to the breakfast where they were treated with Hot Jalebis made by Mr. Shantibhai Gondha of Charlotte, NC. He specially made trip to give his service to seniors and everyone forgot about their blood sugar for the moment!
Late morning session began with information about Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security and information about all other governmental programs available to Seniors by Mr. Joseph Parmar, Social Worker from Woodbridge, NJ. Mr. Parmar explained in detail about what, when and where to do for all these benefits. Again seniors were notice to tek notes about this lecture and question-answer session lasted longer then expected but no one was complaining! Mr. Joseph Parmar is a very well known social worker in USA and he has been proving these information to seniors nationwide for last 14 years. A senior himself, made all other seniors convinced about the valuable information. Mr. Parmar has published a book titled “Guide to Citizenship” in gujarati and “Senior Darashan” in Gujarati. KPSNA offered to give these books to every attendees and Mr. Parmar being so overwhelmed by everyone’s sentiment, offered to give back portion of his proceeds to Samaj. Everyone lined up like getting chocolates in primary school to get hand on this book.
Morning session continued with lecture on Patanjali and Spirituality by Mr. Ramesh Jadav from Kendall Park, NJ. He detailed about how to be happy in life. Mr. Jadav is a reporter for Gujarat Times and is expert on Patanjali.
Afternoon activities were made fun by the local families who showed some mimicry and played games with seniors asking them fun questions. This was later followed by Bhajans, Dhor and religious songs.
Later in the afternoon KPSNA committee was introduced and Past President, Dr. Jaman Kothadia, Charlotte, NC was honored for his Dedication, hard work and Vision for our community. Plaque was presented by his parents Mr. Mahidasbhai & Ujamben Kothadia.
President Dr. Bhanji Kundaria thanked the local families for providing this beautiful facility and their hospitality during the convention. Mr. Mansukhbhai & Mrs. Shardaben Javia and Mr. Amrutlal & Mrs. Kantaben Vachhani were honored for their dedication for the convention.
The night ended with lecture in Gita by Dr. Vallabhbhai Kalaria, Atlanta, GA (retired Surgeon from Junagadh) and this lecture was very well received.
The seniors were asked how they liked the convention unanimously they all said in the united voice that this was the best time of their life. One person was quoted as saying “He would come back from India to attend these conventions”.
The five meal fresh food was prepared on site by Caterers Bombay Express under the management of Ajay Patel.

Day # 4 (Monday, January 19^th, 2009):

Departures were painful for many as they did not wanted to end this convention and you can feel in the air the mixed emotions of happiness for being in the convention and sad feeling about leaving. They all promised to come back for another event possibly of longer duration.

Archives:
2010 Convention:
Information and registration forms.
2009 Convention.
Information and Registration Forms.
Information and Registration Forms in Gujarati.
Registration Confirmation Package.

Disclaimer