october 2015 winter issue 7 - Shree Wanza Community Leicester

Transcription

WANZA
WINTER ISSUE 7
OCTOBER 2015
Contents

3
Wanza Surnames
4
Message from the Secretary
6-25
20th Anniversary
Celebrations
Booklet designed by Vimi Bhaven Gohil
Sent to print by Divyesh Suresh Solanki
Thanks to all youth committee members for gathering
Shree
Wanza
Community
Leicester
the contents
within this
booklet.
26
Charity Corner
28
Navratri
30
SWCL Donations List
35
Membership
36
Children’s Christmas Party
37
Dates for the Diary
38
Navratri Dates
2
Wanza Logo with Surnames
Shree Wanza Community
Leicester
3
001
Message from the Secretary
Jai Gopal, Jai Hingraj Maa
I would like to take this opportunity to send my
warmest greetings on this auspicious occasion
of Navratri and Diwali to everyone. I express my
sincere gratitude to the members of the Trustee
Board along with the Management Committee
of Shree Wanza Community Leicester, and not
forgetting our Youth Committee who have
worked tirelessly delivering a number of events.
I am so proud of our Youth Committee; not only
do they support the Main Committee, they
organise a number of events during the year and
engage in all types of occasions and challenges.
Amazingly taking the lead in religious events,
singing garbas, Hanuman Chalisa, bhajans and,
as we witnessed at recent events, they are fluent
with “shloks” and explaining them in detail, which
is very important for our younger generation and
which, in turn, will encourage other youth to get
involved.
One of the highlights of this year was the 20th
Anniversary Celebration of the opening of
our Gnati Centre (Community Centre) over
the August bank holiday. It was thoroughly
enjoyed by everyone and, most significantly, the
sthaapanaa (establishment) of a Shiv Bhagwan
murti in our Mandir.
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We have completed many projects this
year including the much-needed stair lift
for the elderly and disabled to our Hingraj
Maa Mandir, the replacement of the
old ‘back gate’, and the development
of a brand new baby changing room.
However, it still feels that we have a lot yet
to deliver and, through the community’s
moral and financial support (which
was evident during our 20th Anniversary
Celebration), we are now able to turn
vision into reality. With your continuing
support, I am confident our Community
Centre will further improve in the future.
I would like to recognise the fantastic work
we have done and also the mountain of
good work that still needs to be carried
out as far as the Community’s progress is
concerned. I would like to urge you all to
come forward with your suggestions and
support by getting involved in delivering
the events or a specific project. You can
join a number of sub-teams that have
been formed. For example, sub-teams
for the Mandir, General Maintenance
and Refurbishment, Wedding and
Bereavement,
PA
System,
Garba
Competition, Hall Booking, Income
Generation, Website, Navratri and
Diwali... the list is endless!
Finally, I pray to Hingraj Maa and
Guru Gopal Lal that we have
many opportunities to make further
improvements to our Gnati Centre and
celebrate important events together at
our Centre.
Jayesh Vithal Parmar
SWCL Secretary
Leicester
5
002
20th Anniversary Celebrations
An Overview
Jai Gopal, Jai Hingraj Maa
From castles to a cottage, a building is essentially
composed of walls made of bricks which are
provided with founding support and structure
by strong, upstanding cornerstones and pillars
with, of course, a protective and sheltering
ceiling or roof overhead. Similarly, what makes
a community strong and vibrant is the character
and calibre of the individual members, many of
whom are pre-destined to play out their roles as
strong bricks, whilst some others manifest their roles
as upright cornerstones and pillars, all behaving
according to their respective Praalabhds (future
destiny) and pre-ordained Bhumikaas (role in
life). The ‘roof’ over our particular community’s
‘head’, I believe, is comprised of the grace of our
Kul-Devi, Mata Hingraj, and the enduring moral
values and ancestral traditions of our Purvajos
(founding ancestors or Kul), derived from Guru
Gopal Lal’s teachings on vegetarianism, spiritual
enlightenment, and a peaceful and harmonious
existence in society with goodwill towards all living
beings. Indeed, it is the spirit of its inhabitants
which imbues a building with life and humanity
where an atithi (guest) is held in the same regard
as the Divine Being itself. With time, part of the
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gnatibandhus’ (community members’) collective ‘soul’ becomes imparted
within the walls of the community’s ‘home’, giving it a light with which it shines.
It is my personal belief that the social and spiritual growth and development
of a person’s character is underpinned by not only by the four Purshaarths
(Dharma, Artha, Kaama and Moksha) explained to him or her during the
marriage ceremony, but also by Gyaan,Yoga (Yogic path of knowledge),
Dhaarnaa (concentration) and Sewaa (selfless service). True knowledge of
the Divine (Gyaan) will ultimately lead to increasing closeness to It (Yoga).
This will ensure the transference of Its divine qualities and attributes into the
receiving soul (Dhaarnaa) which, in turn, will transform the person’s thoughts
(Mansaah), speech or words (Vaachaa) and actions or deeds (Karmanaa)
positively into selfless service (Sewaa). This is why the Srimad Bhagwad Gita
refers to the mantras: ‘’Munn manaa bhava’’ and ‘’Maamekam yaad karo’’,
meaning ‘’devote your mind to Me’’ and ‘’let your intellect always remain
in My remembrance’’. This forms the basis of positive thinking. In terms of a
community, positive mindsets will eventually result in increased sneh (mutual
affection), sangathan (solidarity) and samrudhi (wealth and prowess). Just
look how strong and united the Yaadavas (ancestral lineage in which Krishna
was born) were with Lord Sri Krishna as their Swami.
Everyone who contributed their services in the 20th Anniversary Celebrations
are more than worthy of praise, including many of the young professional
generation, but what I personally found particularly invigorating was to
see our very own graduate of Sandipani Vidyaniketan in Porbandar, India,
Krunalbhai Bhagwanji Makwana, becoming an inspirational beacon to our
youth for spiritual development alongside wider social progress. This is essential
in the modern era to maintain our underpinning moral and cultural values
through a deeper understanding of the true meaning and purpose behind
our ancient Vedic religious rites and rituals. Even vyavichaari bhakti (faith in
any potential divine being) needs an ultimate aim, which is Paramaatma.
Over the past 20 years since its formal inception, Shree Wanza Community’s
Centre has proved to be of great service not only to Wanza gnatibandhus, but
also to members of the wider community, many of whom have recognised
its potential as premises for holding religious discourses, communal prayers,
elocution contests, engagement ceremonies and weddings, and even
hobby events like model car racing. The community’s perennial religious
functions of Janmashtami Mahotsav, Navratri and Havan Yagna, Sharad
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Poonam and Diwali celebrations have
been also held within its premises with
much joy and enthusiasm over the years.
In his inaugural speech, President John F
Kennedy said once, “Ask not what your
country can do for you; ask what you
can do for your country.” It fills me with
immense pride, joy and enthusiasm to
observe that this ethos seems to have
transmitted into the characters of my
younger Wanza brothers and sisters and
Wanza children, who are beginning to
assume various responsibilities for the
community’s activities with natural zeal
and confidence. All that is really required
is subtle, unobtrusive direction and
encouragement from some of the more
experienced Management Committee
members for this wealth of potential
to be manifested.
This was made
abundantly clear in the manner in which
the 20th Anniversary Celebrations were
conceived, organised, directed and
executed, with all Wanza generations
becoming involved. My congratulations
to the organisers and participants
and our yajmaan, Laljibhai, Satishbhai
and Kiritbhai Nanji Govind Visawadia
and their families, for recognising this
potential and rising magnificently to the
occasion to invest their faith and support
Wanza Community’s youth in their efforts
to further enhance and develop the
potential of our Community Centre and
human resources for the rising younger
generation.
Sunil Dahyalal Sonigra
SWCL President
Leicester
8
003
ુ ીટી
શ્રી વાાંઝા કોમ્યન
, ૨૦ વર્ષ ઉજવણી.
તારીખ ૨૯, ૩૦, ૩૧ ઓગસ્ટ ૨૦૧૫, બેંક હો઱ીડે વવક એન્ડ, ક્યારે ય ના ભ ૂ઱ાય તેવા
દિવસો.ખરે ખર ખુબજ આનાંિ કયો.
તાયીખ ૨૯, ળનનલાયે એફી ઩ાર્ક ભાાં સ્઩ોર્ટક વ થી ળરૂઆત ર્યી. સ્઩ોર્ટક વ ભાાં નાના છોર્યા
છોર્યીઓ એ નલનલધ યભતો યભી આનાંદ રીધો અને ભોટા, પુરુ઴ો અને ભહશરાઓ દયે ર્ે ઩ણ
બાગ રીધો અને ઩ોતાનુ ાં ફચ઩ણ માદ ર્યુ.ું યભતો યભીને દયે ર્ ર્ોમ્યુનીટી વેન્ટયે આવ્મા. અશી
લાાંઝા ળેપ ની ર્ોમ્઩ીટીળન યાખેર, જેભાાં ૪૦ જેટરા વ્મક્તતઓએ બાગ રીધેર, નલનલધ
લાનગીઓ ઘયે થી ફનાલી ને રઇ આલેર, જેભાાં રેસ્ટય ફશાય થી ર્ોલેન્રી થી અભાયા જીજાજી
વચચનકુ ભાય ઩ણ ડીઝ્રટ ફનાલી ને રઇ આલેર. આલો ભોર્ો ઩શેરીલાય ભળ્મો ર્ે દયે ર્ ળેપ
઩ોતાની ર્઱ા પ્રદનળિત ર્યી ળર્મા, અને ફહુ ફધી નલનલધ લાનગીઓનો સ્લાદ ચાખલા
ભળ્મો. જજ્વ ઩ણ મુશ્ર્ેરીભાાં મુર્ાઈ ગમેર ર્ે ર્ેને ઩શેરો નાંફય આ઩લો, ર્ાયણ ર્ે લાનગીઓ
દે ખાલ ભાાં અને સ્લાદ ભાાં અદ્દભુત શતી.
તાયીખ ૩૦, યનલલાય, ૧૨ લાગ્માથી બોજન અને ત્માય ફાદ ૨ લાગ્મા ઩છી થી લેયામટી ળો
ચાલુ થમો. "૧૯૪૭ થી આજ હદલવ સુધી ની માત્રા" દળાક લત ુાં નાટર્, અને તે નાટર્ ના બાગ
રૂ઩ે આલતી દયે ર્ આઈટમ જેલીર્ે ટીપ્઩ણી, રાઈલમ્યુઝીર્ ળો લગેયે એટલુાં આફેહુફ શતુ ાં ર્ે
દયે ર્ ને ઩ોતાનો દે ળ બાયત અને આહિર્ા ની માદ તાજી ર્યાલી ગમો. નાટર્ નાના અને
ભોટે યાઓને ઩ોતાના જીલન ની માત્રા ર્યાલતુ ાં શતુ.ાં અભો ફધાએ ખુફજ એન્જોમ ર્યુ.ું વાભાન્મ
યીતે ફા઱ર્ો ર્ઈ ર્યે એટરે ભાતા- ન઩તાને ગલક થામ ઩ણ આ નાટર્ ભાાં અભાયા ભાતા- ન઩તા
ને સ્ટે જ ઉ઩ય જોઇ અને આટલુાં વારુાં ઩યપોભકન્વ જોઇને અભોને ખુફજ ગલક થયુ ાં અને આળા છે
ર્ે આલતા ર્ામકક્રભો ભાાં લડીરો ખુફજ ઉત્વાશ થી બાગ લ્મે. અભાયી આજુ ફાજુ ૫૦ - ૬૦ ની
ઉ઩ય ના લડીરો જે ર્શેતા શતા ર્ે “આલો બવ્મ ર્ામકક્રભ અભોએ ક્યાયે મ ભાણેર નથી, અભો
બાયત અને આહિર્ા યશેર તે હદલવો માદ ર્યાલી દીધા”.
તાયીખ ૩૧, વોભલાય, નળલજી મ ૂનતિ ની ળોબા માત્રા ઩છી, નલવાલડીમા ઩હયલાય ના શાથે પ ૂજન
અને સ્થા઩ન લગેયે પ્રવાંગો ખયે ખય ક્યાયે મ ભ ૂરામ નહશ તેલા માદગાય ફની ગમા.
આ પ્રવાંગે રખુ ાં તો રખલાનુ ાં તો ઘણુાં છે , ઩ણ તેના મોગ્મ ળબ્દો ભ઱તા નથી. એર્ ળબ્દ નો
Article by
Hemangi Gohel
ઉ઩મોગ ર્રુાં તો "અદ્દભુત" તે ઩ણ નાનો રાગે છે .
ઇસ્ટ ઓર વેસ્ટ "શ્રી વાાંઝા કોમ્યુનીટી ઱ેસ્ટર" ઈઝ ધ બેસ્ટ.
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004
Wanza Fun Day
To celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Shree Wanza
Community Centre, a three-day celebration
took place. One of the events organised by the
Youth Committee was a ‘Wanza Fun Day’ for
both children and adults and, after months of
preparation, the day was finally here!
The weather was absolutely perfect and people
of all ages came to participate. Before the
games could begin, children and adults were
taken through warm up exercises and then
divided into teams – we had the Gorgeous
Greens, Yellow Sunflowers, Red Devils and Pink
Power… I was part of the Yellow Sunflowers… Go
Sunflowers!
In our teams, we completed various games,
including trying to untangle ourselves when
playing Human Knot and running as fast as we
could in Ram Raja Ravan, which was my favourite
game. After a quick break, the competition
games could begin and each team wanted to
win! The games included a relay event, an ‘eggand-spoon’ race (using golfballs instead of eggs
and plastic spoons from the Wanza kitchen),
an obstacle course and the three-legged race
which was quite tricky, but great fun!
Throughout the day it was really great to see adults
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as well as young children participate
in all of the games – I secretly think
the adults were having more fun!
Everyone was a winner and, at the
end of the day, participants were
awarded medals. It is clear to say
that the Wanza Fun Day was a huge
success because everyone had a
great time!
Priya Parmar
Committee Member
SWCL Youth Committee
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005
Wanz - A - Chef
The unique Wanz-A-Chef Competition was held
on Saturday 29th August, the first day of our 20th
Anniversary Celebrations. It was great to see the
three-day event start on such a high note.
There were three categories: starters, mains and
desserts. We had a total of 42 entries across all
three categories. Chefs came in all shapes and
sizes; young and old, male and female, first-timers
and professionals. We even had entries from
outside Leicester. This showed the enthusiasm
shown by Wanzas all over UK to take part in the
celebrations.
Those present on the day will have seen how well
the dishes were made and presented. It was
amazing to see such great talent shown by our
Wanza chefs!
Everyone got a chance to taste the various items
and will agree with us about how tasty they were!
7 layer Mexican dip, patties, bhajia, cone
chaat, chilli paneer, khandvi, noodles, paneer
cannelloni, lasagne, Jamaican curry, Moroccon
kebab, uttapam, Chinese delight, passion fruit
ravioli, cheesecake, rasmalai, pop cakes, oreo
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cake and shrikhand cheesecake
are just a few highlights of the many
delicious dishes made!
The standard was extremely high and
the judges found it very difficult to
choose one winner in each category.
The winning dishes were:
Starters: Bird’s Nest Chaat
by Hema Vinod Shikotra
Mains: Biryani
by Harsha Dinesh Solanki
Desserts: Apple Roses
by Sunita Milan Sonigra
A BIG thank you goes out to all the
participants for making this event such
a huge success. Their time and effort
has been very much appreciated.
Also, thanks to all who helped us set
up the display and organise the event.
The wonderful fruit and cake display
was kindly prepared by some nonparticipants.
Well done to all!
Beena Shikotra, Ela Shikotra and Simi
Nandha
Wanz-A-Chef Coordinators
SCWL Committee Members
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006
Variety Show
The Variety Show was planned for the second
day of Shree Wanza Community Centre’s 20th
Anniversary Celebrations. It was decided that
the show would start with a rousing praarthanaa
(prayer) and all performances would follow
a time-line covering the last five decades of
our history. The audience would be taken on
a journey from the time Wanzas migrated from
India to Africa and then to the United Kingdom.
The show would be informative, entertaining and
interactive – giving the audience a chance to
reflect upon and share their personal experiences.
A team was put together to write an outline script
for the show, making sure there was an unbroken
thread linking each performance. There would
also be a unique audio-visual presentation
(AV) between performances and audience
interaction sessions to help maintain the theme.
Participants were found for the praarthanaa,
sketches, dances, audience interaction and the
finale. Behind the scenes, there was a team of
youth working on the props, the sound system
and the AV presentation. The script was re-written
several times and the AV perfected over the
months. Practices were held over three months
and, like for our Diwali Shows, a tremendous effort
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was put in by all participants, parents, organisers and backstage teams. Our
sister organisations in the UK and abroad gave us their full support and, where
possible, happily contributed with sketches and dance performances. The end result was a fantastic show which started auspiciously with an uplifting
Gayatri Mantra performed beautifully by a group of young children. This set
the scene for the rest of the show where the audience were kept engaged
and entertained and they applauded each and every item with great
encouragement. Thanks to them, we had a successful chadaavo (fundraiser) for the Shiv Murti sthaapanaa and numerous pledges of donations to
the Community. We all had a chance to re-live our history in an interesting
and hilarious way and were able to pick up a few words of Swahili too! The
grand finale was breath-taking as everyone was on their feet, dancing and
singing the Hanuman Chalisa as a figure of Hanumanji holding a Shiv Linga
descended from the top of the balcony, along the length of the main hall
and on to the stage, bringing with him his blessings and a promise of raksha
(protection) and hope for all Wanzas.
The Variety Show has brought togetherness and unity locally and with sister
organisations across the UK and abroad, too. A great deal of new, or indeed
hidden talent, has been discovered and young and old members alike have
had the opportunity to gain useful skills and experience. The young members
in particular have proved to us that they have the talent and willingness to
take the Community forward and above all they are proud to be Wanza. Variety Show Team
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An Inspiration to Support a Coherent
Community
It was a nostalgic moment. In a unique celebration of
harmony, hundreds of Wanza brothers and sisters came
together for day two of Shree Wanza Community Centre’s
20th Anniversary Celebration; the much anticipated
Variety Show.
As people in the audience relived their nostalgic moments
of when they lived in India and Kenya, the show reminded
me of the many stories that my Baa had told me, and of my
time in Nairobi. The realisation came very quickly that
it is our culture and values that has kept us together; and
despite our vast move from our main base in India, our
culture has not diluted. In fact, very much the opposite;
it has become stronger and still very much instilled in the
families and youth of today.
The Variety Show was a brilliant combination of
traditional Hindu celebrations with a modern twist,
demonstrating that we have embraced the African and
the English culture, yet maintained our values and beliefs
through the years. All the items were show-stoppers that
kept every individual engaged, with something for the very
young right through to our elders.
The turnout and support throughout the weekend
demonstrates that our identity remains resolutely a part
of us and within our culturally-rich community. Jai
Gopal!
Anonymous Variety Show Audience Member
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007
Shiv Yatra, Abhishek and Sthaapanaa
To conclude the 20th Anniversary Celebrations
of our Centre, the third day was devoted
exclusively to Shiva Bhagwaan and his worship.
This marked a historic event within our history;
installing a murti of Shiva Bhagwaan within our
Mandir.
The day started with the yajmaan parivaar
arriving early and conducting the required
ceremonies for Ganesh Bhagwaan, Navagraha
(the 9 planets of Hindu Astrology) and
Kalasha Sthaapana (reverence to the 5
great elements). By this time devotees were
arriving to commence the shobha yatra
(graceful procession) and the Shiva murti was
joyously circumambulated around the premises.
The procession was accompanied by various
dhuns and chants of Shiva Bhagwaan sung with
deep devotion, and then concluded with garba
around Mahadev. Having completed the shobha yatra, the murti
was seated back onto the stage to commence
the Shiva Puja. The priest, whilst reciting
ancient hymns, consecrated the murti of Shiva
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Bhagwaan and explained the significance of the ceremony and the reason
behind the various rituals. These rituals were also explained in English for the
benefit of the youth. Once the Shiva Puja concluded, an opportunity was
given to all devotees to come and offer abhishek to Shiva Bhagwaan with
milk and water. During this period, bhajans, dhuns and hymns of various
kinds were recited, creating a memorable moment in the history of Wanza
Leicester. Once all devotees had offered abhishek, the first aarti was performed
of the deity before devotees headed for lunch. After having lunch and
seeking the permission of Shiva Bhagwaan, another joyful procession
commenced with the yajmaan parivaar bringing the murti from the main
hall to the Mandir. The yajmaan parivaar then seated the murti of Shiva
Bhagwaan in the Mandir whilst ancient Vedic hymns were recited. A murti
of Mataji was also moved into a new position on the opposite side of the
Shiva Bhagwaan murti. Thus concluded the three day celebrations of a
marked occasion in the history of Wanza Leicester.
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Why Shiva?
Before answering “Why Shiva?”, let us discuss who Shiva is and his
significance in our ancient tradition. The term ‘Shiva’ can be loosely
translated from Sanskrit to mean auspicious. Thus, according to Vedic lore,
Shiva Bhagwaan is the embodiment of all auspiciousness. In our tradition,
though we accept many divinities who represent the various aspect of one
supreme reality, our aachaaryas (spiritual guides) have named 5 deities for
the simplification of worship. They are:
1. Ganesh
2. Shakti
3. Shiva
4. Vishnu
5. Surya
Now in our temple, we already have Ganesh, Shakti in the form of Hingraj
Mata, Vishnu in the form of Krishna Bhagwaan and Rama Bhagwaan,
and we also have Surya in the form of Guru Gopal Lalji. Now you may be
wondering, “How can Surya, the sun God, be Guru Gopal Lal?” Good
question. In our scriptures, we refer to Surya as Aadi Guru (the first spiritual
master), thus, in his place, we have his most authoritative representative in
our society as our guru, Guru Gopal Lal.
Taking the above into account, who is missing? Correct! Shiva Bhagwaan
was our missing link. By ‘installing’ Shiva Bhagwaan within our Mandir, we
are now continuing the preservation of the oldest living tradition known to
man.
Krunal Makwana
SWCL Member
Leicester
22
Janmasthmi Celebrations
Leicester
23
Messages from Sister Organisations
Vanza Mandal
On behalf of the Trustees and Management
Committee of Vanza Mandal, I would like
to congratulate Shree Wanza Community
Leicester on celebrating the 20th
anniversary of its Gnati Centre & Mandir.
It was a great pleasure to see the youth of
Wanza Leicester, with the guidance of the
elders, organising such an event and setting
the foundations of the future generations.
May Mata Hingraj and Guru Gopal Lal
bless you all.
Nila Kishor Solanki
President
Vanza Mandal
___________________________________
Wanza Samaj UK
Jai Gopal & Jai Hingraj
Once more on behalf of Trustees, Executive
Committee and general members of Wanza
Samaj UK, our congratulations to Wanza
Community of Leicester on its Centre’s 20th
anniversary.
All of the three day event was organised
wonderfully and we really appreciate
the hard work and effort that the entire
committee has put to mark this event
successful. I enjoyed being a part of
Leicester
seeing the arrival of Shiv Bhagwaan on
the Monday, the Shiv Puja and getting the
chance to do Abhishek. I would like to
thank Wanza Leicester for giving me an
opportunity to say few words on behalf of
the Wanza Samaj UK.
Wishing you all best wishes
Sunita Chudasama
President of Wanza Samaj UK
___________________________________
The Vanza Society of London
Jai Gopal & Jai Hingraj to all Vanza
Bandhus,
My thanks for your kind invitation to attend
the 20th Anniversary Celebrations of the
Shree Wanza Community Centre (SWCC).
This occasion specially served to mark
the goalpost for reaching 20 years of the
Community Centre.
My heartfelt thanks to all your members
for receiving my wife and I and other
committee members with warm conviviality.
The wonderful programme was extremely
well presented and performed. The
interaction with the Community was
immensely impressionable.
It is my honour to extend my warm
24
Messages from Sister Organisations
felicitations to the Wanza Leicester Youth
Committee who organised much of the
event.
It gives me immense pleasure and pride to
convey my best wishes and congratulations
to each and every one who put together
the tremendous programme depicting how
Vanzas have progressed since arrival to this
country to present date.
Finally, this period of 20 years has seen
Shree Wanza Community Leicester flourish
and become a source of pride for all the
Vanza Communities, here and abroad. May
you continue for many years to come.
Best wishes to the present Management
and Youth Committees. May you go
forward and fulfil your goals. May Mata
Hingraj and Gopal Lal Maharaj give
you all strength and vision to reach great
pinnacles.
Arvind Popatlal Solanki
President
The Vanza Society of London
___________________________________
their Community Centre and Mandir of our
revered Kul-Devi, Mata-Hingraj.
I would like to thank the Trustees and
the Committee Members of Shree Wanza
Community Leicester for inviting me and
the members of The Vanza Community
of South London to be part of the
celebrations. It was an enormous privilege
to attend the celebrations and to be given
the opportunity to address the Community.
Let us pray to Hingraj Maa and Guru
Gopal Lal for every individual to bring
strength and prosperity in uniting all Vanza
communities.
The Trustees and the Executive Committee
Members of The Vanza Community of South
London congratulate all the past and
present Trustees, Committee Members and
the supporting
Community Members of the Shree Wanza
Community Leicester for their dedication to
accomplishing such a beautiful and vibrant
Community Centre.
Jai Gopal.
The Vanza Society of South London
Jai Shree Krishna and Jai Gopal,
Congratulations to Shree Wanza
Community Leicester on successfully
celebrating the twentieth anniversary of
Leicester
Jyotika Bharkhada
Chairperson
The Vanza Society of South London
25
008
“
Charity Corner
The simplest
acts of kindness
are by far more
powerful than a
thousand heads
bowing in prayer.
”
― Mahatma
Gandhi
Jai Gopal
Navratri and Diwali are just around the corner,
which means it’s also time for our annual Food
Bank Collection. Over the past two years, we
have been organising a food bank over the
festive period and, as a community, we have
raised over £1,000 worth of food (over 600 kg).
This has all subsequently been donated within
the Leicestershire region to families who have
fallen on tough times. The support and response
from all gnati (community) members has been
overwhelming and your continued support is
appreciated.
Just to put things into perspective, last year,
43,181 people were provided with 3 days of
emergency food, with 37% of that number
being children. This is up by 7,00 people in
comparison to the previous year. Just let that
sink in... 16,000 children in the East Midlands
were below the poverty line.
It is clear that people are still finding it hard
to get basic necessities, and it’s even more
unfortunate that children are suffering also. It
is often the simplest things we take for granted,
Leicester
26
e.g. food on the table, and yet parents
are starving to ensure their children
eat. I am hoping we can build on our
previous years’ successes and gather
even more food this year to help
families in need in the East Midlands.
Vinoobhai Wadher & Subodhbhai
Thaker are organising a project
whereby used (but useable) stainless
steel utensils are being collected
and then subsequently shipped to
India for distribution in the Karnataka
district. The collection of these will run
alongside the Food Collection. So
please bring along any utensils you can
spare, along with generous offerings
of non-perishable food (e.g. that in tin
cans).
I am also looking to arrange a Wanza
team of 4 to run the Leicester Half
Marathon Relay and am looking for
runners. If this is something you would
like to be a part of then please let me
know.
Leicester Half Marathon Relay
2016 - Get in touch now.
If you would like to get in touch please
contact me on chirag_parmar87@
hotmail.com or 07527 786 772.
Thank you once again for your
contribution towards these worthy
causes.
Chirag Jayprakash Parmar
Treasurer & Vice President
Leicester
27
009
Navratri
Flashy outfits… 12-step raas… vibrant music…
spinning garba… disco dandia…
The words above are what we have come
to associate with Navratri nowadays. It’s an
exciting time of year, the start of the Hindu
festive season for many, not to mention a
chance to dress up and let your hair down.
...but when it comes to understanding what the
significance of Navratri is all about, a lot of us
become unstuck. At most, you may get a meek
“It’s the time when Ram fought Ravan”. You’ll
be lucky to get much more from most people.
Including you, I’m assuming.
It’s imperative for the preservation of Dharma
that we actually understand the significance
of what we do at Navratri, otherwise we’re just
party-seekers, not modern Hindus. So here’s a
quick breakdown of what it’s all about....
Significance of Navratri – Shakti
Leicester
The main significance of Navratri is about
Shakti, energy in the form of the Mother.
Energy is important because Brahman is the
all-pervading, omnipresent “God” that Hindus
28
believe in, but really this is simply energy (note that this fits perfectly
with science!) The incarnations of bhagwaan we all know are simply
manifestations of that energy in a form we can relate to.
Why Energy in the Form of the Mother?
Good question... It must be clear to us that all of the positive aspects of
Dharma can be encapsulated by the nature of a Mother (hence why each
day of Navratri worships a different form of Shakti). Here’s a breakdown of
the three main incarnations of Shakti (energy in the form of the Mother) that
Navratri highlights:
Days 1-3 – Durga – The Wrathful Form – The Mother needs to manifest herself
in such a wrathful form to remind us to destroy our impurities, vices, defects
and bad habits.
Days 4-6 – Lakshmi – The Spiritual Form – The Mother is the giver of spiritual
wealth and so manifests herself in this form to remind us to progress
ourselves spiritually in every way possible.
Days 7-9 – Saraswati – The Wise Form – The Mother is the prime source of
knowledge and so manifests herself in this form to ensure we continue to
strive for true knowledge of Dharma and then put it into practise.
All three of these aspects are needed in our lives to ensure that we can
achieve Dharmic all-round success in life.
And now you know the true significance of Navratri! Easy as that. So the
next time you do garba and raas, spend a little time in front of the deities
thinking about each of these three aspects and see how your Navratri
experience spectacularly improves.
Bhavin Davdra
Committee Member
Leicester
29
010
SWCL Donations List
Ways to donate
Post cheque to:
Shree Wanza
Community
31 Pasture Lane
Leicester
LE1 4EY
Bank Transfer
Barclays Bank
Sort Code
20-49-11
Account Number
70925462
Please quote your full
name and advise us.
Leicester
20th Anniversary Refurbishment and Loans
Repayment Scheme
Below is a list of donors who have either donated or
pledged during the 20th Anniversary Celebrations
and contributed towards projects and loan
repayment schemes.
A list with names of those who donated or pledged
before the 20th Anniversary Celebrations was
published in the last newsletter.
You can still donate towards the schemes. All
donations are greatly appreciated. The schemes
are as follows:
• £1,108 – Remembrance plaque in honour of a
departed family member(s)
• £301 or more – Name displayed on the donation
board
• £101 – Names will be published in the 20th
anniversary event souvenir booklet
30
Below is a list of donors who have either donated or pledged during the 20th
Anniversary Celebrations
Surname
Forename
Middlename Town
Pledged/Donated
Bhadracen
Rashik-Leicester£21.00
BhadresaHaridasVallabhdas
London£25.00
BhadresaNilaMansukhLeicester£125.00
BhadresaRashmi-Coventry£20.00
Bharakhada
Late Rambhaben
& Popatlal
Purshottam
London£1,108.00
Bharakhada
MansukhVithalLeicester£20.00
Bharakhada
MohanlalMakanLeicester£25.50
Bharakhada
RameshPopatlalLondon£20.00
BhundiaAmarSubhashLeicester£301.00
BhundiaDipakRameshLeicester£301.00
BhundiaJitendraJeramNottingham
£10.00
BhundiaKantiDevjiHarrow£301.00
BhundiaKaushikJeramLeicester£10.25
BhundiaMohanlalRaghavjiLondon£20.00
BhundiaNathalalKhimjiLeicester£30.00
Bhundia
Sailesh
Zaverilal
Enfield
£20.00
Borkhataria
KantilalHemrajLeicester£10.00
ChauhanLilaJayantHarrow£251.00
ChavdaLate Ranjit
MohanlalLeicester£51.00
Chudasama
AmeetVinuHarrow£10.00
GohelHarishkumar
RatanshiLeicester£31.00
GohilBhavenIshwerlalLeicester£301.00
GohilBhaveshChandrakant
Stratford£20.00
GohilDhirajlalRavilalLeicester£25.25
GohilJagdishMeghjiNottingham
£25.00
GohilJaswantiben
-Leicester£20.00
GohilJayantiLaljiCoventry£21.25
GohilKishoreRanchhod
Leicester£51.00
GohilMadhavjiDayaLeicester£10.00
GohilNavinRavilalLeicester£35.00
GohilPravinDevjiLeicester£20.00
GohilRajuGovindHampshire
£50.00
GohilSubashDevjiCoventry£25.00
GohilSureshKanjiLeicester£240.00
HarjaiSurinder
& MadhuLeicester£10.00
JadavArvindBhagwanji
London£51.00
JethwaHimatlalRavjiLeicester£10.00
JethwaJagjivanMuljiLeicester£25.25
Jethwa
Late Amratben &
JadavjiKanjiLeicester£1,108.00
JethwaLate Gordhan
GigaLeicester£31.50
JethwaLate Manilal
JadavjiLeicester£1,101.00
Jethwa
Late Ravji Kara Gokal
London
£51.00
JethwaLate Vinay
HimatlalLeicester£25.00
JethwaNileshHimatlalLondon£20.00
JethwaPankajJayantilalLeicester£10.00
JethwaPurshottam
MuljiLeicester£10.00
Leicester
31
Surname
Forename
Middlename Town
Pledged/Donated
JethwaRajHimatlalLondon£20.00
JethwaRamaJayantilalLeicester£25.00
MakwanaAshwinRanchhod
London£10.00
MakwanaAzadLaxmidasLeicester£10.00
MakwanaBabulalDevjiLeicester£101.00
MakwanaBhartibenKeshavjiLondon£51.00
MakwanaDayaben-Leicester£20.00
MakwanaJayshreeMuljiNorthwood
£51.00
MakwanaKaushikVithaldasSwinton£25.00
MakwanaPravinHarilalLondon£325.25
MakwanaRajendraDevjiLondon£20.00
MakwanaRanchhod
KanjiLeicester£20.00
MakwanaVithaldasRamjiIlford£151.00
MandalVanzaIlford£250.00
MandaliaDilipBhagwanji
London£20.00
MandaliaDineshKarsanLeicester£20.00
MandaliaHarishDevjiPinner£25.00
MandaliaJeramMohanlalLeicester£20.00
MandaliaLaljiAmarshiLeicester£5.00
Mandalia
Late Jethiben &
DevjiPunjaLeicester£1,108.00
Mandalia
Late Lalji Tapu
Bhimji
Leicester
£51.00
Mandalia
Mirren
Ramniklal
Wellingborough£301.00
MandaliaNileshGirdharRickmansworth
£20.00
MandaliaRajeshDevjiLeicester£10.00
Mandalia
Late Savitaben &
ArjanDevjiLeicester£1,108.00
Mandalia &
BrothersTapu Govind Kara
Coventry£25.00
MandaliaTusharHarjivanLeicester£20.00
MandaliaUmeshShantilalLeicester£301.00
MandaliaVijyabenSavjiWellingborough
£30.00
Mandalia &
BrothersRamnikMohanlalHarrow£25.00
Mandaliya
PankajPrabhudas
Leicester£50.00
MistryDipen-Leicester£11.00
NandhaAshwinJeramLeicester£10.00
NandhaBacubhaiBhovanLondon£100.00
NandhaBhagwanji
NaranLondon£20.00
NandhaHarishDevjiLeicester£10.00
Nandha
Late Kiran,
Devkuvarben &
DevjiDudaLeicester£1,108.00
NandhaKishanBhagwanji
London£10.00
NandhaKishorBhovan Kara
London£30.00
Nandha
Late Dayaben &
Ghelabhai
MadhavjiLeicester£1,108.00
NandhaSharmilaKiranLeicester£301.00
NandhaVijayDayalalLeicester£25.00
PadhiyarChandrakant
PopatlalLeicester£11.00
Leicester
32
Surname
Forename
Middlename Town
Pledged/Donated
ParmarAmritlalVirjiLeicester£101.00
ParmarBabulalNathalalWembley£101.00
ParmarBhartiben-Leicester£50.00
ParmarChandrakant
LaljiLeicester£51.00
ParmarDevjiVirjiLeicester£20.00
ParmarDineshPopatlalLeicester£10.00
ParmarHiteshVithalLeicester£10.00
ParmarJamnadas
KanjiLeicester£51.25
ParmarJamnadas
ValjiRomford£50.00
ParmarJayantilalVithalLeicester£11.00
ParmarJayprakash
MuljibhaiLeicester£21.00
ParmarJentilalLaljiLeicester£111.00
ParmarKantilalNathalalLondon£25.00
ParmarKasturbenDayaljiLeicester£351.75
ParmarKhimjiKurjiLondon£20.00
ParmarKhimjiVirjiLeicester£25.00
ParmarLakhmanVirjiLeicester£20.00
ParmarMahendra
Dharamshi
Leicester£25.00
ParmarMaheshRughnathLeicester£10.00
ParmarMiteshVinod Leicester£301.00
ParmarPragjiMuljiLeicester£11.00
ParmarPrashantVinodRugby£301.00
ParmarPurshottam
SavjiLeicester£20.00
ParmarRajenJayantilalLeicester£20.00
ParmarRameshNathuLeicester£20.00
ParmarShantaben
ShantilalLeicester£301.00
ParmarShantilalLiladharLeicester£301.00
ParmarShashikant
MorarjiLeicester£10.00
ParmarVasantNathuLeicester£10.00
ParmarVashramLaxmanMelton Keynes
£20.00
ParmarVinodVithalLeicester£20.00
PatelMitulPrafulLondon£10.00
PithiaSurendraTrikamlalNorthants£10.25
RamjiJyotsna-Leicester£100.00
SamajWanza-Harrow£501.00
ShikotraElaMukeshLeicester£301.00
ShikotraHarishMadhavjiLeicester£30.00
ShikotraJagdishMadhavjiManchester
£20.00
ShikotraMayurGovindLeicester£301.00
ShikotraNarendraKeshavjiLeicester£25.00
ShikotraPragnaPrabhudas
Wigan£301.00
ShikotraSuryakantMadhavjiLeicester£25.00
SikotraGopaljiNathaLeicester£25.00
SikotraHimatlalKaraLeicester£25.00
SikotraLate Narshi
KaraLeicester£1,108.00
Society of LondonVanza
Wembley
£501.00
SolankiDineshOdhavjiLeicester£101.00
SolankiJaysukhDevshiLeicester£21.25
SolankiKapilabenMansukhlal
Leicester£10.00
Leicester
33
Surname
Forename
Middlename Town
Pledged/Donated
SolankiKishorDevjiLondon£25.25
SolankiSanjayKeshavjiLeicester£10.00
SolankiSureshMadhavjiLeicester£25.00
SolankiVarshaChandulal
Leicester£11.00
SolankiVijyaben-Leicester£10.00
SonigraMadhurMeghjiHarrow£301.00
SonigraManharVisramLeicester£21.00
SonigraMathurMeghjiHarrow£40.00
SonigraRanjitBachubhai
Leicester£25.00
SonigraSavitabenHansrajLeicester£101.00
Sonigra & Family Chanduben
Karsan London
£101.25
South London Vanza Community
London
£101.00
SupedaNaranMuljiLeicester£10.00
SupedaNareshMuljiLeicester£20.00
TankGhanshyam
VeljiGreenford
£25.00
TankKamlaben
Navinchandra
Leicester£11.00
TankSubhashTribhuvanLondon£25.00
VadherKantilalDayaljiLondon£10.00
VaghelaAmitSunilLeicester£101.00
VaghelaDilipLakhmanLondon£25.00
VaghelaLalitabenVasanjiLeicester£301.00
Vaghela
Late Bhanuben &
Ramji HirjiJamnagar
£1,108.00
VaghelaPravinAmarshiWellingborough
£10.00
VaghelaSureshRatanshiLeicester£25.00
Valambhia
Sejal-London£10.00
Visavadia
Satish, Lalji & Kirit Nanji Govind
Leicester
£4,001.00
WadhiaJayantilalRanchhod
Leicester£10.00
Wadhia
Late Santaben &
Thakershi
NaranSandhurst£1,108.00
Wanza Mandal SupportIlford£21.00
These donations are recorded according to the receipts issued which includes
donating on behalf of other names.
If you feel that it is incorrect or there is a discrepancy, please let us know for
rectification.
Leicester
34
Leicester
35
Leicester
36
DATES FOR
YOUR DIARY
UPCOMING
WANZA
LEICESTER
EVENTS
OCTOB
ER
Sat 25
th
Havan
*
Sta
rt: 9 a
Bidu: 4 m
pm
BER
M
NOVE
st
on
Sun 1
petiti
m
o
C
i
l
Rango 9.30 am
:
Arrive am
10
Start:
2th
Thu 1 in Mandir)
(
Ankot 6pm
:
Arrive pm
:7
Milan
m
ns: 8p
Bhaja
nt
9th
Sun 2 Diwali Eve
r
e
u
o
Uniqu eye out on d
n
n
Keep a Facebook a
,
e
ting
t
i
websi ails for exc
m
e
your
es!
updat
DECEM
BER
*Anyone c
an
participate
to be a
yajmaan fo
r Havan fo
r
£201
To keep up
to date
with Wan
za Leicest
er
events, sig
n up to ou
r
mailing li
st at
www.wan
za.org
Leicester
Sun 27
th
Christm
as Part
y
Start: 1
pm
FEB
R
6
201
Y
R
UA
a
lis
8th an Cha
2
n
um
Su
Han
108
37
Navratri 2015 Dates
DATESEVENTDRESS CODE
Tuesday 13th October
Red
Wednesday 14th OctoberBlue
Thursday 15th OctoberSilk
Friday 16th October
Best Dressed Competition
(Male & Female)
Best Raas / Garba Player
(Male & Female)Chanya Choli
Saturday 17th October
Fancy Dress Competition
Bandhni
Sunday 18th October
Aarti Competition
Sammuh Aarti
(£5.25 per Aarti) Bhareli
Monday 19th OctoberGreen
Tuesday 20th OctoberGharchoru
Wednesday 21st October
Own choice
Weekdays:
Friday & Saturday:
7pm – 11pm
7pm – late
Milk Donations
Monday to Thursday
Friday, Saturday & Sunday:
£51.00
£75.00
To make a donation and to pay for your annual membership, please
contact
information
desk during Navratri.
Shree Wanza
Community Leicester
38
Leicester
39
Leicester
40