Hari Om Mandir annual fund raiser dinner for senior privilege
Chicago IL: Devotees of the Hari Om Mandir (HOM), Medinah, IL gathered at the Meadows Club, to raise Funds for the upcoming Projects for the Growth & Development of their very own Temple. Along with a Lavish Dinner and a Rocking Entertainment Program, the gathering enjoyed a wonderful Evening of meeting and greeting old time friends & family. It was like a Family Reunion for the Hari Om Parivar to get together for a noble cause.
The Evening opened up with the Diya Lighting Ceremony…performed by some Distinguished Members of the Community…Executives of FIA, Chairperson MAFS, President Executive Board of HOM, Chairman Board of Trustees HOM, the Guardian of HOM and the Chief Sponsor Suga Builders. The Chairman of the Fund Raising Committee, Anil Saxena, welcomed everybody and highlighted the purpose of raising funds. The Temple plans to have an Elevator installed for the convenience of all the Senior Members of the Society that would operate on two levels...from the Ground Level to the 1st Floor Congregation Hall, and also down to the Basement. Mr. Sat Pal Salwan, Chairman, Board of Trustees (BOT) urged everybody to donate generously and help the Mandir accomplish their goals.
Musical Gala was planned by Shri Rohit Parekh of Malhar Orchestra. Rohit Parekh and his co-singer for the evening - Chicago's very own Nipa Shah built the mood of the audience from the very first song. Asif Hafeez on keyboard, Puranlal Vyas on Tabla and Sampat Doma on Drums were commendable. The team kept audience clapping, tapping feet and dancing non-stop on their melodious tunes. Songs were selected from every genre and every decade from various legendary singers of Bollywood. Rohit Parekh won accolade of audience by singing evergreen numbers. Nipa Shah won hearts of the audience by her mellifluous voice and her non- traditional choices of songs which kept audience surprising time to time. The duo balanced and complimented each other with their songs very well throughout the night. Asif Hafeez also supported the singers with his very unique voice.
Rohit Parekh and Nepa Shah - two well-known singers of the Chicagoland area regaled the audiences with their soulful singing. Popular old songs from Hindi movies of the Golden Era were a great hit and the crowds enjoyed it all...As the Emcees of the Evening, Mona Sharma & Sangeeta Wadhera invited people to come on the Dance Floor, there was no looking back! People revived old memories and had a gala time! In no time, the Dance Floor was full of Young & Old Couples alike, singing and dancing with joy, tapping their feet to some all-time favorite peppy numbers!!!
As per a tradition of the HOM, on this occasion, the Management Honors some Devotees of the Temple for their Exemplary Services to the Community. This year, the BOT Chairman, Satpal Salwan, awarded a Plaque to Ajay Ghai for his unconditional Service to the Temple on Sundays and Special Events, by playing the Dholak with all the Artists who sing Bhajans etc. in the Temple. The second person to be awarded & acknowledged for her Services was Sangeeta Wadhera, who is always behind the scenes to make sure that all the Events are organized smoothly.
Everybody relished the sumptuous Dinner and appreciated the wonderful Program organized by the Temple Management. In the end, the President, Vipan Wadhera, thanked everybody for their continuous Support & Dedication.