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Hello Ashish,
With the year coming to a close, it is an opportune time to review what we have accomplished as an organization serving the MetroWest community. Looking back, ISW has truly blossomed this year leveraging our new facilities to host over 70 events that have attracted new members and renewed connections with some from the past. ISW membership has hit an all time high of over 1000 members and we have close to 5000 subscribers on our eSandesh mailing list. ISW's vibrant community work was recognized by the New England Choice Awards with the Community Organization award. We are thrilled to share this year's activities in this year-end review issue of eSandesh.
We are truly grateful to the work the hundreds of ISW volunteers and our Executive Board put in all year to bring this incredible range of offerings from the arts, sports, language classes to instructive panels and youth programs. Without your dedication and commitment, ISW would not be the place it is today - an extended family and a home away from home.
Let me also take a moment to wish you and your family a very Happy Holiday Season and all the best in the New Year.
Puneet Kohli,
President, India Society of Worcester
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ISW Language & Cultural School | |
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ISW Cultural and Language School
ISW teacher Bindiya Jain led the school kids in a fun craft project making Christmas decorations. The kids were so involved and enjoyed it with the help of our student teachers, teachers and parents who setup and cleaned up. Thanks to our student teachers Tanvi, Kunal ,and Prachet and our teachers- Bindiya, Mrunal, Sonia, Smita, Vandana, and Nidhi and our wonderful parents for making this possible.
ISW School will be closed December 23rd, 24th, 30th and 31st.
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ISW Humrahee Monthly Meeting
Please note December 23rd Humrahee meeting is cancelled due to holidays.
ISW Annual General Body Meeting 2024
January 28, 2:00 - 5:00 pm
ISW India Center
You have to be dues paying member of ISW as of Dec 2nd, 2023, to vote at the meeting. the ISW Executive Board and supporting sub-committees will present their annual reports. Please register here.
ISW Symphony & ISW U: Voice Ensemble Singing for fun
January 12, 6:30 - 7:30 pm
ISW India Center
ISW vocal group, no auditions, Hindi based, no Karaoke Sessions on Fridays approx. every two weeks. Read More & Register>>
ISW WEW - Celebrating 3 years of Women Empowering Women
January 13, 3:00 - 6:00 pm
ISW India Center
Celebrate ISW Women Empowering Women with keynote speaker, Anu Chitrapu, Sr. VP, Bank of America, founder Nyrvaana, Past President, TiE Boston. Click here to register.
IYG & ISWU Engineering Passion Project: Create 3D Marble Run Models
Four Sessions starting Jan 20 1:30 - 3:00 pm
ISW India Center
Work together to create interesting 3D marble run projects. Emphasizes STEM, Teamwork and communication skills. Open to 7th and 8th graders. Cost $35 per child, includes the cost of purchasing puzzles. Click here to register.
2023 President's Volunteer Service Award
ISW would like to recognize the amazing volunteers who contribute to India Society of Worcester. To help us do so, please update the hours you volunteer on this form. The 2022 PVSA awardees are listed in this newsletter.
ISW Weekly Bridge Night
Wednesdays at 7:00 pm, ISW India Center
Members with all skill levels are invited to join. Wednesdays are for folks with some bridge experience.
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ISW University Spiritual Anatomy with Heartfulness workshop
A full house participated in a workshop led by Devesh Srivastav, Sreedhar Shanmugavelu, Sister Olga and Sister Elanor that provided a framework for wellness and health through "Heartfulness'. The session opened with yoga and ended with the group immersed in mediation.
Dhol Tasha Workshop
ISW Symphony held another successful Dhol-Tasha-Lezim Workshop on Friday. Attendees included long-time ISW supporters, ISW school parents and new members from age 5 to seniors and from different parts of India. Truly bringing the community together! More on ISW website.
IYG- Youth Empowering Youth: A Roadmap to Land the Right College
The panel included five students at various stages in their collegiate career. Aryan Kale, Junior, Northeastern university, Anika Nath, Freshman, MIT, Swara Gurav, Freshman, Suffolk University, Dhriti Aiylam, Northeastern University and Arnav Mankad, Boston University shared their insights into the college application process. Read more >>
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ISW 2023 A Year in Review | | |
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ISW offers a range of opportunities to learn. From youth to adults you can find your niche from seven Indian languages, Yoga, 3-D printing, Chess, Robotics, College prep, individualized Tutoring, Dhol Drumming, to Bollyzumba. | | |
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ISW School added Kannada and Sanskrit classes while students participated in a variety of activities from yoga to Holi, Diwali, killa making and Xmas activities. A bonus was a visit by noted violinist Vijay Gupta.
ISW Symphony forged partnerships with Learnquest, Shadaj and Kalashri to bring classical Indian music and plays to the ISW Stage in addition to events like the Art Festival and Kavi Sammelan.
ISW University provides you with a range of classes from 3D printing to vocal ensembles, from college prep to meditation. There is always something you can do at ISW!
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The new ISW facilities provide ample opportunities for ISW members to enjoy games both indoor and out. Join the ISW Sports WhatsApp group to find out. | | |
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ISW Sports continues to grow with nearly 300 members in its WhatsApp group. Pickleball, table tennis and the monthly Family Games night remain popular as ever. A new Bridge Club now meets weekly and offered lessons for beginners. During the warmer months the new Outdoor Club organized several weekend family hikes. There is something for everyone young and old. | | |
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ISW Is for...
Celebrating
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From the annual India Day celebrations to Diwali and many other religious festivals, you will find opportunities to celebrate with ISW year round. | |
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From mesmerizing Antakshari quizzes to India Day and Diwali celebrations, there are numerous ways to be entertained at ISW. Once again ISW helped run the annual Shrewsbury's Got Talent competition and for the fifth time won the First Prize for its float in the Spirit of Shrewsbury parade. In addition, throughout the year, ISW celebrates the religious traditions and festivals of the diverse parts of India, from Janmashtami, to Holi, Karwa Chauth to Christmas, there is something for everyone.
With Zumba, Karaoke, poems and dance, the ever young at heart Humrahee group enjoys its monthly meetings on the fourth Saturday. The grand finale was the Musical Night gala that had everyone dancing on the floor.
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ISW Celebrates the newest President's Volunteer Service Awardees.
The President's Volunteer Service Lifetime Achievement Award goes to Dr. Sahdev Passey for his service to ISW and Free Health Stop, Carolyn Passey for founding ISW School and the hours since volunteering at ISW, and to the ISW Building Expansion Committee consisting of Rajiv Dayal, Ashish Cowlagi and Puneet Kohli. Other awardees include:
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Pradnya Cowlagi, Gold Awardee, Teen
Aadi Dixit, Gold Awardee, Teen
Arush Jagan, Gold Awardee, Teen
Dhruv Jagan, Gold Awardee, Teen
Aditi Jayendran, Gold Awardee, Teen
Mahati Jayendran, Gold Awardee, Teen
Tanushree Nekenti, Gold Awardee, Teen
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Ayan Mishra, Bronze Awardee, Teen
Maurya Virmani, Gold awardee, Young Adults
Anand Chintapalli, Silver Awardee, Young Adults
Prachet Mahawar, Bronze Awardee, Young Adults
Priya Vaidya, Bronze Awardee, Adult
Geetanjali Virmani, Silver Awardee, Adult
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From building the next generation of youth leaders, to supporting your aspirations and dreams, ISW is there with programs to help you grow personally. | | |
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ISW Women Empowering Women (WEW) packed the hall celebrating women's accomplishments with several events and panels. ISW Professional and Entrepreneurial Network (ISW PEN) held the first Asian Business Pitch contest in MetroWest and organized panels on a range of professional interests. The IYG group elected a new board and ended the year with a well attended session on college preparation led by recent graduates. | | | |
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ISW is open to all for free regardless of immigration, insurance and financial means for health issues and crisis support. | | |
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ISW's Free Health Stop has attended to almost 500 patients in 2023. It is open Wednesday evenings 6:00 to 8:00.
The Crisis Committee helps with personal, domestic, and bereavement issues with a trained volunteer team.
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ISW partners with a range of organizations to help build relations and spread Indian culture. | |
ISW continues to build bridges with the community. From performing in Worcester, Northboro, and Westboro, to hosting Shrewsbury's Got Talent and Diwali at the Worcester Art Museum, ISW volunteers spread the word and shared our culture. New partnerships with Learnquest, Shadaj, and Kalashri brought plays and music to the ISW audience. | |
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ISW Is for...
Belonging
to an extended family & home away from home
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