IACRF Seniors Celebrates Indian Teachers’ Day and Continues to Fight Plastic Pollution
Fight Against Plastic Pollution
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced fight against plastic,particularly single use plastics like bottles, grocery bags, straws etc. Prime minister Modi is going to announce on 2nd Octobera major action point for plastic pollution prevention. In India daily plastic waste runs up to 62000 tons every day that is equivalent to 6200 Rafale jet plane weight every day. Single plastic water bottle that we throw away in trash takes 450 years to decompose in the nature and adds to tremendous pollution and it is up to us to be conscious and act against plastic pollution. We all hope we will stop using plastic bottle and tumblersin our meeting as the first beginning as emphasized repeatedly by Lalitbhai Patel. IACRF Seniors have already passed a resolution to fight against plastic and not use plastic bottles and plastic tumblersin the hall.
India Teacher’s Day Celebration
September 5th is celebrated in India. All teachers from the seniors were called upon the stage and recognized for doing an excellent job in the community. Prakash Kotecha discussed the origin of the Teachers day and how it differs from India to USA celebration. Second President and first Vice president of India, Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan when became President in 1962, members suggested to celebrate his birthday and he politely suggested that he would prefer his birthday celebration be celebrated as Teachers’ Day rather than his birthday. He was a teacher all his life at the University and was Vice Chancellor ofBanaras Hindu University prior to becoming Vice President. Since 1962, September 5 has been celebrated as Teachers’ Day in India. Mrs. Madhu Joshi shared a beautiful poem on teachers’ day.
Educational Program and Yoga Programat Ekta Mandir
Prakash Deshmukh announced the education program that is started at the temple. All are welcome to attend and learn different languages such as Gujarati, Marathi, Hindi as well as Sanskrit. Registration is required and the Registration fee is $20 per month. Kanubhai Patel pointed out that program is at 11 am on every Saturday and the arrangement is done with the Yoga teacher to conduct yoga classes at the same time so parents can take advantage of the Yoga class while their kids are attending language classes.
Meenaand Dr. Raman Bhavsar recited a poem on 9/11 which was composed by Dr. Raman Bhavsar. Poem was very appropriate for the occasion.
Revised Age Criteria by World Health Organization
Lalitbhai read out the revised criteria and age that World Health Organization has defined as under:
0-17 years old: underage
18-65 years old: youth/young people
66-79 years old: middle-aged
80-99 years old: elderly/senior
100+ years old: long-lived elderly
Members applauded and felt younger with these newer criteria.
Guest Speakers:
Lalitbhai requested Shyam Byra to introduce Shri Bajarang Lal ji, President of Ekal Vidyalay. Shri Bajarang Lal Ji spoke about non-profit Ekal Vidyalay organization which focuses on primary educational as well as other needs of remote villages in India. Organization has reached about 100,000 villages and the goal is to reach other 300,000 villages.
Lunch Sponsors for the Month
Lunch sponsor for the month were Usha &Suraj Gautam, Doris & Ramu Ramakesavan, Ram Saksena, Manhar & Manjuben Khatri,Shantiben & Lalitbhai Patel and Vasantiben &Govindbhai Patel
Photo courtesy:Pradyumna Kshatriya,Lalitbhai Patel
Senior Group meets every Monday and Thursday, 10:00AM to 3:00PM at the Indo-American Community Centerlocated at 2809 W. Maryland Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85017. For information please contact Prakash Kotecha at pvkotecha@gmail.com
By Dr. Prakash V Kotecha & Sr. Bhagubhai Patel
pvkotecha@gmail.com; bdjbtempe@gmail.com