NEW YORK (TIP):  BRUHUD New York Seniors, one of the largest senior organizations in the Tristate area of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, celebrated its 16th Annual Deepawali Gala with great enthusiasm. The event, held at the Ganesh Temple Auditorium, witnessed an impressive turnout of over 700 attendees.

BRUHUD, a nonprofit organization based in New York, is dedicated to addressing issues relevant to its senior population, such as health and community engagement. Dr. Rekha Bhandari, a triple-board-certified expert in Internal Medicine, Geriatrics, and Palliative Care, in her message on the occasion highlighted  a critical challenge faced by Indian seniors: loneliness. She noted, “The biggest epidemic among seniors is loneliness. Their problems are unique due to language and racial issues.”

The evening’s Chief Guest, Prem Bhandari, Chairman of Jaipur Foot USA and a prominent advocate for the Indian diaspora, made a significant announcement that  two Jaipur Foot camps will be held in Gujarat in January 2025. The camps, to be held at Mahudi Jain Teerth near Ahmedabad and Dang for the tribal community, are sponsored by BRUHUD President Ajay Patel in memory of his late father, Shashikant Bhai Patel, who founded BRUHUD in 2009.

Bhandari shared updates from Jaipur Foot Founder Padma Bhushan D.R. Mehta, announcing that a Jaipur Foot camp at the Somnath Temple in Gujarat has already benefited 300 differently-abled individuals. By November 23, 2024, another 300 people are expected to be fitted with prosthetics. He praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts in supporting the Jaipur Foot movement and noted that under the “India for Humanity” campaign, Jaipur Foot USA’s parent organization, BMVSS, has conducted 30 international camps sponsored by the Ministry of External Affairs, with the 31st camp currently underway in Madagascar. He also revealed plans for the first-ever permanent Jaipur Foot center in Malawi.

Honoring the Diaspora’s Champions

BRUHUD President Ajay Patel welcomed attendees and recognized individuals for their exceptional contributions

• Dr. Varun Jeph, Deputy Consul General of India in New York, was honored with a plaque for his distinguished service to the diaspora. The award, presented by the Chief Guest Prem Bhandari,   was accepted by Pragya Singh, Consul (Community Affairs).

  

• Mohan Nannapaneni, Founder of Team Aid, was lauded for his service, particularly in facilitating the repatriation of mortal remains from the U.S. to India.

  

• Girish Salian, Air India’s US Head, was honored for his exemplary service during the COVID-19 crisis.

The event also celebrated the efforts of past Consulate Generals of India in New York

• Gyaneshwar Muley for initiating the “Consulate at Your Doorstep” program.
• Sandeep Chakravorty for his remarkable work during the pandemic.
• Randhir Jaiswal for achieving “zero pendency” at the New York Consulate.

In his speech, Prem Bhandari emphasized the importance of unity among Indian organizations, stating, “We may have different organizations promoting state-wise culture and heritage, but when it comes to unity, we must stand together as one.”

Speaking on the occasion, BUHURD President Ajay Patel said that in view of the observations made by Dr. Rekha Bhandari, BUHURD will organize periodically health seminars with a view to educating the members on health issues and the health care that they should take care of themselves. He appreciated the medical fraternity for their cooperation with BRUHUD.

The evening was a blend of cultural celebration and community spirit, with dignitaries like Ashok Sancheti, Advisor, Jaipur Foot USA; Harish Thakkar, Treasurer, Jaipur Foot USA; and Ravi Jargarh, Secretary, Rajasthan Association of North America (RANA), in attendance.

The gala concluded with Bollywood music performances, making it a night to remember for the Indian diaspora.