Save the dates – join the IAAC Freedom Concert
About: Kanwal
Recent Posts by Kanwal
In conversation with Dr Manisha Juthani – nominated as Public Health Commissioner of Connecticut
Dr. Manisha Juthani, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine and Epidemiology, Yale School of Medicine has been nominated as Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Public Health in the US. A proud moment for all of us!!
Dr. Manisha pursued her undergraduate training from the University of Pennsylvania and attended Cornell University Medical College. She completed her residency training from New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Campus. She was a chief resident at Memorial-Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
It was in 2002 that Dr. Manisha arrived at the Yale School of Medicine in for infectious diseases fellowship training and in 2006, she joined the faculty full-time. In 2012, she took on the role of infectious diseases fellowship program director .
She loves to dance and sing and has a few more hobbies. She takes us through her new role, to Covid and other health issues, then back to college days, India and so much more – You will love the conversation and love knowing Dr. Manisha Juthani, the person as she prepares herself for her new role – Incase you missed it yesterday, catch the conversation for sure, today, 8th August, on our Hindi Radio Show, Chat and Chai, MeraSangeet Gold at 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM , 7:00 PM , 9:00 PM and 11:00 PM – EST.
In conversation with Lata Rao, Secretary, India Association of Greater Boston
Lata Rao is the Secretary of IAGB. The current term Is her fourth, on the IAGB Executive Team. While she lends her helping hand In every activity organized By IAGB, she takes lead on the two Mega Annual Cultural Events – The Republic Day and the India Day Celebrations.
Lata is a long time community leader in the New England region. She has also been a fierce advocate against Domestic Violence and has actively worked as a Volunteer with SAHELI for more than 15 years. She now advocates for this cause independently.
She has been an Entrepreneur for over 25 Years. In her own words, she says, ” I am an entrepreneur of sorts and deal in designer clothes”. She was also a flight attendant with Air India, way back in the 80s.
So, today, Lata tells us about her role with IAGB, about the venue of the India Day Event, about the various cultural activities, the dance band, as well as the food stalls. She also talks about the joy of flying, of her job which she feels was just tailor made for her, of staying in beautiful locations around the globe, and much more.
So yes, this conversation is a must listen one – catch it for sure, this Thursday, 5th August, on our Hindi Radio Show, Chat and Chai, MeraSangeet Gold at 7:00 AM , 11:00 AM , 1:00 PM , 3:00 PM , 5:00 PM , 7:00 PM , 9:00 PM and 11:00 PM – EST.
In conversation with the Director of IAGB, Sanjay Kudrimoti
This is Sanjay Kudrimoti’s 4th year with India Association of Greater Boston as the Director. His primary role in IAGB has been that as the Editor of its monthly newsletter and in the area of Civic Engagement.
In his professional life, he is a Professor and teaches Finance at the Salem State University. He wears many hats. In his words, “I also moonlight as a professional photographer and I own my company – Fotu Duniya. In my free time I love to spend time reading and watching Bollywood movies”.
The conversation with Sanjay ji revolves around the India Day celebrations. He talks about the Flag Hoisting Ceremony, accompanied with the cultural events and the musical event – and the effort it takes to put the day together.
To know how you could join-in, what all is there to look forward to and much more, do tune-in for sure, this Saturday, 31st July, on our Hindi Radio Show, Chat and Chai, MeraSangeet Gold at 7:00 AM , 11:00 AM , 1:00 PM , 3:00 PM , 5:00 PM , 7:00 PM , 9:00 PM and 11:00 PM – EST.
You can also visit https://www.iagb.org/
IAAC Freedom Concert 2021 – save the dates
Guitar Prasanna -An engineering graduate from Indian Institute of Technology, a composer for award winning films, an internationally acclaimed guitarist in contemporary Jazz, Rock and Blues, a Magna-Cum-Laude graduate of Berklee College of music. Dr. Radhika Chopra – Started learning music at a very young age from Pt. J.R.Sharma and started performing on stage and for All India Radio, Jammu. Dr. Aruna Sharma – Started learning classical music under the guidance of Ustad (Maestro) Jamal Khan, a Royal Musician from the court of Baroda.
Amaan Ali Bangash – The eldest son and disciple of the Sarod Maestro Amjad Ali Khan and grandson of Haafiz Ali Khan. He is considered to be one of the finest Sarod players in the world. Ayaan Ali Bangash – The younger son and disciple of the Sarod Maestro Amjad Ali Khan, Ayaan gave his solo debut when he was eight years old and has been performing concerts .
Bala Skandan – Initiated into the Carnatic percussion art of Mridangam, and the violin at age six, Bala Skandan is a classical Indian music polymath. Jay Gandhi – Identified as an outstanding disciple of the world renowned bansuri maestro, Padmavibhushan Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia, Jay Gandhi initially trained in vocal music under Smt. Kum Kum Sanyal, and later bansuri under Pt. Ronu Majumdar, Pt. Vijay Raghav Rao and Pt. Raghunath Seth. Amali Premawardhana – Is the Cello Teacher at Primoris Academy and a graduate of the Manhattan School of Music. Max ZT – Lauded as the “Jimi Hendrix of Hammered Dulcimer” by NPR, and a “Force of nature” by New York Music Daily, Max ZT is an innovator of the hammered dulcimer. Shivalik Ghoshal – Currently, he is a part/member of the Raga Renaissance movement in Brooklyn as part of Brooklyn Raga Massive (BRM) community that is dedicated to promoting Indian Classical/Raga based music throughout the NY area.
For more on the wonderful artists, please do visit https://iaac.us/
In conversation with Renu Tewarie, Co- Executive Director, Saheli, Boston
Renu Tewarie is currently involved in many different projects and ventures dedicated to community service and development. She serves as the Co Executive director at Saheli, a non-profit Domestic Violence Organization that she has been a part of for 12 years. Through her work at Saheli, she has helped over 100+ women and men battling domestic abuse with crisis management, shelter, financial aid, employment and a full return to normalcy.
Apart from her work at Saheli, Renu also works as an instructor with Bay State community services, a Massachusetts state sponsored initiative that helps individuals rehabilitate from domestic violence based convictions. Through this program, she provides an opportunity for abusers to change their violent behavior and teaches them skills to facilitate non-violent and non-abusive behavioral responses with their partners.
For over 11 years now, Renu has also been serving as one of the Principals of Shishu Bharati, a non-profit academic institution with over 850 students dedicated to teaching Indian languages and history. During her time in Shishu Bharati, she has managed to strengthen the school’s language program by revamping the curriculum to include contemporary teaching methods and mediums. In doing so, she has drawn on her vast experience as an educator – having served as Professor of Hindi for many years at Brandeis and Middlesex Community College, she is deeply dedicated to keeping Indian languages alive.
Do listen in to the conversation – we talk about Domestic Violence, Sexual abuse, Mental Trauma and how Saheli helps – today, Tuesday, 27 July, on our Hindi Radio Show, Chat and Chai, MeraSangeet Gold at 7:00 AM , 11:00 AM , 1:00 PM , 3:00 PM , 5:00 PM , 7:00 PM , 9:00 PM and 11:00 PM – EST.
In conversation with Jeyanthi Ghatraju, Executive Director at IAGB
A Plant Geneticist by training and a Principal QA Specialist by profession, Jeyanthi Ghatraju is also the Executive Director at IAGB. She is also the Co-Chair of the Council of Ambassadors for Vision-Aid. The first President of KHMC (Karnatic Hindustani Music Circle), she currently serves as its Treasurer. She was recognized with the US Presidential Service Gold Award with a commendation from President Obama and President Trump in 2013 and 2019 respectively.
Jeyanthi is a Bharatanatyam dancer, choreographer and teacher from Westford, MA, with a mission to perform for charity. Along with her students, she has performed regularly at several nursing homes and senior centers in New England and Canada. She has conducted 18 student arangetrams (debut) so far and more than 30 students have graduated with the Certificate in Performing Arts, that she offers through her affiliation with Alagappa Performing Arts Academy (Alagappa University, Karaikudi, India). Her outreach assignments include special projects on Indian dance and Bharatanatyam for Rotary International, museums, libraries and churches in New England and Canada. She was recognized by the House of Representatives and the State Senate for 25 years of service through dance in 2019.
Jeyanthi has choreographed several dance productions over the years and enjoys working on collaborative projects with artists from India and the New England dancers. She was a MA cultural council grantee in 2019 and 2020.
Do listen in to this conversation with Jeyanthi , about the IAGB India Day Event – this Saturday, 24th July , on our Hindi Radio Show, Chat and Chai, MeraSangeet Gold at 7:00 AM , 11:00 AM , 1:00 PM , 3:00 PM , 5:00 PM , 7:00 PM , 9:00 PM and 11:00 PM – EST.
ZEE5 launches in the U.S., ushers in a new era of South Asian Entertainment
ZEE5’s launch announcement was made by Archana Anand, Chief Business Officer, ZEE5 Global, at a mega event attended by media and consumers from the U.S. and across the globe. She was joined by a special guest for the event, Actor, Producer, Activist and Entrepreneur Priyanka Chopra Jonas.
Priyanka Chopra Jonas also joined Archana in unveiling ZEE5’s upcoming content slate and its new global brand campaign “Welcome to South Asia: Stories from our world.” The campaign spotlights stories from South Asia, where even ordinary stories are extraordinary, therefore leading to the narrative “if this is our reality, imagine our stories.”
Congratulating ZEE5, Priyanka Chopra Jonas said, “Wishing all the best to my friends at ZEE5 on their new launch. I have really enjoyed celebrating and spotlighting all the incredible talent from South Asia today. I look forward to watching these storytellers entertain new audiences around the world and will be cheering them on from the side lines.”
Zee5 – coming soon – to the United States of America
New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFF)
New York Indian Film Festival – save the dates
NYIFF is the oldest, most prestigious film festival screening premieres of feature, documentary and short films made from, of, and about India in the independent, arthouse, alternate and diaspora genres.
Seven days of screenings, post-screening discussions, industry panels, award ceremonies, special events, nightly networking parties, red carpet galas, media attention and packed audiences build an awareness of Indian cinema, entertain and educate North Americans about the real India, and add to the amazing cultural diversity of New York City.
For more information, please visit the website at nyiff.us and at nyiff.moviesaints.com. And yes, do save the dates!
‘Indian Visa Camp 2021’, held on Saturday, May 8th in Milford, MA
An ‘Indian Visa Camp 2021’ was held on Saturday, May 8th in Milford, MA, in partnership with several community members and organizations in the New England area.
It was a great effort to bring the Indian Consulate to the doorsteps of people
MeraSangeet.com supported the initiative as the Media partner for the event.