saotaU Samvat 2066 / May 2010

GUJARATI SAMAJ OF METROPOLITAN WASHINGTON 10410 BroadField Court, Potomac, MD 20854

: (301) 762-6365 Website: http://www.dcsamaj.com/ Email: president@dcsamaj.com

President

Nipa Parikh (301) 762-6365

Vice President Urmi Shah (703) 968-2590

Secretary Jignesh Shah (301) 528-7975

Treasurer Bharati Joshi (301) 947-0930

Jt. Secretary Killol Kamdar (571) 261-5282

Jt. Treasurer Varsha Thakore (301) 570-1656

Members-at-large

Arti Shah (301) 838-9778 Bina Shah (301) 549-1080 Harshesh Mawani (510) 402-8418 Kartik Shah

(410) 796-2346 Kayur Shah (703) 793-3303 Nilay Gandhi (703) 435-3596 Rajshree Ashar

(571) 918-0028 Sheela Shah (301) 552-6841 Tushar Sheth

(201) 892-5254 Vijaykumar Baxi (301) 253-1485

*** Picnic *** Sunday, June 27, 2010

Bohrer Park at Summit Hall Farm Gaithersburg, MD

(12:00PM – 6:00PM)

Youth Event - Rafting/Tubing

Shenandoah River, Luray, VA

Saturday, July 31st

Trustees

Anup Shah Managing Trustee

(240) 631-1753 Kirit Sheth (703) 541-0354 Urvesh Shah (571) 223-5382 Mala Udeshi (703) 449-0772

Election Committee

Raj Shivjiani Election Commissioner

(703) 948-9696 Vijay Bhalala (703) 817-0308 Harshid Shah (703) 723-9363 Natwar Mehta

Membership Director Jyotindra Shah (301) 549-3341

Community Director Kirit Udeshi (703) 449-0772

Legal Advisor Aparna Dave (301) 315-5842

Youth Committee Nisha Parikh Ashmi Sheth Keval Shah Nikith Shah Nina Udeshi

Webmaster: Priyank Vira Nilay Gandhi Email Editor: Kirit Udeshi Setu Editor: Nipa Parikh

Udeshi Inc, GMM, ISOPA & Bharat Darshan Udeshi Inc, GMM, ISOPA & Bharat Darshan present

Friday July 2, 2010 | 8:00 PMHigh Point High School

3601 Powder Mill Road, Beltsville, MD 20705

❦ FINAL TOUR OF USAOnly show inBaltimore-Washington.

❦ If you missed the show last year, this is your opportunity to see it.

❦ If you enjoyed the show last year, come with your friends and family to see new & improved show.

TICKETS: $25, $35, $50 and $75Purchase tickets online www.udeshiinc.com

Kirit Udeshi (703) 449-0772Raj Patel (301) 926-0055Kirit Sheth (703) 471-0345Thakor Mistry (703) 593-9945

Jay Joshi (301) 947-0930Jyotindra Shah (301) 549-3341Bhupendra Patel (301) 869-5590Nipa Parikh (301) 762-6365

Shailesh Desai (410) 356-2685Vijay Baxi (301) 253-1485Sunil Patel (301) 540-8522Dhiraj Parekh (410) 561-1583

WITHMANY

NEW AND POPULAR

SONGS

22

President’s Message Dear Members, Namaste. It has been both my pleasure and honor to serve the Samaj as President over the past few months. Through the hard work of scores of volunteers, the support of Samaj members and outreach with other organizations, several very successful events have been held. The Samaj year began with our annual ski trip on February 13th, 2010. More than 90 members enjoyed the bountiful snow on the slopes of Ski Round Top. Parents and children partaked in skiing, snowboarding and tubing and were only interrupted by the lunch and snacks provided by the Samaj. For the first time, we coordinated the ski trip with the Gujarati Samaj of Baltimore where we were able to enjoy the slopes with 180 of their members. Ski trip was organized and managed by youth committee under the leadership of Nisha Parikh. On March 5th, we organized a successful Gujarati drama titled “Kona Didha ne Tamara Rahi Gaya,” starring Ashish Bhatt. Approximately 500 Samaj members and guests attended this enjoyable drama and dinner. The dinner was catered by BAPS. Jyotindrabhai and Surekhaben Shah were most gracious in hosting dinner for the artists’ at their house. Their hospitality was very much appreciated by the artists and the Samaj. On April 25th, the Samaj chartered buses to Vraj in Pennsylvania. All Samaj members enjoyed this religious trip. Nimisha Patel graciously sponsored bus transportation cost for all senior citizens as we received an overwhelming response. An additional bus was sponsored with the support of Varsha Majmudar, Bina Shah and two anonymous Samaj members. This program would not have been a success without their support and are most thankful for their generosity. The delicious veggie wrap and hot mix was provided by Nayana Desai; the tea/coffee was provided by Rupa Vira; water bottles and bananas were provided by the Udeshi family; the apples were provided by Anup Shah; and Samaj provided khaman dhokla and masala puri. On the occasion of Golden Jubilee of Gujarat we celebrated Swarnim Gujarat with the Gujarati Samaj of Baltimore and the Saurashtra Patel Cultural Samaj of DC (SPCS). Additionally, Gujarati Mitra Mandal, Shri Mangal Mandir, Bharat Darshan, BAPS, Jain Society, Gujarati Literary Academy and India House of Worship joined our organization for this celebration and helped make this event the most united Gujarati event in the history of metropolitan Washington D.C. This event was first time ever that all Gujarati associations were united as one team. The unity of organizations was one reason over 4000 people attended the event. This event was also successful due to the hard work of numerous volunteers. I thank Jaybhai Joshi for organizing a very beautiful cultural program encompassing over 200 participants. Beenaben and Pradeepbhai Akolkar, and Bharatiben Joshi helped sequence the performances and arrange the sound system. Arti Shah planned wonderful children’s activities. Our Vice President, Urmiben Shah organized the 25 vendors that provided us with wonderful items and food. Beautiful souvenirs, which many of you received, were compiled by Rateebhai Patel and the souvenir committee while the design and typesetting was done by Raj Patel of GMM. Vijaybhai Bhalala, Kiritbhai Sheth, Pramodbhai Amin and the fundraising committee worked hard to make this event possible. My sincere gratitude goes out to Shah Associates for their generous donation as they have become a platinum sponsor of the event. Bina Shah, Sheela Shah, Kartik Shah, Rajshree Ashar, Nita Purohit and Rajshree Dalal worked with Mala Udeshi to organize all the competitions. Additionally Nilay Gandhi, Kayur Shah, Vijaykumar Baxi, Varsha Thakore, Killol Kamdar, Rajshree Ashar, Harshesh Mawani, Kamlesh Parikh, Jignesh Shah, Pranav and Niyati Pandya were there from the early morning to late night providing help as needed. Urvesh Shah and Tushar Sheth provided transportation services for the artists and Varsha Majmudar hosted dinner at Hampton Inn. Raj Shivjiani was there whole day capturing the moments on the film. Publicity and dignitaries were coordinated by Kamlesh Shah. Kiritbhai Udeshi helped us coordinate the evening finale of Aishwarya which was enjoyed by all. I would like to express gratitude to Payesh Jhaveri of Baltimore Gujarati Samaj and Ashokbhai Kavi (SPCS) for working with me side-by-side to make this event a memorable one. All the lahni was sponsored by SPCS. Saumil Parikh of SVP DJ managed sound system for all the activities in cafeteria and in auditorium. At last, my sincere thanks to our advisory committee - Pramodbhai Amin, Kiritbhai Udeshi and Kiritbhai Sheth and managing trustee of Gujarati Samaj – Anup Shah for their guidance and support. I look forward to all of your continued support and dedicated efforts throughout the year. Nipa Parikh – President 2010

Lots of group games and activities planned!

Delicious Food will be served!!

(Food items subject to change based on the availability of the items)

fafda-Jalebi-Marcha, Veggie Sandwich, Corn, Watermelon, Chips-Salsa, Bread-PBJ & Soda/Water, Dinner etc..

Prepay Before June 17th: Kids 5 and under free Senior Citizen (65+ years) free Per Youth/Adult $5 (Members)

$10 (Guest accompanied by Members) After June 17th: $10 per person This event is for members only

REGISTER YOUR NAME IN ADVANCE

ONLY FIRST 250 PEOPLE TO REGISTER WILL BE CONFIRMED.

MEMBERSHIP WILL BE STRICTLY VERIFIED * ABSOLUTELY NO REFUNDS

Mail your check payable to: GSMW Jignesh Shah, 13933 Coachmans Circle, Germantown, MD 20874

for current information, Visit www.dcsamaj.com or contact…

Jignesh Shah (301) 528 7975, Anup Shah (240) 631-1753, Urmi Shah (703) 655-2512, Arti Shah (301) 838-9778, Sheela Shah (301) 552-6841, Nilay Gandhi (703) 435-3596,

Varsha Thakore (301)570-1656, Bina Shah (301) 549-1080, Rajshree Ashar (571) 918-0028, Bharati Joshi (301) 947-0930

• Rain or Shine picnic will continue unless park is closed.

Directions: Take 270 North exit 9A to I 370, Bear right following signs to Gaithersburg Town Center. Exit 370 at Gaithersburg Town Center to Route 355 north. Continue on 355 to 3rd traffic light. Turn left onto Education Blvd. (This is shared entrance with Gaithersburg High School). Follow circle to 3rd driveway. For more information http://www.gaithersburgmd.gov/poi/default.asp?POI_ID=844&TOC=1;28;844;

Sunday June 27, 2010 Picnic Noon – 6pm Venue: Bohrer Park at Summit Hall Farm

506 S Frederick Ave. Gaithersburg MD 20877

Gujarati Samaj of Metropolitan Washington DC

Immigration Law and Visa Resource

The Law Offices of

Aparna Davé

Immigration Law is Our Practice

WELCOME TO OUR CYBERSPACE OFFICE

www.immigration2us.com

aparnadave@immigration2us.com

AND TO OUR EARTH-BASED OFFICE

107 Alderwood Drive, Gaithersburg, MD 20878

Phone: (301) 315-5842; Fax: (301) 315-5843 The Law Offices of Aparna Davé is an immigration law firm that handles matters in a variety of immigration law related areas. We focus on obtaining immigrant visas, nonimmigrant visas, and/or U.S. citizenship on behalf of our immigration law clients. Our firm strives to provide prompt and efficient immigration law assistance to its clients. Attorney Davé received a J.D. from Boston University and worked at the Harvard University Law School, Immigration Clinic. Attorney Dave is a member of Maryland, Massachusetts and the District of Columbia Bar.

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individuals who want to make intelligent real estate buying or selling decisions.” -Sonal Goda

Sonal Goda is able to achieve this goal by limiting the number of clients she works with at any one time. Sonal refuses to let you become just one more number on the road to becoming number one. That’s why she is

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(703) 863-0031

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GUJARATI SAMAJ OF METROPOLITAN WASHINGTON

Rafting/Tubing Trip on Shenandoah River near Luray, VA

http://shenandoahriver.com / (540) 743-4159 Saturday July, 31st, 2010 (no rain date)

6502 S. Page Valley Road, Luray, VA 22835

• Rafting Trip is open for Gujarati Samaj members and eligible family members only. • Any minor age kid must be accompanied by an adult. • Registration Charges are $15 per person (Non-refundable). $20 for Rafting or $18 for Tubing.

Please mail check payable to “Gujarati Samaj of Metropolitan Washington” for paying the money for Rafting or Tubing when you send registration check.

• Gujarati Samaj will provide round trip transportation from pre-defined pickup location(s) to Luray. (From Virginia: Stop # 1: 7:15 am. Leave from Tyson's Corner area (intersection of Westpark Drive and West Branch Drive). Stop # 2: 7:45 am. Bus will leave from Fair Lakes area (Stringfellow Road Park & Ride, 4920 Stringfellow Rd, Centreville, VA 20120).

• Subway sandwiches and water bottles will be provided for lunch to all registered members. • Rafting Trip will commence only if minimum of 40 participants (pre-paid) register by July

10th 2010. • Maximum of 47 participants will be accommodated for this Rafting Trip event. • Contact Nipa Parikh @ 301-762-6365 (after 4PM) or parikhnipa@hotmail.com Urmi Shah @

703-968-2590 or kshah211@verizon.net for registration. For additional information please visit www.dcsamaj.com

Members Forum: Vraj

Gujarat Day: Congratulation to All:

The purpose of this note is to commend and to express our appreciation to the Gujarat Day Celebrating 50 years of existence sponsored by Gujarati Samaj of DC and Baltimore and Saurashtra Patel Cultural Samaj as well as all of the support team and their management for the excellent support they have provided during recent event at Eleanor Roosevelt High School. These capable professional personnel have continually provided outstanding support throughout the process of this event. The best part we ever seen the three samaj involvement not only internal coordination within Guajarati communities but also external coordination with numerous people across USA. Despite an aggressive schedule and many other high-priority tasks demanding their time and attention, these three samaj and their support team have consistently completed the required event processing on time and often ahead of schedule, responding always with professionalism and enthusiasm to all of our DC, Northern Virginia and MD communities needs. Without their assistance, it would not have been possible to have the subject successful event. With their assistance, our communities have always received the highest quality services and products. – Nitin Ghadia

After the Vraj trip we have received many requests to arrange another religious trip to Lotus

Temple, VA. Gujarati Samaj is seeking for sponsor(s) to fulfill their wishes. We encourage our community members to come forward and

sponsor this event partially or fully.

Please contact Nipa Parikh @ 301-762-6365 or email president@dcsamaj.com

Dear Nipaben, Kamleshbhai, Kiritbhai-Family, There are no words to express our joy of ShriNathji Darshan. You all worked very hard for us. As we grow up driving restrictions come along and I do not travel very long. Everything was very well organized. My sincere Thanks and Blessings to you. Hope in future we get chance like this. -- Vandana Kharod

Jai Shree Krishna. On behalf of all seniors who had opportunity to travel to Vraj by bus, would like to thank you specially, and every one who worked heard to make it possible. Also, thanks to those who sponsored bus, breakfast, tea, Coffee fruits & snacks. As you know, for some of us it's not possible to take trip like this without your help, keep it up… You will find our support. May God bless you all. Once again thank you. – Tarini Desai

Members Forum: 50 Years of Gujarat Day Celebration

Hello Nipa- I wanted to just say that you did an awesome job!!! This was a hard and extremely time consuming - stressful - event. You handled this as a true leader! We are proud of you. Keep up the good work and let me know if I can do anything else. Obviously Kamlesh was a continuous support. Please convey this message to him. – Pranav Pandya Congratulation to All:

The purpose of this note is to commend and to express our appreciation to the Gujarat Day Celebrating 50 years of existence sponsored by Gujarati Samaj of DC and Baltimore and Saurashtra Patel Cultural Samaj as well as all of the support team and their management for the excellent support they have provided during recent event at Eleanor Roosevelt High School. These capable professional personnel have continually provided outstanding support throughout the process of this event. The best part we ever seen the three Samaj involvement not only internal coordination within Gujarati communities but also external coordination with numerous people across USA. Despite an aggressive schedule and many other high-priority tasks demanding their time and attention, these three Samaj and their support team have consistently completed the required event processing on time and often ahead of schedule, responding always with professionalism and enthusiasm to all of our DC, Northern Virginia and MD communities needs. Without their assistance, it would not have been possible to have the subject successful event. With their assistance, our communities have always received the highest quality services and products. Well Done!!!!!! Thanks. -- Nitin & Krinna Ghadia

Dear All, I have a distinct pleasure and honor of writing this Congratulation and Thank You Note to you three - the members of an exclusive club - the past and present presidents of the Gujarati Samaj. The program yesterday was a smashing hit, a proof-positive of your dedication and collective effort. This was coordination and execution at its best, really! What an awesome display of talent.

What we started in late is now a big event. Kiritbhai, you all took it to new heights.

Again, Great Job and Congratulations! -- Manu Dhokai

NIPABEN & COMPANY AT DC SAMAJ: CONGRATULATIONS ON PUTTING UP A GREAT SHOW. THE PROGRAM WAS VERY WELL-ATTENDED.-BHPENDRA (IHOW)

Kiritbhai, Pranavbhai and others: Thank you for the invite to Swarnim Gujarat festivities yesterday. Judging from the audience reception, the event was a great success! I appreciate the opportunity to give a few remarks. I am sorry I could not stay longer to attend the Aishwarya program. It was my loss. I applaud your leadership in organizing such a big event which requires enormous effort and coordination. Warm regards. -- Natwar Gandhi

LIFE / 2010 MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

GUJARATI SAMAJ OF METROPOLITAN WASHINGTON

Applying for: (Check One)

New Membership [ ]

Living in Metropolitan area since _____________

(Month/year)

Membership Renewal for 2010 [ ]

Check this Box if only submitting for the change of address notification

Application For

(Check one)

[ ] Life Membership: $250.00

Annual membership: (for 2010) Family: [ ] $25.00 Single: [ ] $10.00

Applicant’s Name:

Spouse’s Name

(If applicable)

Address:

(Last) (First) (Middle)

(Spouse’s Name)

Street Apt#

City State Zip Phone#: ( ) - * Email:

Dependents Living with

you

Unmarried Children Parents living at the same address Name Date of Birth

(MM/DD/YY) Name Relationship

to applicant

Definition as per the

constitution

Article IV – Membership: 3a. In the case of family membership (life or annual), the rights and privileges of membership are granted to the

member and his or her spouse, unmarried children of age 22 and under and parents of the member and his/her spouse, all living in the same household, provided they are all registered at the time of becoming member or paying annual dues.

3b. In the case of single membership, the rights and privileges of membership are restricted to the person paying the dues.

Mailing Address:

Make check Payable to: Mail it to:

Gujarati Samaj c/o Nipa Parikh NOTE: 10410 Broadfield Ct. Annual membership only Potomac, MD 20854 valid until 12/31/2010

Signature

I agree to abide by the rules and regulations of Samaj membership. I have received the copy of Samaj By-laws.

(Applicant)

(Date)

For Office Use Only

Total Amount Collected: $__________________ Paid by: Check [ ] Cash [ ] Check #: _________________________________ Bank: ____________________________________ Dated: ___________________________________

Accepted By (signature) (Date)

Name: Other Remarks: In-complete forms will not be accepted. Membership is non-refundable.

Counting numbers is easy...Interpreting them requires skill.

Raman R. Desai, P.C.CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS19785 Crystal Rock Drive, Suite 304Germantown, MD 20874

Tel: 301.528.5595Fax: 301.528.5590www.desaicpa.comPartnersRaman R. Desai, MBA, CPARakesh G. Shah, CPALalit D. Gohil, CPA

With Best Compliments from

Celebrating 30th year of our organization

For professional

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Set up of New Business(LLCs, Corporations, S-Corporations, etc.)

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Business Management Consulting

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GUJARATI SAMAJ OF METROPOLITAN WASHINGTON

10410 Broadfield Ct, Potomac, MD 20854 : (301) 762-6365 Email: president@dcsamaj.com

http://www.dcsamaj.com

Mark your calendars for Upcoming events in 2010:

Date Events

Sunday, June 27th Picnic- Bohrer Park, Gaithersburg, MD Saturday, July 31st Rafting/Tubing Event

Shenandoah River near Luray, VA Friday, October 8th - Day 1 Navratri - Day 1

Saturday, October 9th - Day 2 Navratri - Day 2 Friday, October 15th - Day 3 Navratri - Day 3

Saturday, October 16th - Day 4 Navratri - Day 4 Saturday, October 23rd Sharad Poornima Navratri – Day 5 Saturday, November 13th Gujarati Samaj Diwali Dinner Friday, December 31st (Tentative) New Year’s Celebration

********* All the events planned are subject to approval from 2010 Committee *****

For your address/phone number/email id and other membership updates:

Email: president@dcsamaj.com

PRSRT STD U.S. Postage

PAID So. MD

Permit No. 4390