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Convention' 95: A magnificent event
In any language, it was a magnificent event. The first annual convention of the BSNA was held at Allentown, PA on July 1, and 2, 1995. It was attended by about 350 people from the USA and Canada. The ages of the delegates ranged from a few months to several decades. That was precisely the objective of the convention--to bring the different generations together. According to Mr. Kailash Sharma, the Convention Chairman, the convention provided a "-- wonderful opportunity to the younger generation to enjoy and comprehend a glimpse of our great heritage and traditions presented by those belonging to the older generation--."
The convention started with Ganesha- prayers by Dr. Laxmi Chaturvedi, Ms. Preti Chaturvedi, Mr. Anand Chaturvedi. The first session consisted of thought provoking and informative lectures by Dr. Shyam Shukla (session chairman), Dr. Ram Chaudhari, Dr. Onkar Dwivedi, Ms. Rachana Choubey, Dr. Satya Pachori, Dr. Hans Upadhyaya, and Dr. L. Chaturvedi on diverse issues like value of service, growing up in America, and Karmyoga.
The session after lunch started with a vandana in Hindi, set to music by DrPradeep Shukla, and sung by Dr. Anita Dubey, Dr. Pradeep Shukla, and Ms. Sharad Tewary. The session was then addressed by Mr. Nirmalendu Choubey, Dr. Satchidanand Mishra, and Mr. Bhaw Dutt Shukla. Mr. Choubey described the formation of the BSNA, and the role it would play in bringing the community together. The keynote speech was delivered by Prof. Ramanath Sharma, a reputed scholar and Professor of Linguistics at the University of Hawaii. In his speech, Prof. Sharma discussed the importance of samskara, and the need to uphold the cultural values of the community. The post-lunch session ended with the presentation of a plaque Mr. Nirmalendu Choubey, in recognition of his contributions to the community.
The keynote session was followed by four parallel break-out sessions. One, chaired by Dr. Ghanshyam Pandey, was devoted to questions by the audience and answers by a panel of experts. The issues pertaining to youth were discussed in the sessions chaired by Ms. Natasha Chaturvedi, Ms. Neelu (cont p2) (from p.1) Shukla, Mr. Ashok Tripathi, Ms. Deepti Choubey, Ms. Ruchi Misra, Ms. Richa Chaturvedi, and Ms. Sonia Sharma.
Not that the convention was all work and no play. A beautiful cultural program was organized by Mr. Raga Misra and Dr. Anita Dubey, and conducted with wit and humor by Ms. Anuranjita Tewary and Mr. Rajesh Pandey. The program included a famous dance by Ms. Madhuri Dixit, but the brochure hastily clarified "No, not what you are thinking." The highlight of the program was some very funny caricatures and parodies by Mr. Ramesh Pandey, the famous Hollywood Yogi from-- where else-- Hollywood. Finally, the eventful day ended with a western style dance with the excellent rocking music presented by a local DJ, and a well-attended Kavi-Sammelan.
The Kavi-sammelan included, in addition to excellent poetry, beautiful songs and ghazals. Ms. Neeti Dubey set the mood with her inspiring Saraswati-vandana. Ms. Vasavdatta Vyas recited a beautiful Sanskrit poem. Other artists who instantaneously won the audience's applause were Mr. Anoop Bhargava, Ms. Kamlesh Misra, Mr. Jagar Sharma, Mr. Ramesh Pandey, and the keynote speaker. We discovered that Prof. Ramanath Sharma, in addition to being a great sch-olar and an orator, is an excellent poet.
A picnic was organized on 'the day after' in a scenic park. The picnic had fun games, quizzes, informal music program, a Yoga demonstration by Mr. Ramesh Pandey, and above all delicious food.
The whole event was a grand success and very well organized. The programs were well planned and, by and large, the timings were maintained. OK, not quite, but why bother about timings. We had plenty of gyan-ganga, and the food was delicious, with generous helpings of swe-ets. What more could the brahmans want?
The excellent organizational job was done by a coherent team that included Mr. Kailash Sharma, Mr. Anoop Bhargava, Mr. Bhaw Shukla, Mr. Dhirendra Shukla, Mr. Ramakant Chaturvedi, Mr. Pooran Tripathi, Dr. Satchidanand Mishra, Dr. Surendra Dwivedi, Dr. Sudhendu Choubey, and Dr. Ramendra Pandey. Ms. Richa Pandey conducted a useful statistical survey.
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