Take part in our competitions and win prizes. Past and current activities. General information about the Saraswat Samaj. Brilliant recepies to tickle your taste buds. Information about Saraswat Samaj (UK). The history of the Samaj. A list of related links.
The Present   

History  

Vantiga  

The Constitution   

Organisation  

Mission  

Newsletter  

Committee  

Membership  


NEWSLETTER 2002. ISSUE-1 (MARCH)

Dear members,

I would like to present this first newsletter for this year. We have some exciting events planned for the forthcoming year and you are of course welcome to put forward any further suggestions. The success of these events depends on your full co-operation and I sincerely hope that you all will be able to attend. The Diwali function last year was a tremendous success with record numbers attending and we would like to build on this enthusiasm.

Kunda Hosangady

Editor

CHAIRPERSON'S MESSAGE

Dear friends,

When the new committee took over in January 2001 we felt we had the mandate to raise the scale and scope of the Samaj's activities. With a larger committee and a good mix of 'old wisdom' and 'new ideas', we enthusiastically decided to not only try and upgrade the traditional 'social' events of the Samaj calendar but also add some new dimensions to Samaj activities on the sports and cultural heritage - all with the view to actively engage our younger generation's interest and involvement.

Looking back on 2001 in retrospect, we can all be justifiably happy that we are well on our way to achieving our goals with concrete steps and initiatives. The London Eye visit (in July) was an opportunity not just for social interaction but also to enjoy one of the latest world attractions that London houses. The annual AGM /picnic/cricket match at Henley (in August) was enjoyable as always. In October our younger generation did us proud by taking the initiative to plan and pull off a superb badminton tournament that saw participation from ages 7-70! The last event of the year was the 'icing on the cake'. The annual Diwali programme, always our biggest and best-attended event, set new records in many ways. Jointly hosted and presented by the Gowda Saraswat Sabha UK and the Saraswat Samaj UK, a record crowd of close to 300 people watched over 50 youngsters participate in a wonderful set of programmes carefully planned to educate them about their roots and to joyfully celebrate our heritage. From singing devotional songs and answering quizzes to appearing in divine fancy dress and colourful Indian costumes and enthusiastically dancing the 'dandiya-raas', the children truly held centre-stage and how!

Another big initiative targeting young and old alike was launched with pride at the Diwali function. Our Samaj's official website (www.saraswatsamajuk.org), which a talented and committed sub-committee has painstakingly put together over many months of hard work. This website hopes to become the central mode of communication and interaction for the Samaj - not just between its own local members but also with young Saraswats from around the world.

A lot to look back on and a lot to look forward to in 2002...as the calendar of events in this newsletter will show. That's why it is doubly hard to announce here that I am stepping down as Chairperson as I write this letter. We are relocating to Hong Kong this summer for Vijay's next posting and over the next few months, I will be busy coping with our move, Vijay's health etc. In our last committee meeting we unanimously requested Devesh Nayel to take up the role and he has kindly accepted. Meanwhile, Gurudas Bailur will fulfil the role of Secretary until June to allow Mohan Sajip time off to get on with preparations of his daughter's wedding. Again, more details on this in the articles to follow.

So. To quote the great philosopher/mystic Khalil Gibran "the river moves on to the sea ... but the river is always there". The word "Samaj" says a lot but it means much more; to us it has come to mean "extended family". Which is why there is a sense of sadness on saying goodbye to the Samaj and this wonderful family's members, but we also firmly believe that this 'bond' will remain and endure and grow. I look forward to keeping in touch with all of you. One wish? To log into our website regularly and watch it grow and thrive and become at least this one Saraswat family's connection with its UK community. Please, please make this happen.

Thank you one and all, for your support.

With love and gratitude,

Nilima Bhat

Chairperson

COMMITTEE PORTFOLIO CHANGES

  • Chairman: Devesh Nayel has taken over from Nilima Bhat
  • Secretary: Gurudas Bailur has taken over from Mohan Sajip until end-June. A decision for second half 2002 will be made later
  • Treasurer: Shankar Kandlur has taken the main role over from Devesh Nayel. Ramesh Haldipur becomes Jt. Treasurer.
  • Math/ Charity Matters: Shashi Bailoor has assumed this new role
  • Sports: Sanjay Kulkarni has assumed this new role
  • Cultural Matters: Mohan Sajip will assume this new role from July 2002 onwards
  • Other portfolios remain unchanged:
    • Jt. Secretary: Vivekananda Baindoor,
    • Social Events: Suman Nagarkatti/ Surekha Kodical
    • Editor: Kunda Hosangady

CALENDAR EVENTS FOR 2002

Exciting series of events planned ... please put these in your diaries now!

  • May 6th : Carrom Tournament
  • June15th: Community Bhajan
  • August 3rd: Picnic/ Cricket/ AGM
  • September 14th: Badminton Tourney
  • November 9th: Diwali Programme

Carrom Tournament: May 6th 2002

After the success of last year's Badminton tournament, we have decided to follow it up with Carrom!

  • Venue: Hendon Hall
  • Time: 12pm to 6pm
  • Refreshments will be served
  • Last Date For Entries: 15th April 2002

Everyone (children and adults) is welcome to take part. Details and entry forms will be provided shortly.

Please contact Rima Karnad who is organising the event, if you are interested in participating.

Community Bhajan: 15th June 2002

The current Bhajan programme has, over the years, become a strong binding force among its regular attendees. However, there is an opportunity to

  • Expand the scale, by encouraging wider participation from members
  • Expand the scope, by adding a 'knowledge' dimension, of particular relevance to the younger generation

As a first step, we have decided to hold a Bhajan/Cultural event that will be fully funded by the Samaj. And we hope this will become a quarterly event.

  • Venue: Hendon hall
  • Timing: 5.30pm till 9.15pm
  • Refreshments will be served
  • Further details will be provided shortly
  • Contact: Devesh Nayel

LOCAL SABHA STATUS FOR SAMAJ

Shashi Bailoor reports:

We are pleased to inform you that, in response to an approach by the Samaj committee, the Standing Committee of the Chitrapur Math has unanimously approved granting of 'Local Sabha Status' to the Saraswat Samaj UK, subject to final clearance by the Math's Legal Advisor.

The Standing Committee President, Shri Bantwal has indicated that we will be informed of official approval by mid- March 2002.

'Local Sabha Status' will bring us closer to the main stream Chitrapur Saraswat community back home in connection with matters relating to the Math.

It will also grant us representation at the annual general meeting (Mahasabha) and voting rights on issues concerning the Math.

CHARITY MATTERS

The sale of raffle tickets during the last Diwali function raised a net amount of £170. As announced, half of this is earmarked for a charitable organisation blessed by HH Shreemat Parijnanashram Swamiji viz. 'Shree Shant Sukhada' Trust, actively engaged in providing educational and medical support to villages around Karla.

WEBSITE UPDATE

LondonEye Photo contest:

Congratulations to the winners ... see the winning entries on the website (www.saraswatsamajuk.org)

  • Most Scenic: Devesh Nayel
  • Most Creative: Vijay Bhat
  • Funniest: Ranjan Adur

Diwali 2001

We are in the process of putting up new content (write-up and pictures of the Diwali event) so please send your contributions - comments, views, photographs - to Vivekananda Baindoor

Ongoing contributions/ involvement: There is a lot to be done and we need enthusiastic volunteers! If you have any experience at all with writing/ editing/ publishing etc, please raise your hand to join the web-editorial team on this exciting project. Contact Nilima Bhat. In any case, do log in regularly to the site and browse!

NEWS FLASH

We are very proud to announce that Alpana Sajip (d/o Anita and Vinay Sajip and gd/o Sharada and Mohan Sajip) came First and won the 2002 Trophy in the "Speech and Drama" competition held by the "Watford Festival" for children below 5 years. She was also awarded a Medal and Certificate of Distinction.

To encourage our younger generation, please contact the Editor with similar achievements to be announced in our next newsletter.