For some it is a religion. They reach there by about 10.30 AM, chit chat with their peers and pals, share all kinds of information about government rules regarding immigration, health care, and social security, guide each other on such procedures and celebrate birth days of each other and depart around 12.30 p.m. This is a purely male bonding group, as females are kept busy at homes playing nanny roles, cooking meals, making beds or cleaning the apartment or house.

As Fremont Hub is a very convenient location, these seniors have found a concrete circular structure designed for sitting at the centre of the Hub. Like a village or Sheri Otla, it serves exactly the same function that these seniors would otherwise miss in the well structured life in America. Though I saw some Indian seniors sitting on this circular structure sometimes during my visits to the Hub for groceries or other goods that are available in many stores there, I never thought that this was a well defined senior location for an Otla parishad. As most of its visitors are Gujarati with a few from Andhra, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Punjab, Gujarati is heard over other languages here. I generally ignored this group as you ignore the contractors, carpenters, labourers and masons who assemble near the railway bridge while going to Alkapuri when you do not need their services. Self reliance that I learnt from Ralf Emerson’s famous essay during my student days always came in my way and I could not associate with this group, though some visitors from Baroda had talked to me about this group earlier, particularly for help regarding filing my papers for the Green Card.

Last week I walked to this group and found that they were very hospitable and warm and welcomed me as if we knew each other for many years. This kind of familiarity is rare to find. As they have travelled the same path and have experienced the same pleasures and pains of living in or leaving a family, I could easily connect with them. Within a few minutes, I found that we were comparing notes on all kinds of matters that concern us at this juncture of life. I therefore thought that I should share these thoughts with all of you who meet at least once a month under the banner of NRIPA VADODARA.

Let me introduce to you some members of this Fremont Otla Parishad without mentioning their names for obvious reasons. The first person I met with was an officer working in a pharmaceutical company in Baroda who came here a few years ago. Finding no work because of American English, he sits at home with his son’s family. While his wife looks after the children and daily chores, he reads the old copy of Gujarat Samachar that he borrows from a friend of this Otla Parishad. As these are bad days in America, his daughter-in-law too has been trying to find a job for the last one and half years. With just one income in the family of seven, it is difficult to live, tells me this qualified pharmacist from Baroda. But he is not worried as his health problems are covered by the medical care provided by the government, though he has yet to claim for Social Security monthly allowance that he would get after he attains the citizenship of America. And for the emotional food, this company on the Hub is sufficient, he tells me. When I told him that I was planning to return to Baroda next month, his eyes shone, as he has not visited the city of his birth and work for many years though he has his old house there.

Now meet a doctor who practiced medicine in and around Ahmedabad for many years and has finally come here to live. Over the last many years, he has been trying to get used to the American way of life, though not successfully.  In fact, he has surrendered the Green Card twice during his long love-hate relationship with USA. This is his third attempt to get used to live here.

Financially comfortable, he drives his own car and entertains this group occasionally on Samosas, khaman and tea that he brings with him from Bharat Bazar in his car. He seems to be happy that he would be able to walk well soon after his knee replacement. It will be taken care of by the free medical care that the government provides to him. As he has helped many, he is sure his friends will call him up if not visit him during his convalescence. In his third and final attempt to adjust to America, he seems to succeed.

A man from Bombay enrols readers for Gujarat Samachar published in London and New Jersey simultaneously. He brings the copies of this newspaper daily to this place to give them to the subscribers who pass on yesterday’s copies to the non subscribers to take home. This one time highly placed officer in a multinational company in Bombay is in fact most positive about his American experiences. Many years ago, when he came here after retirement, he started working almost immediately. Though the American job was not high paying or high profile, it provided him with enough income to live independently in a rented apartment near the place where his son lived. Of course now he lives with his son’s family mainly because his wife wants to be very near her grand children who adore their granny. Mr. Bombaywallah as he is popularly known in this group is the most well informed person on matters related to immigration, healthcare, social security other benefits from government. He is eulogistic about the benefits of OCI card that allows him to visit India whenever he wants and stay there as long as he wishes. He has nothing negative about American way of life and still comes here to replenish him with fresh news from India. When I told him about NRIPA in Baroda and other places, he got curious to find the rationale for such an association in India where there are too many people to help each other. All that I could tell him was that he had lived too long in America to know the changing reality of life in India. As we were short of time, so we decided to meet again to discuss this new reality of urban life in India that NRIPA addresses to. I would end this write-up here and introduce a few more people in this column next month.

In the meanwhile, I would like to congratulate and thank all the NRIPA members for crossing the first one hundred mark making it a self supporting financially sustainable group as is shown in the balance sheet presented by our treasurer.

Dr. Om P. Juneja

President, NRIPA Vadodara.

2.0 HIGHLIGHTS OF MEETINGS.

2.1. Executive Committee meeting held on Friday, June 04, 2010 at 18.00 hrs. in the premises of Indusind Bank, Warasia, Branch, Warasia, Vadodara.

Following EC members and Special Invitees attended the meeting.

(1) Sr. Vice President - Mr. Pravin D. Vaidya

(2) Vice President - Mr. Paryani Lakhi N.

(3) Vice President - Mr. Issar G. Totlani

(4) General Secretary - Mr. Goswami Amritgiri J.

(5) Joint Secretaries – Mr. Manaharbhai N. Shah, Mr. Maganbhai Mistry

(6) Joint Treasurer - Mr. Ramesh Chavda

(7) Editor - Mr. Umakant Shah

(8) Special Invitees – Mr. S. N. Makhijani & Mr. Muni J. Bhatt.

Sr. Vice President Mr. Pravin Vaidya welcomed special invitees Mr. Makhijani S. N. and Mr. Muni Bhatt.

Following points were discussed and decisions were taken unanimously.

1.0. The progress/implementation of work decided in the last EC meeting held on the

9^th May, 2010 was reviewed.

1.1. There is no progress in the area wise group formation to motivate all members for

group meetings. Sr. Vice President requested all members to take initiative to revive

this forum.

1.2. Laminated ID cards are still pending as sufficient numbers of life members have

not submitted their details to go for economic order value.

1.3. A resolution as under was passed to appreciate event of Metro Hospital.

We appreciate efforts put up by Mr. Lakhi N. Paryani, Vice President and his team

members Mr. Amritgiri Goswami, Mr. Vijay Khopkar, Mr. Ramesh Chavda and others to

organize a successful visit to Metro Hospital and free blood check up camp. We

congratulate them for such a milestone achievement of gala gathering which was well

recognized by Print Media and Electronic Media, besides officials of Metro Hospital.

1.4. A resolution as under was passed for the fixed deposit.

It is resolved unanimously that Treasurer/ Joint Treasurer is authorized to transfer funds

from saving account to Fixed Deposit in suitable banks in consultation with Sr. Vice

President, keeping minimum amount of Rs. 30000/- in the savings account.

1.5. Mr. Lakhi Paryani briefed about empanelment offer received from Premdas Jalaram

Hospital, Warasia. He along with his team members will negotiate with the authorities of

Jalaram Hospital for further course of action. Mr. Totlani narrated his experience with

the hospital during emergency treatment of his wife in the past.

1.6. Mr. Lakhi Paryani briefed about visit to High Tech Eye Clinic. It is as under.

Meeting with Mr. Mahesh M. Shah, Chairman, Samir Surgitech Pvt.Ltd.

Madam Medha Mahulikar, Center Manager, HI – TECH Eye Surgical Clinic invited NRIPA through Mr. Lakhi Paryani, Vice President to visit their clinic for discussion and appraise us about their high tech technology in the field of ophthalmology and accordingly Mr. Lakhi Paryani, Mr. Issar Totlani and Mr. Amritgiri Goswami visited their clinic on June 3, 2010.

Mr. Mahesh M. Shah, Chairman, Samir Surgitech Pvt. Ltd. appraised in brief their charity activities, their technology in the field of ophthalmology particularly Cataract, Glaucoma, D C R – (Nasur), spectacles removal by most modern technology using state of the art machinery, providing medicines at cheaper rate, future plan to start Glaucoma Centre, Free Eye Check up camps for Sr. Citizens etc. These are their main features.

Their company is 78 years old in this field and they have been in Baroda since 1964.

Their noteworthy activity is that they provide training to doctors at the global level, visit all over the world too for presentations etc.

Their Mumbai unit is equipped with unique facility for Varicose Surgery by Laser Technology which converts the affected vain dead to get rid of pain in standing position.

They were good enough to show us their well equipped high tech eye surgical clinic.

Madam Medha Mahulikar, Centre Manager of High Tech Eye Clinic and Madam Neha Amin, Center Manager of New Vision Laser Centre showed various modern equipments and facilities available there. Their NOBLADE vision correction is a LASIK procedure which is a 100 % blade free surgery taking patient to vision of 6/6 and beyond.

We appraised them about our activities and requested them to develop friendly relationship with us. We also emphasized that if they sponsor an ad on our website, it will definitely provide them lucrative business looking to current daily hit counter of about 250~300.

They will again invite us for further discussion regarding sponsoring a monthly meeting with free eye check up for our members and an ad for our website when Dr. Rupal Shah, Clinical Director is back after her current visit of China etc. Dr. Rupal Shah, Laser Refractive Surgeon is one of the pioneers of Lasik Vision Correction, an advanced procedure to correct refractive errors restoring normal vision.

We all three found Mr. Mahesh Shah, Chairman to be very cordial, humane and modest. He is an energetic person of 75 years. NRIPA wishes him a healthy, long and happy life.

1.7. Mr. Lakhi Paryani briefed about how today’s meeting had been organized in the

premises of Indusind bank.

1.8. Mr. Ramesh Chavda informed about progress for an advertisement received from

Cinderella Travels. Mr. Jasubhai Patel of Cinderella Travels has assured payment

and suggested to load a link as an advertisement from their website.

1.9. Mr. Muni Bhatt informed about progress in negotiation with Dr. Darshan Banker and

C. P. Travels. It was suggested that Mr. Muni Bhatt may further discuss with

Dr. Darshan Banker to arrange a meeting in the premises of Darshan Heart Institute

including some free check up camp for our members. We may request Dr. Darshan

Banker to hand over Cheque during such function.

1.10. Mr. Amritgiri Goswami informed how we got the advertisements from Mr. Tony

Kent for his clients through email communications and current payment status.

1.11. The suggestion received from our former President Mr. Madhusudanbhai Mehta

about helpdesk was discussed at length and it was decided to implement it after

considering its modality and other related issues. It may be helpful to increase the

traffic on our website. Various features of our website like message box, forum, ask us

etc was discussed. These features, if utilized by the NRIPA members, provide a good

platform to exchange views.

1.12. It was decided to celebrate our Annual day on July 21, 2010 with in - house

programs, if atmosphere is favorable.

2.0. Mrs. Dominica Rodrigues, branch Manager, Indusind Bank introduced her self and

gave brief account about various services including salient features offered by the

Bank to Senior Citizens.

Some of the salient features offered by this bank are personalized services to

customers, NRI related services, various door step services, free guidance to

portfolio management, Need base investment advice, investments in Mutual Funds,

Insurance, attractive interest rates on fixed deposits etc. They are Certified Financial

Advisors.

Mrs. Dominica Rodrigues assured us an advertisement for our website and sponsor a

monthly meeting shortly after obtaining necessary approval from concerned

authorities. Mr. Paryani will do the needful in the matter.

Mrs. Dominica and her team members were delighted to welcome

NRIPA Members to their premises for a meeting.

Mr. Lakhi Paryani expressed vote of thanks to Bank Management and Mrs. Dominica Rodrigues for providing hospitality and sponsoring EC Meeting.

2.2. Monthly meeting of NRIPA, Vadodara was held on June 29,  2010 in “Riya Revati Resort”, Opp. M. S. Hostel, Sama – Savli Road, Vadodara – 390 024

Mr. Pravin Vaidya, Sr. Vice President presided the function.

71 persons registered themselves in stipulated time frame while 72 persons participated and enjoyed the meeting.

1. The function of the meeting started with chanting of “OM” followed by a prayer

presented by Mrs. Virbalaben Pancholi.

2. A condolence resolution was passed for late Mrs. Sarita Bhagia and silence was observed

to pay homage to the departed soul.

3. Mr. Pravin Vaidya said that needy students securing more than 86 % in 10^th standard

may contact a trust run by brother of Mrs. Bhagia for scholarship.

4. Mr. Pravin Vaidya gave brief information about recent activities of NRIPA He

emphasized the need to revive Otla Parishad and Area wise group meetings and requested

concerned members to initiate the task.

5. He informed about status of website and its various features, daily hits etc. He also

informed that they were planning to present a paper on how website can be developed as

informative and publicity tool as well as how it provides way for revenue generating in

coming CONRIPO Meet at Pune. NRIPA will also try to make CONRIPO more

functional.

6. Mr. Pravin Vaidya, Mr. Issar Totlani, Mr. Lakhi Paryani and Mr. Amritgiri Goswami

attended a seminar on June 29, 2010 organized by Federation of Gujarat Industries.

Dr. Bradley K. Googins delivered a presentation on “Corporate Social

Responsibilities”. It provided a platform for NRIPA to interact with officials of Federation

of Gujarat chamber and Dr. Googins.

7. Mr. Pravin Vaidya welcomed new members. The new members gave their

self- introduction.

Four new members (Mr. Patel Mahendra, Mr. Patel Girish, Mr. Shah Deepak, and

Mr. Brahmbhatt) joined as annual members while Mr. Shah Girish, Col. (Retd.) Lalit

Mohan Gupta and Mr. Chandrakant Vipradas attended the meeting and may join later on.

Mr. Mulchandani Naraindas converted his annual membership to life membership.

8. Mr. Lakhi N. Paryani introduced Indusind officials and its various features.

Mr. Totlani also informed his experience about the bank. Mr. Pravin Vaidya felicitated

Mrs. Dominica, Branch Manager, Indusind Bank and her team by offering a bouquet.

Representatives of Indusind Bank made a slide show presentation on products and

Services offered by them. It was a good and short presentation which was well

appreciated by the members.

9. The Birth day celebration of all whose birth days were in April, May and June was

enjoyed by all. Mrs. Dropti Bhagia, Mr. Thakordas Bhagia and Mr. Dhiraj Kotecha

joined in singing a birthday song. It was a happy and memorable moment when birth

day members danced proving that life begins at 60. The Birth day members took a round

with enthusiasm and the audience enjoyed by clapping.

10. All members enjoyed entertainment presentations by Mr. Vinod Sanghani and

Mrs. Shobha Sanghani, Mrs. Dropti Bhagia, Mr. Thakordas Bhagia, Mr. Jagadish

Vadher, Mr. Diliprai Nagar, Mr. B. D. Patel, Mr. D. O. Kotecha, Mr. Pinakin Vaidya

and Mr. Issar G. Totlani.

11. Mr. Pinakin Vaidya attended the meeting after his accident to meet all NRIPA

Friends and expressed his gratitude towards help received from NRIPA. All members

gave a standing ovation to express their solidarity with him and others, showing that:

“You are not alone, We are with you”.

12. Mr. Pravin Vaidya on behalf of NRIPA wished Bon Voyage, by offering a

bouquet to Mrs. Madhu Arora and Mr. Indrakumar Arora, who were going abroad.

13. The Indusind Bank arranged a lucky draw and gave 5 surprise prizes to 5 lucky

winners from amongst the NRIPA members.

14. Mr. Issar Totlani expressed a vote of thanks.

15. The meeting ended with a dinner.

16. Copy of News Letter for the month April-May 2010 was distributed to all members.

2.3 Minutes of meeting of Executive Committee held at 10.00 hrs. on Sunday, July 11, 2010 at Kalyan Café, Fateh Gunj, Vadodara.

Following EC members attended the meeting.

1. Sr. Vice President - Mr. Pravin D. Vaidya

2. Vice President - Mr. Pinakin M. Vaidya

3. Vice President - Mr. Paryani Lakhi N.

4. General Secretary - Mr. Goswami Amritgiri J.

5. Joint Secretary – Mr. Maganbhai Mistry

6. Treasurer – Mr. Vijay Khopkar

7. Joint Treasurer - Mr. Ramesh Chavda

8. Editor - Mr. Umakant Shah.

Following agenda was transacted.

Leave of absence of following EC Members was granted considering their inability to attend the meeting.

1. President – Dr. Om Juneja

2. Vice President – Mr. Issar G. Totlani

3. Joint Secretary – Mr. Manaharbhai Shah

4. EC Member - Mrs. Geeta Jatin Shah

5. EC Member - Mrs. Leela Ramnathan

6. EC Member - Mr. Naik Kantilal K.

7. EC Member - Mrs. Rashmika K. Naik

8. Former President - Mr. Madhusudanbhai B. Mehta.

The progress/implementation of work as decided in the last EC meeting held on Friday, June 04, 2010 was reviewed.

Following resolutions were passed unanimously after discussion and clarification thereon.

Resolution 1. Mr. Manaharbhai Shah’s co-option as an internal auditor was endorsed.

Resolution 2. The Income & Expenditure Account for the period from April 01, 2009 to March 31, 2010 and the Statement of Assets & Liabilities as on March 31, 2010 is approved.

Following points were discussed and appropriate decisions were taken.

We appreciate the completion of accounts for the year 2009 ~2010 by our treasurer Mr. Vijay Khopkar in a short period.

We appreciate the completion of internal audit of the accounts for the year 2009 ~ 2010 by the internal auditor Mr. Manaharbhai Shah in a very short period.

It is decided to explore an alternate way to receive payment from Mr. Tony Kent for the advertisement of his client ING Direct. Mr. Pravin Vaidya and Mr. Amritgiri Goswami are authorized to take suitable decision.

It is decided to invite print media and electronic media for the coverage of our AGM and Annual Day Celebration.

An invitation via email may be sent to Dr. Rahul Patel and Dr. Kuntal Soni whose have sponsored advertisement for our website to attend our Annual day Celebration as guests.

It is decided to provide appropriate time to the participants presenting their entertainment program during Annual day Celebration.

2.4 NRIPA AGM Dt. 21-7-2010.

The Annual General Meeting for the year 2009~2010 and Annual Day Celebration of NRIPA, Vadodara was held at 06.00 PM on the 21 July, 2010 at Madhuban restaurant, Kareli Baugh, Vadodara.

The exit of the Glorious era of 8th year and the entry to the 9th year was witnessed with great enthusiasm by 75 persons, out of which 72 persons registered themselves for the participation.

The function of the meeting started with chanting of “OM” followed by prayer presented by Mrs. Kokilaben Manaharbhai Shah and Mr. Dhiraj Kotecha.

Shri Pravinbhai Vaidya, Sr. Vice President presided the meeting and General Secretary Shri Amritgiri Goswami conducted the meeting.

Sr. Vice President heartily welcomed all the members and thanked all for attending the meeting in large numbers.

1.0 Sr. Vice President highlighted some of the work done by NRIPA in the year as follows.

1.1 He specifically mentioned about five books given by Mrs. Jasuben Parikh, spouse of our

very senior member Late Shri J. D. Parikh who had a fortune to study at Princeton

University USA under the guidance of famous scientist Mr. Albert Einstein. The Book

will be available to members for reading on request. The book specifically mentions

about how they enjoyed the company of NRIPA members and on his 80^th Birth

anniversary he had requested to celebrate it as being celebrated for a child decorating the

Hall with balloons and cutting the cake etc. He was so enthusiastic that he learned the

computer at the age of 80 years and got the Top Rank.

1.2. He lauded the extra ordinary work done by our General secretary Shri Amritgiri

Goswami in developing the NRIPA web site and regularly up dating it so nicely

that it is appreciated by even other organizations like NRIPO Pune, NRG centre

Vadodara etc. And also NRIPA has already recovered the cost of developing the

web site by getting the advertisements for the web site and has crossed the

break even point.

1.3. He appreciated the progress done by the team lead by our Vice president Shri

Paryani in NRIPA Health care program by contacting different specialist doctors

and hospitals and tying up with them to provide quality treatment to Members as

and when required at a reasonable rate. Such recent activity is the arrangement of a free

eye check up camp for the members.

2.0. He welcomed new members and all new members introduced themselves. Following

members joined as annual members.

2.1 Rajesh Agnani- Ex. Civil engineer Dubai. Now builder, Son is in Dubai.

2.2 Mahesh Malaviya- Transport business, Son & daughter in NJ USA, Wife Lion

Club Member.

2.3 Pushpaben Bhatt- One son is working in LIC; one son is in Canada, one daughter

is in Vadodara.

2.4 Thakkar Harshad Jamnadas – Medical stores, Son in Virginia USA.

3.0 Further General Secretary conducted the meeting.

3.1 He invited our Treasurer Shri Khopkar to present his paper to convey special

message prepared by him for the members. (Copy attached).

He emphasized how NRIPA is acting like one family, becomes helpful to its

members, to provide company in case of loneliness, emergency help in case of

sickness, providing logistic for Gaman – Agaman of members when they proceed

abroad and return etc. Some of the members confirmed also how NRIPA members

rushed as soon as they got the message and help was provided before any body

else would have come. He wished that all should join their hands with each other

and help others to help your self.

He also emphasized to start local area wise members’ weekly meeting to create

strong family bondage among members.

3.2 Our Vice president Shri Paryani reminded once again to all members to avail the

free eye check up arrangement made with Eye Specialist Doctor and inform their

names to our other vice president Shri Pinakin Vaidya, for co-ordination with the

doctor in a batch of four members.

3.3 Then General Secretary read out the proceeding of last AGM, copy of which was

distributed to all members. He proposed to members to approve the same which

all members unanimously supported and approved.

3.4. The General Secretary presented the Annual Report of NRIPA’s various Activities of the

year 2009-10.

He Highlighted important work done and achievements, like: Election of Executive Body,

conducting regular EC meetings, Monthly Meeting, Getting associated membership of

GOPIO (Global Oganisation of Persons of Indian Origin, USA), Publishing News Letter,

Health Care Service to Members etc.

All members whole heartedly expressed their satisfaction for the work done by the

Association.

3.5 Treasurer Shri Khopkar presented the Audited Statement of Income & Expenditure and

Balance Sheet for the Financial year 2009-10. He also provided various clarifications to

the figures appearing in the A/c reflecting various activities of the association. Accounts

for the financial year 2008 –2009 are submitted to and assessed by the Charity commissioner and also Income Tax Return is filed with the authority.

However once again all members were informed in advance to inform him any

clarification they would like to have in the meeting; no such query was received by him.

How ever once again he offered to members if they wish any clarification required.

He highlighted the good growth in the annual and life membership achieved

reflecting the image created by the association in the society, and the Surplus

fund created in the year under reference.

After above proceeding it was concluded that the function of AGM is over.

3.6 The Annual day Celebration was kicked off by Shree S. N. Makhijani, Sr. Member by cutting the cake brought by Mr. & Mrs. Jatin Shah on the occasion of birth day of their son and Mrs. Geeta Shah and every body from the house joined to sing a Happy Birth day

song for NRIPA. It was a joyous moment of the event.

The Annual Day Celebration, “एक शाम न्रिपा के नाम“ was started by Mr. Pinakin

Vaidya who presented a Gazal and ended by Mr. J. M. Mehta who presented jokes and

funny articles.

Many members participated to their best in the celebration to make it a memorable event

in the history for the NRIPA. The attractive part of the celebration was presented by Mrs.

Dropti and Mr. Thakordas Bhagia for about 20 minutes. The other members, Mr. Diliprai

Nagar, Mr. and Mrs. Jagdish Vadher, Mr. Vijay Khopkar, Mr. Lakhi Paryani, Mrs. Meena

Paryani, Mrs. Shobha and Mr. Vinod Sanghani, Mr. B. D. Patel, Mr. Dhiraj O. Kotecha,

Mr. Brahmakhatri Daulat R. and Mr. Jayantilal Vora showed their talent by presenting

various entertainment items.

All enjoyed the function to their hearts.

Members who presented their own Creations are given in

Enclosed Attachment.

3.7 Vote of Thanks was given by Vice President Shri Pinakin Vaidya.

3.8 Meeting ended with Dinner.

The print media - Divya Bhaskar Gujarati daily published the information of this function and the electronic media - Gujarat Telelink Pvt. Ltd. - TV9 Gujarati and VNM telecasted the recording of the function on their channels next day.

Enclosed: Attachment. Page-16.

2.5 EC Meeting Dt. 20-8-2010.

Minutes of meeting of Executive Committee held at 18.00 hrs. on Friday, August 20, 2010 at the premises of State Bank of India, Warasia Branch , Warasia, S K Colony, Near RTO, Baroda.

Following EC members attended the meeting.

1. Sr. Vice President - Mr. Pravin D. Vaidya

2. Vice President - Mr. Issar G. Totlani

3. Vice President - Mr. Pinakin M. Vaidya

4. Vice President - Mr. Paryani Lakhi N.

5. General Secretary - Mr. Goswami Amritgiri J.

6. Treasurer – Mr. Vijay Khopkar

7. EC Member - Mrs. Geeta Jatin Shah

8. EC Member - Mr. Naik Kantilal K.

9. Special Invitee – Mr. Jatin Shah

The Following agenda was transacted.

1. The progress/implementation of work decided in the last EC meeting held on Sunday,

July 11, 2010 was reviewed.

2. Following EC Members informed their inability to attend the meeting due to unavoidable circumstances and accordingly their leave of absence was granted.

i. President – Dr. Om Juneja

ii. Joint Secretary – Mr. Manaharbhai Shah

iii. Joint Secretary – Mr. Maganbhai Mistry

iv. Joint Treasurer – Mr. Rameshchandra D. Chavda

vi. EC Member - Mrs. Leela Ramnathan

vii. EC Member - Mrs. Rashmika K. Naik

viii. Former President - Mr. Madhusudanbhai B. Mehta

ix. Editor – Mr. Umakant Shah

All members raised concerns over absence for a long time of few EC Members. Mr. Pravinbhai Vaidya and Mr. Amritgiri Goswami were asked to look into the matter and contact the concerned members for necessary follow up.

3. The offers to sponsor monthly meeting from the following were discussed.

A. Vandana Travels

B. ICICI Bank

C. Sharekhan

The offer received from Sharekhan was accepted and Mr. Lakhi Paryani and Mr. Amritgiri Goswami will coordinate with them for further action.

Kalavati Hospital has invited to arrange for the next monthly meeting. Mr. Paryani will coordinate with them for necessary arrangement.

4. Mr. Amritgiri Goswami presented financial status for the website project. The revenue generated by way of advertisements as on date is Rs. 63000/- which has crossed the break even point. The efforts to transform our website as a revenue generating tool were noted by the members with appreciation.

The break up is as under.

i. Gandevikar Jewelers 15000/-

ii. HSBC Bank 15000/-

iii. Radhe Dental Clinic 8000/-

iv. ING Direct 8000/-

v. Dr. Kuntal Soni 2000/-

vi. Metro Hospital 15000/-

————–

63000/-

The amount from ING Direct has been received through PayPal account of M/S Celestia

Solutions and they have credited 180 US $ which will be received by us in Indian Rupees

after deducting applicable service charges during the transaction.

5. Mr. Umakant Shah, Editor will do the needful to register our NEWSLETTER with

the competent authority.

6. Mr. Paryani will follow up with Dr. Pradeep Pandya, Medical Superintend,

Premdas Jalaram Hospital for further course of action.

7. Mr. Pinakin Vaidya informed about ongoing Free Eye Checkup camp with

Dr. Nihar Trivedi, Eye Surgeon and he will present final report in the next monthly

meeting.

8. Members may be requested in the next monthly meeting to explore various options to

acquire office space for the NRIPA.

9. All EC members are requested to implement the decision taken in past EC Meeting to

oraganise area wise friendly group meetings.

10. Mr. Vijay Khopkar informed about facilities available at Rasulabad for a one day

excursion.

11. The management of SBI received the EC Members body of NRIPA with warm

welcome and honored our Sr. Vice President Mr. Pravin Vaidya with a bouquet.

They briefly presented their few important Mutual Fund schemes and SBI Life

Insurance Plan in an impressive manner. Our members participated actively the

presentation by raising some questions and seeking more clarifications on few

important points.

Their assistant Mr. Mukesh Meena voluntarily offered free service to help and redress

our difficulties if any in various schemes launched by the SBI even by visiting the

residences of our members on phone call.

12. Mr. Amritgiri Goswami expressed vote of thanks to the management of SBI and to

Mr. Kamalakar, Branch Manager to invite NRIPA for the EC Meeting and for

their hospitality.

3.0 Article sent by members.

American Permanent Residence Card (called green card) Procedure in brief

Mr. Subhash P. Modi has prepared a brief write up about procedure they followed during last year for obtaining a Green Card. His son in USA, applied (in June 2009) for the green card for his mother Mrs. Renuka Subhash Modi residing at Baroda, India.

They will be getting it shortly. Hence this is applicable for specific case. One should study the web sites given below in details before using any information given here in.

(a) Dept of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services.

http://www.uscis.com

Petitioner to download form I-130 and apply with fee of US$355/00 and enclosing required certificates such as own passport, evidence of relationship with beneficiary etc. They approve with a letter I-797.

(b) U.S. Department of State. National Visa Center (called NVC)

http://www.ImmigrantVisas.state.gov

Petitioner to download form I-130 and apply with fee of US$355/00 and enclosing required certificates such as own passport, evidence of relationship with beneficiary etc. They approve with a letter I-797.

(b) U.S. Department of State.

National Visa Center (called NVC)

http://www.ImmigrantVisas.state.gov

http://travel.state.gov/visa/visa_4354.html

1. Beneficiary receives a letter in India with an application form in India. Beneficiary can appoint Petitioner as Agent as recommended in letter.

2. Petitioner receives approval for acting as agent.

Petitioner to down load Form DS-230 parts I & II and send to beneficiary To fill it up.

3. Petitioner to get form I-864 EZ, affidavit of support by paying US $70/00.

Petitioner to submit both the forms duly filled up, with US $ 400/00 processing fee

and copies of required certificates etc. like passport, birth certificates of petitioner and

may be of beneficiary also, local and passport office (in our case located at

Ahmedabad) clearance certificates, 2 copies of 2″*2″ size photos. Petitioner has also to

submit, along with I-864, certificates regarding capability to support as evidence as

required.

4. The U.S. Department of State uses the facts provided on form DS-230 primarily to

determine classification and eligibility for a U.S. immigrant visa. If you are issued an

immigrant visa and are subsequently admitted to the United States as an immigrant, the

Department of Homeland Security will use the information on this form to issue you a

Permanent Resident Card, and, if you so indicate, the Social Security Administration

will use the information to issue you a social security number and card.

5. On approval, petitioner receives letter P4 for beneficiary’s visa interview date in India,

with an Instruction packet.

(C) American Consulate in India (in our case located at Mumbai).

http://www.usembassy.gov/

http://mumbai.usconsulate.gov/immigrant_visas.html

C-1. Beneficiary also gets a letter from Am. Consulate as Visa Interview Call date letter with Instruction Package.

C-2. Main instructions are regarding medical test ((at Surat or Ahmedabad costing around Rs. 5000/00) details and reporting with originals of many certificates to VSF office (in our case located at Ahmedabad) who collect courier fee (about Rs , 700/00) verify/check and retain originals of all certificates for sending to Am. Consulate.

C-3. Am. Consulate conducts interview and stamps visa with 6 months validity.

(d) Dept of Homeland Security,

U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services.

At landing airport, stamp arrival date and write on visa page a reference number.

Permanent Residence card is received in about 2 to 3 months.

(e) U.S. Social Security Administration

After reaching final destination in USA, local/nearest office accepts application for social security number. It is received by beneficiary within about 2 weeks from submitting application.

4.0 PROGRESS IN NRIPA HEALTHCARE PROGRAM

Personal Visit to Premdas Jalaram Hospital, S. K. Colony, Warasia

Furtherance to establishing homely relationships with leading hospitals and various medical professionals for the benefit of our members, Mr. Lakhi Paryani, Vice President had a primary talk with the Premdas Jalaram Hospital on the 29^th May, 2010, and as a result, they invited us for further discussion on the 23^rd June, 2010 to include their hospital in our panel.

Accordingly NRIPA team comprising of Mr. Pravin Vaidya, Mr. Issar Totlani, Mr. Lakhi Paryani, Mr. Amritgiri Goswami and Mr. Ramesh Chavda visited Premdas Jalaram Hospital and shared views with Mr. Mr. Manohar L. Purswani, Managing Trustee and Dr. Pradeep Pandya, Medical Superintendent.

We appraised them our aims and objectives and our purpose to establish friendly relationships with leading hospitals and medico professionals. They informed us about facilities available in their hospital, modern equipments, and rates for the treatment etc. As per their version, they have one state of the art auto ventilator in their hospital with unique feature and only this hospital is equipped with such type of ventilator in Vadodara.

Many new types of equipments are in pipeline to equip the hospital with modern treatment facilities. They are likely to start Cath-Lab for Angiography & Angioplasty in the near future.

They offered to identify a nodal officer in their hospital to take care of our members whenever they approach them for treatment.

Madam Kalpana Nagpal, Administrator showed us the hospital and various facilities available there.

Premdas Jalaram Hospital is a Multi-Specialty Tertiary Care 75 bedded hospital managed by a Charitable Trust hospital.

Following facilities are available in their Hospital:

1. Fully Equipped 08 bedded ICCU with Ventilators (3 invasive & 4 Non-invasive)

2. 4 Operation Theaters & Trauma Center

3. Heamodialysis machines - They have 5 dialysis machines and about 375

4. Dialyses are conducted per month.

5. Digital X-Ray, USG / Colour Doppler.

6. Urology Endourology & Lithotripsy / Neurology.

9. Orthopedic Department (surgeries of Knee & Hip Replacement)

10. Laboratory with modern Equipments, Physiotherapy Unit

11. TMT

12. Dental Department

13. Spiral C.T Scan

They have one industrial generator to take care in power shut down.

They honestly assured us that would arrange free medical camp for E. C. G. of our members coupled with ecoghraphy wherever necessary and in the near future that they will intimate their program accordingly.

They assured us that they will provide us the rates for various medical check ups and medical

Treatments item wise in a couple of days.

5.0 NEWS from USA.

Mrs. Hina Trivedi - residing in Chicago is our life member.

Federation of Indian Associations Chicago has Honorably recognized Hina Trivedi in

2010 with the Distinguished community Service excellence award, for her outstanding

contribution to the Asian American Community and selfless service in promoting

charitable causes in the Indian American Community.

August 13th 2010, Chicago USA, From FIA.

6.0 KHUSHIYA - HI- KHSHIYA

Shree J. M. Mehta has been blessed for becoming a grandfather as his daughter in law delivered a healthy baby boy on the 8th June, 2010.

7.0 Editorial

7.1 Appeal.

All members are requested to share their hidden talents, hobbies by publishing by their own small articles, poems, jokes; experiences while in India and abroad etc. in the News letter and make the News letter interesting to read, full of information and humors also.

Please request your children abroad to visit our web site regularly and send News & views for publishing in the News letter.

Let us make every month timely efforts to make ours a Model News Letter, which can create a good image of our Association in the society. All are requested to co-operate.

7.2. SUGGESTIONS BOX

Members are requested to give freely their suggestions to the Editor, How the working of NRIPA can be improved, made more interesting & enjoyable, How members would like to participate in all the activities of the association, What Members can do for the Association and not what the Association should do for members, which can be displayed here for the information of all and discuss in the next meeting for implementation.

7.3. WELCOME to NRI children coming to India.

All members are requested to inform the EC in advance about their children coming to India and bring them in the meeting to welcome them and share their views about NRIPA and get feedback for better caring of their parents.

7.4. HEALTH TIPS

All members are requested to share with Members their Experience how they keep their health Fit and Fine, their daily routine, food habits etc.

7.5. KHUSHIYA-HI-KHUSHIYA

All Members are requested to forward their Family’s Happy Moments to share with Members.

7.6. Caution

Kindly note that Any Error or Omission in the News Letter is only inadvertent and not by any intention and is highly regretted. Please inform the editor at the earliest such errors and omissions for rectification.

8.0 INVITATION TO ALL NRI CHILDREN’S PARENTS.

All NRI children’s parents, who are not Members of NRIPA, are also invited to attend our meeting as a guest to get Introduction of the Association.

Please contact our:

President-in-charge: Shri Pravin Vaidya M - 94 263 34 688, or Secretary:

Shri Amritgiri Goswami M - 98 256 72 240, or

Treasurer: Shri Vijay Khopkar M - 98 986 63 795.

Attachment to the NRIPA MOM AGM Dt. 21-7-2010. Continued from Page-10.

Members who presented their own creations.

Mr. & Mrs. Jagdish Vadher, M-98 252 34 170.

(1) Friendship is a network that need

No Activation,

No Recharge,

No Validity,

No Roaming,

No Signal Problems,

Just do not switch off your Heart.

(2) Birth is the ‘Start of Life’

Beauty is the ‘Art of Life’

Love is the ‘Part of Life’,

Death is the ‘Truth of Life’,

But Friend is the ‘Heart of the Life’.

(4) Stars have 5 ends,

Squares have 4 ends,

Triangles have 3 ends,

Lines have 2 ends,

Life has 1 end,

But I hope our Friendship has no end.

(5) Gujarati. - The matter is under construction.