UAE - FIRST MEET FIRST STUDENT WING WEBINAR NACHA 2ND NRI INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION AUSTRALIA - FAMILY MEET COLORADO -FIRE FIGHTERS COLORADO - PICNIC SYDNEY AUSTRAILIA FAMILY MEET MELBOURNE AUSTRALIA FAMILY MEET HAMAR PATRIKA- VOL 09 51
NY / NJ - DIWALI SEATTLE - DIWALI SEATTLE - PICNIC UK - FIRST PICNIC CALIFORNIA - INDIA DAY CANADA - INDIA DAY CANADA - PICNIC CHARLOTTE - DUSAHARA 52 HAMAR PATRIKA- VOL 09
Indian Embassy/Consulate reception California 1. May 19th 2022 California Chapter led by General Secretary Sonal Agarwal met Consul General Dr. T.V. Nagendra Prasad at the Consulate. They presented NACHA Yearly magazine – ‘Hamar Patrika’ and California Memento during their courtesy call. Pooja Mahato and NACHA advisor Papiha Nandy were also present there. 2. Aug 8th 2022 The event was organized by Association of Indo-American in the honor of Former Chief Justice of India Shri N V Ramana. Ms. Suchitra Ella of Bharat Biotech was also present on the occasion along with Consul General, SFO. Thanks to our NACHA California Chapter Executive, Women Wing Chair Pooja Mahto for joining the event to represent NACHA & Chhattisgarh. 3. April 14th 2022 NACHA General Secretary Sonal Sanghi Joined the Consul Office to meet Minister of Defence of India, Shri. Rajnath Singh ji Chicago 1. June 18th 2022 Yoga Day Chicago NACHA Executives Ganesh Kar, Deepali Saraogi, Shashi Sahu, and Tijendra Sahu participated and joined the Consul General Shri. Amit Kumar. 2. April 30th 2022 Hamar Patrika launched on April 28th 2022 by Consul General Shri Amit Kumar at Indian Embassy Chicago, USA. 3. Aug 25th 2022 NACHA President Ganesh Kar with Chicago Consul General Shri. Amit Kumar and Chicago First India Lady in Chicago Cultural Center on the IDAI Day receiption hosted by India Embassy, Chicago HAMAR PATRIKA- VOL 09 53
4. Nov 7th 2022 NACHA President Ganesh Kar welcome Consul General Shri. Somnath Ghosh at Chicago Airport 5. Nov 17th 2022 Chicago NACHA reperenstative Ganesh Kar and Deepali Saraogi meeting with new Consul General Shri. Somnath Ghosh 6. Dec 30th 2022 NACHA President Ganesh Kar invited by Chicago Consul General Shri. Somnath Ghosh at his residence for community leaders dinner reception. Houston 1. May 4th 2022 Texas Chapter Executive members met with the Consul General, Houston TX, and presented the Hamar Patrika The key points discussed were : • Introduction to NACHA, it’s current initiatives and global presence. • CGI Houston will engage NACHA in it’s events and include NACHA in the list of supporting Indian organizations in Texas region. • Discussion on how NACHA can assist in promoting chhattisgrahi products and tourism • Consulate support and plan on upcoming chhattisgarh state delegation in Nov-2022. 2. May 23rd 2022 Himanshu Thawait and Rahul Agrawal NACHA met Minister of State External Affairs & Parliamentary Affairs of India - Geetanjali Banerjee at an event hosted by Consul General, Houston TX. 54 HAMAR PATRIKA- VOL 09
Canada 1. Nov 17th 2022 NACHA Canada President Pankaj Agrawal invited by Indian Embassy Toronto for welcome event for High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar 2. March 26th 2022 Mr. Pankaj Agrawal (VP - NACHA, President - NACHA Canada) and Mr. Bunty Banwait (Treasurer - NACHA Canada) meting with Hon. Ms. Apoorva Shrivastava (Consul General, Toronto) New york 1. Jan 2022 NACHA NY / NJ President Mr. Vivek Choubey Represented Chhattisgarh NACHA NY-NJ chapter at the community Event, with Minister of State for External Affairs and Education Honorable Dr Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, Govt of India in Indian Consulate, NY Hosted by Mr. Randhir Jaiswal Sir, Consul General NY Washington DC 1. March 22nd 2022 NACHA President joined the Indian community reception in Washignton DC India House , invited by Ambassador of India to United States Shri. Taranjjt Sandhu. 2. Nov 2022 NACHA President joined the Indian community reception in Washignton DC India House , invited by Ambassador of India to United States Shri. Taranjjt Sandhu along with Chicago community leaders. HAMAR PATRIKA- VOL 09 55
Achievement Awards Chhattisgarh Pravasi Bhartiya Samman 2022 by CG Government Ganesh Kar received the Chhattisgarh Pravasi Bhartiya Samman-2022 by the Chhattisgarh Government. Golden Peacock Award NACHA was bestowed with the Golden Peacock Award for community service in India at 75 Expo 2022, and the award was presented by the US Senator Congressman Danny K. Davis, Congressman Johnathan Jackson, Oswego Mayor Tory Parlier. On behalf of NACHA, Joint Secretary Sachin Shashi Sahu, Founders Deepali Saraogi, Ganesh Kar, Vice President Tijendra Sahu were present to receive the award. Best First-Time Float award The California branch of NACHA was honored with the Best First-Time Float award for their Chhattisgarhi Jhaki entry in the India Day Parade, and the NACHA California executive Pooja Mahto accepted the award. Shakti Samman 2022 Deepali Saraogi, the founder of NACHA, was awarded the 'Shakti Samman 2022' by IBC in Raipur, Chhattisgarh on International Women's Day. international women’s day 5. NACHA received an award at the International Women’s Day. The event was organized by Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University , Raipur. 56 HAMAR PATRIKA- VOL 09
know your members NACHA Beneficiary Members (family photo) Arunabh & Ankita Anurag Tiwari & Abhilasha Upadhyay Jyoti Pola, Nagesh and Rasya Nikita, Rajesh & Myra Rashmi & Mahendra Shailendra Ambani family Sumit Parashar & Kanchan Abhijeet Rai & Shweta Singh Anurag Tiwari & Abhilasha Upadhaya Anurabh Tiwari & Ankita Jha Ankur & Garima Gupta Mahendra & Rashmi Chandrakar Jay & Niharika Nayak Neeraj & Preeti Agarawal Neeraj & Jyotsana Sahu Minal & Abhijat Mishra Sachin Singh & Shusmita Bal Nitesh Bhat & Chitra Pant Shailendra & Monica Ambani Amit & Vani Thawait Shiv Shankar & Chandrakiran Patel HAMAR PATRIKA- VOL 09 57
nacha member achievement vandana Dama I am teaching Hindi language in Singapore as a volunteer teacher from last 7 years. I believe that educating the heart is as important as educating the mind. I enjoy teaching the Hindi Language as it gives me an opportunity to develop confident learners who seek to learn and who will eventually be able to contribute to the community in return. I’m deeply honoured and humbled to receive the award of *Model volunteer Hindi teacher award 2020-2021* . My hearty thanks to my nominators as well as the Board of the School for considering my efforts and contributions worthy of the Model Teacher Award. This recognition from The Hindi Society Singapore holds a special place in my heart for bringing in a sense of reassurance that I have lived up to the ideals and values that this society has imparted to generations of students and teachers. Recently, my name has been published in one of the PSC book name COMPETITION COMMUNITY. It was one more matter of proud for me. Being raised in a kutchi family, my parents always kept me connected to the Hindi language and my husband always motivated me to contribute for Hindi language in Singapore which helped me to achieve these successes. Swastika Somaddar Gender diversity is not just the right thing to do - it’s a must. This was the driving force for me to work toward closing the gender gap in enterprise technology. I have always been passionate about championing in promoting gender diversity and inclusion in the workplace and outside. This has made me an active contributor to the fourth Pillar of Standard Chartered Bank’s new Global Functions initiative: People. The People pillar includes both Diversity and Inclusion, primarily focusing on retaining, attracting, developing, and engaging female talent, and Championing Wellbeing, a workstream that concentrates on awareness, mental health, and wellness sessions held by expert external agencies. I have always believed in sharing my knowledge and mentoring upcoming women leaders both within the organization and outside. Being involved in supporting and empowering women at all stages of their careers, gives me a sense of completeness and peace of mind and heart. This has led me to become part of the heroes list that recognized the top 100 women worldwide every year. I was listed under the ‘Future Leaders’ category in the year 2021. 58 HAMAR PATRIKA- VOL 09
nacha young stars Aden Joseph Aden Joseph graduated from high school in June of 2022. He is the son of Neel Joseph, President of NACHA California Chapter. He is pursuing his Bachelor of Science degree in User Interaction at a prestigious private college, Art Center College of design Pasad e n a , California. Vaishnavi Paliwal “The picture symbolizes a new day, a day to make a change. A new day, with new thoughts, and new ideas. It gives me hope that I can go through high school and make a change too and I am not alone in my journey.” Simran Dodani Simran Dodani d/o Ruchika Dodani won 1st place in the Governor's Cup Taekwondo tournament held on May 14th. She has also won another state level taekwondo tournament on October 16th. Aadya Agrawal Aadya Agrawal d/o Akash Agrawal (Singapore Chapter) Spreaha Das I’m very happy that I got first prize in an essay competition. The subject was “the importance of parents according to Hindu Sanskriti (Culture)”. It was in June 2022 we came to know about this competition in which everyone agreed for me to join. So, I nodded my head and set off to work. I had little idea about what was Hindu Sanskriti. So, we googled Hindu Sanskriti’s meanings, articles, and videos around it. I thereafter wrote an essay on the topic keeping those details in mind. On the last submission day at the last hour, we wiped our heads ‘’phew!’’ we exclaimed. We just recorded the perfect recording! “Ting!” and it was submitted. A few months passed. We checked the email many times. Finally! The results were out. We went straight to Sub-Junior. I GOT FIRST!!!! We celebrated. I was very excited in the end. Then we went to the prize-giving ceremony. When the judges called my name, I burst out with pride. I got on stage and received my prize. I am glad that I worked on this essay as it helped me understand how important my parents are to me and my brother. Priyanshi Verma Priyanshi Verma d/o Lokeshwar Kumar Sharma 1. Secured 1st Position in the Handwriting competition held on 28 Feb 2022 2. Participated in Character Portrayal Event - Little Explorer held on 17 Jan 2021 3. Secured 3rd Position in the Art competition held on 30 Nov 2021 4. Secured 3rd Position in the Race at Annual Sports 2021-22 5. Secured 1st Position in the 50 m Hurdle Race at Annual Sports 2022-23. HAMAR PATRIKA- VOL 09 59
oDr vktknh dk ve`r egksRlo Kalam Se 60 HAMAR PATRIKA- VOL 09
A trip to Chhattisgarh A one-day trek to Dholkal Mountain, Dantewada Dholkal Peak is a trekking destination located in the state of Chhattisgarh. The peak is located in the Dantewada district and stands at a height of 2994 feet, the trek to the peak is considered to be a moderate level and can be completed within a day, depending on the route taken. As we along with my guide and a local person who stayed near the mountain set off on my trek to the small mountain of Dholkal, I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and adventure. The trail was well-trodden, but as I ventured deeper into the forest, it began to feel like we were the only group for miles. The only sounds were the crunching of leaves underfoot and the occasional bird call. The climb was moderately difficult and challenging, but the views from the top were well worth the effort. The peak was a rocky outcropping, offering a 360-degree panorama of the surrounding landscape. I could see for miles in every direction, taking in the lush green forests. After taking in the stunning views, I set up my tripod to capture & witness the locals who come daily to the Ganesh temple at the top for their daily rituals. While going towards the peak I also witnessed patrolling team of the Indian Paramilitary forces who were deployed in this region to tackle some of the concerns. It was just another experience to witness firsthand and have a good interaction with our men in green. The trek offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape and is a popular destination for adventure seekers and HAMAR PATRIKA- VOL 09 61
nature enthusiasts. It is recommended to be well prepared for the trek, with the proper gear, and to hire a local guide to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. The good part about my trip was, I did my pre-planning through a travel enthusiast from Bastar and self-made entrepreneur Ms. Bindu, and anyone can reach her by following her Instagram handle Instagram.com/culture_devi. One can visit her handle to see the other heritage of Bastar and Dantewada district. The best time to trek to Dholkal peak is between October and June when the weather is relatively mild and the monsoon season has ended. Make sure to carry adequate water and food, as well as appropriate clothing and footwear for the trek. It is also important to obtain the necessary permits and register with the local authorities before embarking on the trek. At the peak of the summit, we can witness Dholkal Ganesh Temple. It is a Hindu temple located in Midkulnara village. The temple is dedicated to Lord Ganesha. It is believed to be over a thousand years old and is considered one of the most important Ganesha temples in the region. The temple is situated at the top of Dholkal Mountain. Archaeological experts believe that this idol is from the 11th century. My guide told me that this idol might have belonged to the Nagwansh Dynasty since Lord Ganesh carry a sign of a serpent. The Nagavanshi dynasty is a Hindu dynasty that is believed to have ruled in ancient India. According to legend, the Nagavanshi kings were descendants of the serpent god Nagas and therefore were considered to be of divine origin. The dynasty is said to have ruled in the region of present-day Chhattisgarh and Odisha in eastern India. The Nagavanshi kings are also associated with the worship of Lord Shiva and are said to have built many temples dedicated to the God. However, there is little historical evidence to support the existence of this dynasty. The Nagavanshi dynasty is mainly found in folklore and legends. After staying at the top for 5 hours, we packed up camp and began our descent. The hike down was easier than the climb up, but I took my time, savoring the beauty of the forest and the sense of accomplishment I felt from having completed my trek. As I reached the trailhead, I was welcomed by the locals who arranged my evening food with the local delicacy of Dantewada authentic Chhattisgarhi food in leaves. 62 HAMAR PATRIKA- VOL 09
NACHA SPONSORS We would like to express our deepest gratitude for your generous sponsorship of the NACHA initiatives. Your support has played an instrumental role in making NACHA successful, and we truly appreciate your commitment to our cause. Your contribution has helped us expand our organization, and we are grateful for the opportunity to showcase our work to a wider audience. Thank you for your continued support and for being a valuable member of our community. We look forward to working with you in the future. HAMAR PATRIKA- VOL 09 63
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Ed itoria l team Nirmal Kumar (Creative Lead / magazine Chair) Sonal Agrawal (General Secretary) Gouravjeet Ubhi (9th edition Editor) Vasu Pandey (Texas) Minal Mishra (Colorado) Jharna (Nordic) Vishwas Thoke (Canada) Aditya V (Illinois) Payal Swarnkar (Michigan) Abir Roy (Florida) Rajeev Jain (Illinois) HAMAR PATRIKA- VOL 09 65
NACHA (A Global Chhattisgarh NRI Community) Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.cgnacha.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cgnacha