New Horizons Seniors Program
Deshantari’s NHSP project started on 14 March, 2016 and will continue until 13 March, 2017 and the following members will be organizing the various senior activities during this time complementing Deshantari’s other regular activities:- Prabir Neogi (Chair and Core-Member)
- Atulesh Nandi (Core-Member)
- Arun Roy (Core-Member)
- Angsuman Rudra
- Manas Dan
- Anindo Maiti
Event Calendar Agenda View
2014 Durga Puja
Fri Oct 11 to Sun Oct 13, 2013
Deshantari’s main event the Durga Puja was organized at the Heron Gate Community Centre from 11 – 13 Oct, 2013. The Puja Chairperson welcomed the members with the following note:
“The countdown for the much awaited Deshantari event of the year is over. It is time for Durga Puja.
With festive alacrity we have made all the arrangements so that you have a wonderful time and enjoy a grand celebration of our culture and traditions. A large team of dedicated volunteers have been working very hard over the past couple of months in preparation for the ceremonial worship, rehearsing for the cultural programs, fund-raising and even researching on the latest culinary trends.
I know men are eagerly looking forward to their long “adda” sessions with friends over a cup of tea just as ladies have started checking out their latest sari and jewellery collection bought on their recent visits to India. Children can hardly wait for a few days of no homework but pure fun with their friends!
Without further ado, I on behalf of the Deshantari Executive Committee welcome you, your family and
friends to the 32nd Durga Puja in Ottawa. This year we have organized a variety of cultural programs
from Bengali Natak to children’s Talent show. There will be a diverse mix of garment and jewellery stalls for those of you who love to shop. A large group of volunteers have meticulously planned an exquisite selection of food and misti that you will find truly irresistible. During these three days we have also set-up a booth to collect food donations that would go towards the “Ottawa Food Bank”.
Finally I would like to thank my committee and all volunteers for their selfless dedication and hard work in making the arrangements for this year’s Durga Puja. Last but not least, a note of thanks goes to all our advertisers, sponsors and donors for their generous financial support.
I look forward to seeing you all and I am certain you will find this year’s Durga Puja as enjoyable as it
has always been! Once again, welcome to Durga Puja 2013.”
The program details and menu were as follows:
| Date | Program Details |
| Friday, Oct 11, 2013: Maha Sasthi Priests: Sushil K. Bhattacharya and Nirmal Sinha | 06:00 pm: Maha Shasthi Puja 07:00 pm: Sandhya Arati and Prasad 07:30 pm: Cultural Program (Kids Talent show) 08:30 pm: Dinner 09:30 pm: Cultural Program (Shefali and Group) 10:30 pm: Cultural Program (Classical Music) 11:45 pm: Hall Closing |
| Saturday, Oct 12, 2013: Maha Saptami & Maha Ashtami Morning Priests: Sushil K. Bhattacharya, Nirmal SinhaEvening Priests: Sushil K. Bhattacharya, Nirmal Sinha | 09:00 am: Maha Saptami & Maha Ashtami Puja 01:30 pm: Pushpanjali and Prasad 02:00 pm: Lunch06:00 pm: Sandhya Puja 07:30 pm: Sandhya Arati and Prasad 07:45 pm: Children’s Classical Dance 08:15 pm: Dinner 09:30 pm: Bengali Nathak – “Bhuter Bhobhishot” 12:45 pm: Hall Closing |
| Sunday, Oct 13, 2013: Maha Navami and Bijaya Dashami Morning Priests: Aditya Chakravarti and Ashutosh Bagchi | 10:00 am: Maha Navami Puja 12:00 pm: Dashami Puja, Bisharjon 01:30 pm: Sindur Khela 02:00 pm: Lunch 04:30 pm: Hall Closing |
The Durga Puja and Lakshmi festivities were attended by a record number of people. The Puja hall and
stall layout was completely changed this year to make room for a large number of people. The Executive
Committee received an overwhelming response and deep appreciation for a well organized event.
Members were particularly appreciative of the Bengali Nathak, the cultural program (Jalsa) on Lakshmi
Puja and the food selection and arrangements outstanding on all days. This was made possible by the
tireless work of a very large number of dedicated volunteers.
This year the committee also took initiative to collect items for the Ottawa Food Bank throughout the
festivities and also gave away boxes of Bengali books to anyone interested in reading Bengali books.
2014 Lakshmi Puja
Saturday Oct 19, 2013
Program:
| Date | Program Details |
| Saturday, 19 Oct, 2013: Lakshmi Puja Evening Priest: Nirmal Sinha | 05:00 pm: Lakshmi Puja 07:00 pm: Jalsa Program 08:15 pm: Variety Program 08:30 pm: Dinnerg |
The Durga Puja and Lakshmi Puja festivities were attended by a record number of people. The Puja hall and stall layout was completely changed this year to make room for a large number of people. The Executive Committee received an overwhelming response and deep appreciation for a well organized event.
Members were particularly appreciative of the Bengali Nathak, the cultural program (Jalsa) on Lakshmi
Puja and the food selection and arrangements outstanding on all days. This was made possible by the
tireless work of a very large number of dedicated volunteers.
This year the committee also took initiative to collect items for the Ottawa Food Bank throughout the
festivities and also gave away boxes of Bengali books to anyone interested in reading Bengali books.
Saraswati Puja
Sunday, February 09, 2014
Deshantari celebrated Saraswati Puja on Sunday February 9th at the Ron Kolbus Center. The schedule of activities was as follows:
- Puja and Pushpanjali: 10 am-11.30 am (Hathekhori will be after puja)
- Children’s drawing competition: 11.30-12:00 pm
- Children’s talent show: 12:00-12:20
- Kobitar Asor: 12:25-1:00 pm
- Lunch: 1-2 pm
Among the other cultural programs Deshantari organized a “Kobitar Asor” performed by Mabhin Ghosh
Datta from Kalavatee Dance Centre and Saumita Banerjea, an invited elocutionist from Toronto. This
event received excellent response from all sections of the Community
2014 Annual Autumn Festival & Sharad Utsav
Durga Puja
Fri Oct 3 to Sun Oct 5, 2014
2014 Annual Autumn Festival & Sharad Utsav
Lakshmi Puja
Saturday Oct 11, 2014
Financial and Legal Aspects of Estate Planning |
| How and what can you do to help surviving spouse and children? Speaker: By Dr Indu Gambhir About the Speaker: Dr Indu Gambhir is a medical practitioner. In her practice through many years of Emergency medicine and family practice and counselling, she has seen that many patients do not make essential preparations for long-term illness or death. She will talk about how all family members should prepare their surviving spouses and grown up children about vital treatment decisions and documentation for handling the family affairs by the surviving spouse and children. Refreshments: The workshop will be followed by refreshments. Who is this for? The audience for this workshop is primarily for seniors. It should also be relevant, and of equal interest, to non-seniors and even younger people. All spouses and young adults are urged to attend. R.S.V.P. by Email: Arun Roy |
Alternative/ Ayurvedic Medicine and Diet |
| Is There Any Risk in the Combined Use of Prescription Drugs and Herbal Medicine and Products? In collaboration with ICCC Seniors
About the Talk: Many of us often tend to combine the use of prescription drugs and herbal medicine. Are there any risks in this? Health Canada has conducted some scientific research studies on this. Dr H.S. Buttar will make a presentation on the available research evidence. Who is this for? For all seniors. Refreshments: The workshop will be followed by refreshments. For further information: Please contact
R.S.V.P. by Email: Arun Roy |
Speaker: Dr H.S. Buttar, a retired research scientist from Health Canada NHSP Program Information SessionThis event was part of the 2016 Deshantari Annual Picnic. |
ICCC Seniors and Deshantari of Ottawa present: Seminar: Resources Available To Seniors |
NHSP Program InformationThis session was done as part of the Deshantari Mahalaya function to increase effectiveness and broaden the reach of people. Key Feature:Workshop: Passport of Health by Dr. Indu Gambhir |
Vedanta and WellnessSpeaker: An eminent speaker from Vedanta Society of Toronto (Ram Krishna Mission) R.S.V.P. Prabir Neogi |
ICCC Seniors and Deshantari of Ottawa present: Workshop: Passport of Health And Travel Medicine |
In collaboration with ICCC Seniors, Deshantari of Ottawa present: Laughter The Best Medicine – Is It Myth or Reality? |
ICCC Seniors and Deshantari of Ottawa present: Basic First Aid And CPR Training For Seniors |
Seminar on Insurance, Retirement and Estate Planning for SeniorsDeshantari’s New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) team in collaboration with the ICCC Seniors NHSP team are excited to present this seminar as per the details below: Cost:
NOTE: If you would like to get the $5 per person discounted tickets, RSVP by 02 March, 2017 (mid-night) otherwise no RSVP is required. The discounted tickets are given on a first-come, first-served basis up to a limit of 50 tickets. As the tickets are significantly discounted no shows will be billed the full amount. RSVP:
At the venue, the tickets will be distributed by Angsuman Rudra as per the RSVPs received. Please note that reserved tickets must be picked up at the venue before the event starts at 11 am. Schedule:
This is a wonderful opportunity to meet your fellow community folks and learn about insurance, financial and estate planning. So we look forward to seeing you all. Please RSVP as soon as possible to reserve your ticket(s). Best Regards, Deshantari’s NHSP Team
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Safety, Security and Prevention of Cyber Fraud SeminarThe cost to Deshantari Members:
The cost to ICCC Members:
Program Details:
How to RSVP for this event? Please send your RSVP no later than 14 March, 2017 (mid-night) using the following weblink: https://goo.gl/forms/bhY5HzuMaGQMUIIV2 How would seniors get transportation to come to the venue? Deshantari seniors, who require transportation to and from the venue, should contact Gour Seal at 613-830-5485. How to get tickets? At the venue, the tickets will be distributed by Angsuman Rudra as per the RSVPs received via the above website. Please note that reserved tickets must be picked up before the event starts at 5 pm. As the tickets are significantly discounted no shows will be billed the full amount. Like many of our earlier events, this event is organised jointly with Indo-Canadian Community Centre (ICCC). So we look forward to seeing you all. Please RSVP as soon as possible to reserve your ticket(s). Best Regards, Deshantari’s NHSP Team |
NHSP – Computer Literacy Classes for Seniors
– A module of 4 Computer Literacy classes for Seniors, including use of laptops & smartphones, the Internet and social media
– Arranged in collaboration with ICCC
– Classes provided at the Tanglewood Community Centre, from 6.00 – 8.00 p.m. on Wednesday evenings
– The two instructors provided their services on a voluntary basis