Dubai: UAE Amchigele Samaj Ushers in Navaratri with Grand Durga Puja
Report: Anjana Kamath/Shodhan
Pics: Mohan Shenoy
Dubai, Oct 24: As every year, UAE Amchigele Samaj ushered in Navaratri with splendid festivities, by organizing Durga Puja recently. All members of the community got together at the Karama Center Auditorium and prayed for the betterment of the community in particular and the society in general.
The beautifully decorated mantap captivated everyone’s attention. The event began with the symbolic lighting of the “Divli” by the ladies from the community followed by Chanting of the Lalitha Sahasranama, Vishnu Sahasranama and the Mahishasura Mardini Stotra. The ladies were extended an auspicious welcome with the offering of Haldi, Kumkum and flowers. A temple-like ambience was created for the occasion.
Various Sevas like the Kumkumarchane, Deeparadhane, Suhasini Puja, Anna Dana Seva, Sarva Alankara Puja and Sarva Seva were performed with great devotion. The divine evening was taken to another level by the melodious Bhajans. Every one took to the melody and sang along irrespective of their age. The enthusiastic crowd danced around the “Divli” towards the end of the Bhajan singing. The puja ended with ‘Maha Mangalarti’ and distribution of prasadam. After seeking blessings from the Almighty, evening came to an end with tasty Amchi Cuisine served for dinner.
The Puja was well organized by the committee members of the UAE Amchigele Samaj who were ably supported by the volunteers from the community and other organizations. The president of the Samaj, Rajiv Kamat and vice-president Shailesh Shenoy, thanked the Samaj members for participation in full strength.
Announcement was made for the upcoming annual day programme to be held at “The Millennium School”, Al Ghusais on November 30.
The participants of the Durga Puja experienced a divine evening and went home with a blessed feeling. Many were taken back down their memory lanes to the good old days they used to have back home during singing of the Bhajans. The evening saw a 400 odd crowd celebrating Navaratri together in its true spirit.
Amchigele Samaj, an active community organization since 2004 is a strong association of GSB to bring all samaj bandhavas in UAE under one umbrella for social, cultural and religious needs of the community. Over a period of time, the samaj bandhavas in various walks of life have strengthened this organization by their support and participation in all functions.
Amchigele Samaj conducts a number of events throughout the year to enable their members to assemble at one place and to know each other. The members of UAE Amchigele Samaj have come up in life due to dedicated and hard work. Most of them have faced hardships in their young age. Their community have given high importance to education for children with the awareness that good jobs can be secured by our samaj bandhavas only with proper education. Their project known as "Ekalavya" is taking concrete shape and under this project, UAE Amchigele Samaj is assisting needy students in India financially on certain terms and conditions. To identify eligible candidates, they have co-ordinated with various GSB community organizations, GSB Temples etc. Though their financial assistance may not meet the full educational expense of the student, they are confident that it will reduce the burden on the parents to a large extent.