Welcome to our blog here for the monthly Florida-based Khaas Baat newspaper as well as Khaasbaat.com Web site. Please do e-mail us your suggestions, ideas for your favorite newspaper in Florida.
Thanks.
Nitish S. Rele
Editor/Publisher
Khaas Baat monthly newspaper (A Publication for Indian Americans in Florida)
Dear readers:
Miami’s Rupees finest saree and accessories boutique will be exhibiting from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15, at Taste of India, 1241 E. Fowler Ave. in Tampa. Parking is free. For information, call Rupees at (305) 576-4368 or e-mail rupeesinc@aol.com
Regards,
NITISH S. RELE
EDITOR/PUBLISHER
WWW.KHAASBAAT.COM
813-758-1786
Below are some of the communities holding India Republic Day celebrations in the Sunshine State:
TAMPA: The Federation of India Associations (FIA) of Tampa Bay will hold its Republic Day event from 11 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 22, at India Cultural Center, 5511 Lynn Road, Tampa. On the daylong agenda is flag-hoisting (around 2:30); cultural program; fancy dress, rangoli, cooking and sports competitions; booths showcasing Indian states, Indian arts, crafts, clothes and jewelry; and food on sale. For more information, call Madhavi Sekharam at (813) 792-2646 or e-mail madhavisekharam@gmail.com, Dr. Swarna Lokesh at (727) 934-1564 or e-mail swarnamba12@gmail.com or visit www.fia-tampabay.com
ORLANDO: The Indian American Chamber of Commerce will hold an India Republic Day Meet and Event from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 26, at the Florida Hotel and Conference Center (at the Florida Mall). The event is free for members; non-members pay $25. For more information, call Tino Patel at (407) 579-5050 or Beena Parikh at (321) 217-8605; RSVP at info@iaccorlando.com or visit www.iaccorlando.com
SOUTH FLORIDA: The Indian Religious and Cultural Center (IRCC) will hold its Republic Day and Lohri events from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 29, at Miramar Regional Park, 16801 Miramar Parkway, Miramar. To register for a food table, call Poonam Wadhwa at (954) 345-3412 or Mona Harpalani at (954) 306-0609. Registration fee is $35. For more information, e-mail board@irccflorida.com or visit http://www.irccflorida.com/
JACKSONVILLE: The Indian Cultural Society of Jacksonville will celebrate India Day from 4.30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 4, at Atlantic Coast High School (near 9A and Baymeadows Road), Jacksonville. Highlights include a fancy dress competition, musical bingo, various dance and cultural performances, and food. To participate or for more information, e-mail info@jaxics.org, president@jaxics.org or visit http://www.jaxics.org/
GAINESVILLE: The youth group of the India Cultural & Education Center in Gainesville will celebrate India’s Republic Day on Saturday, Jan. 28, at the center, 1115 S.W. 13th St. Indian food and snacks will be sold before the cultural program by the children of Gainesville community. For information, call (352) 379-2911 or visit www.icec-florida.org/
TALLAHASSEE: To commemorate Republic Day, India Association of Tallahassee (IATLH) will be hosting a Sit-Down & Draw Contest for all members on Saturday, Jan. 28, between 1 and 2 p.m. in Meeting Rooms A and B at the Leroy Collins Leon County Public Library, 200 W. Park Ave., Tallahassee. Thereafter, IATLH will observe Republic Day at 2 p.m. Also, a General Body Meeting will be held at 3 p.m. in the same venue. For more information, visit www.iatlh.org
Regards,
NITISH S. RELE
EDITOR/PUBLISHER
WWW.KHAASBAAT.COM
813-758-1786
Dear readers:
The Indian Physicians of South Florida (IPOF) will hold a medical exhibition and lectures on Jan. 14 in Plantation. The 6 p.m. till 11 p.m. event is free to all current active IPOF members. It will be at India House Banquet Hall, 1711 N. University Drive, Plantation. For information, call Dr. Asha Gupta at (954) 234-5674, Dr. Meenu Gupta at (954) 560-9846, e-mail ipofus@yahoo.com or visit www.ipof.org
Regards,
NITISH S. RELE
EDITOR/PUBLISHER
WWW.KHAASBAAT.COM
813-758-1786
Dear readers:
There will be a Discourse on the Bhagwat Katha by Pandit Rajin Balgobind Jan. 14-20. It is the second annual community event put together by several organizations in Tampa Bay area. The eventwill be held at the India Cultural Center, 5511 Lynn Road, Tampa. Bhajans will be from 7 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., followed by discourse, then dinner at 9. For more information, call (813) 962-4172 or (727) 798-4258 or (727) 460-2460.
Regards,
NITISH S. RELE
EDITOR/PUBLISHER
WWW.KHAASBAAT.COM
813-758-1786
Dear readers:
In 2012, Makarsankrant will be celebrated by several communities in Florida. Here are a few:
SOUTH FLORIDA: The Indian Religious and Cultural Center (IRCC) will hold its Lohri event (along with Republic Day celebrations also) from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 29, at Miramar Regional Park, 16801 Miramar Parkway, Miramar. To register for a food table, call Poonam Wadhwa at (954) 345-3412 or Mona Harpalani at (954) 306-0609. Registration fee is $35. For more information, e-mail board@irccflorida.com or visit http://www.irccflorida.com/
TAMPA: The Gujarati Samaj of Tampa Bay will celebrate Uttarayan from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15, at Rowlett Park, 2548 River Hills Drive (near intersection of east River Hills Drive and Rowlett Park Road). The Samaj will sell kites and thread. Refreshment snacks and lunch will be served. Food will be provided by the Samaj. For more information, call Samaj President Chetan Shah at (727) 688-6149 or visit www.gujaratisamaj.org
Also, the Maayboli Melawa Tampa Bay (MMTB) will hold its annual Makar Sankrant program from 4 to 9 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 15, at Carrolwood Cultural Center, 4537 Lowell Road, Tampa. 13345 Casey Road, Tampa. On the agenda is a Marathi film “Bal Gandharva” followed by haldi-kunku. The event is free for members; non-members pay $15 for adults and $5 for children ages 10 to 18 years of age. For information, e-mail Sanjiv Potdar at sanjiv_yamini@hotmail.com or Anirudha Joshi at joshiaa@hotmail.com
And on Saturday, Jan. 14, Sanatan Mandir, 311 E. Palm Avenue, Tampa, will celebrate Lohri from 7 p.m. For information, call the temple at (813) 221-4482. The same day, the Hindu Temple of Florida, 5509 Lynn Road, in Tampa will celebrate Makarsankrant with Satya Narayana Pooja at 10 a.m. For information, call the mandir at (813) 962-6890. Also, Ambaji Mandir will hold a Makar Sankranti Puja at 6 p.m. the same day. Ambaji Mandir is at 10991 58th St. in Pinellas. For more information, call the mandir at (727) 388-6685, e-mail ambajitemple@gmail.com or visit www.ambajimandir.org
ORLANDO: The Gujarati Society of Central Florida’s Uttarayan will be on Sunday, Jan. 15, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Ralph V. Chisholm Regional Park, 4700 Chisholm Park Trail, in St. Cloud. Members of the society are free; non-members pay $15 per person. For more information, call Tino Patel at (407) 579-5050, e-mail info@gujaratisocietycfl.com or visit www.gujaratisocietycfl.com
Also, the Hindu Society of Central Florida, 1994 Lake Drive, Casselberry, will celebrate Makarsankrant at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 14. For more information, call Dr. Rajesh Patel at (407) 687-8576, Sreenivas Jarugula at (407) 267-7595 or visit www.hindutempleorlando.org And on Friday, Jan. 13, there will be Lohri Bonfire Celebrations, including dinner, from 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. in the community hall. Tickets are $12 per person in advance or $15 at the door. For details, call Neema Vedi at (407) 805-9198, Promod Dubey at (407) 221-5616, Sudesh Sharma at (407) 862-9920 or e-mail pkvedi@gmail.com
BARTOW/WINTER HAVEN: The Bhartiya Samaj of Central Florida will celebrate Uttarayan 2012 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 15, at Mary Holland Park, North Broadway Ave., Bartow. For more information, call samaj president Himanshu J Patadia at (863) 519-0777, vice president Subhash S. Patel at (863) 648-0294 or visit www.bscfl.com
OCALA: There will be a kids lesson and kite-flying from 3 p.m. at Pushtidham (Haveli of Florida), 14080 S.W. 20th Ave. Road, in Ocala. For information, call Bharat at (973) 460-5936 or Raj Kamdar at (352) 568-5729.
MELBOURNE/COCOA (SPACE COAST AREA): The Indian Association of the Space Coast (IASC) will celebrate Uttarayan on Sunday, Jan. 15, at F. Burton Smith Park, 7575 W. Highway 520, Cocoa. For information, visit www.iascbrevard.com
DAYTONA BEACH/ORMOND BEACH: The Indian Cultural Society of Daytona will hold Makarsankrant festivities on Sunday, Jan. 22. For time and venue, call Rita Patel at (386) 795-0008, Shailesh Patel at (386) 846-4760, e-mail ICSDaytona@gmail.com or visit www.icsdaytona.com
Regards,
NITISH S. RELE
EDITOR/PUBLISHER
WWW.KHAASBAAT.COM
813-758-1786
Dear readers:
There will be a Satsang Dec. 18 in Ocala. It will start at 3 p.m. with children’s lessons followed by Satsang at Pushtidham (Haveli of Florida), 14080 S.W. 20th Ave. Road, Ocala. For information, call (973) 460-5936 or Raj Kamdar at (352) 568-5729.
Regards,
NITISH S. RELE
EDITOR/PUBLISHER
WWW.KHAASBAAT.COM
813-758-1786
Dear readers:
The India Cultural Center (ICC) Seniors Get-to-Gather will be Wednesday, Dec. 21, at 5511 Lynn Road, Tampa, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. On the agenda is a free seminar, lunch and entertainment; no minimum age requirement. For information or ride, call John Adhia at (813) 784-1132 or Ram Jakhotia at (813) 962-4172.
Regards,
NITISH S. RELE
EDITOR/PUBLISHER
WWW.KHAASBAAT.COM
813-758-1786
Dear readers:
The monthly Indian Seniors Day will be Sunday, Dec. 11, at Ambaji Mandir of Tampa Bay, 10991 58th St., Pinellas Park, from 5 to 7 p.m. It will be followed by mahaprasad; there is no minimum age requirements. For more information, call the mandir at (727) 537-9445.
Regards,
NITISH S. RELE
EDITOR/PUBLISHER
WWW.KHAASBAAT.COM
813-758-1786
Dear readers:
On Sunday, Dec. 11, there will be a Charity Walk put together in Fort Myers. It is organized by the Hindu Temple of Southwest Florida, 12552 Plantation Road, Fort Myers. For details, call Mallika Nandur at (239) 482-0677, Anjana Bhatt at (239) 274-5584, e-mail hindutempleswfl@gmail.com or visit http://www.hindutempleswfl.com
Regards,
NITISH S. RELE
EDITOR/PUBLISHER
WWW.KHAASBAAT.COM
813-758-1786
Dear readers:
The Indian Physicians of South Florida (IPOF) will hold its annual banquet and medical exhibition on Saturday, Dec. 10. It is free to all current active IPOF members. Guests pay $35. It will be from 6 p.m. till midnight at India House Banquet Hall, 1711 N. University Drive, Plantation. For information, call Dr. Asha Gupta at (954) 234-5674, Dr. Meenu Gupta at (954) 560-9846, e-mail ipofus@yahoo.com or visit www.ipof.org
Regards,
NITISH S. RELE
EDITOR/PUBLISHER
WWW.KHAASBAAT.COM
813-758-1786
