IMAGH Organizes Seniors Picnic

HOUSTON: Club 65 members, an umbrella organization of Indian Muslims of Greater Houston, got together at Discovery Green, to bid adieu to 2013, and have some fun and build camaraderie.
Discovery Green is a twelve acre park and activity center in the heart of downtown Houston. Its oak trees are more than 100 years old and were transplanted to save them when the skyscrapers, that one sees dotting the downtown skyline were being built. It boasts of two restaurants, a library, a butterfly exhibit, a dog park, a lake for paddle-boating in summer and ice rink in winter. It also has an amphitheater, beautiful gardens, and rich bric-a-brac.

The weather gods were very kind to the Senior Citizens, as during the cold wave that hit the city, the Sun shone brightly, and the temperature hovered around 70 degrees throughout the day.
More than fifty Club 65 members and volunteers, participated in a guided tour of the park, had a catered picnic lunch and snacks, and organized karaoke singing, as well as, storytelling and life stories. Some sat on park benches, while some lazed on sheets spread on the grass; young and old, men and women, also sauntered-off in small groups to discover the hidden corners, all by themselves.

The highlight of the day was a hilarious impromptu ‘presentation’ by Saleh Shipchandler who was visiting from India and came to the picnic, with his wife Tahara, to stretch their legs and meet people their age. He talked about how hard it was to learn to pronounce urdu words correctly, when one has grown up speaking Gujarati. He also talked about how Seniors groups in India are becoming popular and organizing many activities for exercising mind, body, and spirituality.
The ever popular Tyeb Shipchandler (Kaka) sang a couple of ghazals, and Mustansir Dohadwala , Khaled Razvi and others entertained with jokes, hilarious anecdotes and songs.
Afzal Shekhani, who is a new member of IMAGH, came with his family and commented that he wished he had become a member sooner. His two young daughters, Sarah and Adrianne, sang beautiful pop songs. This was also the first time that new members like Deepak and Geeta Bhatt, attended a Club 65 event , and left after making many new friends. They also promised to invite Club 65 members to the next gathering of Gujarati Sarita Sahitya discussion. Yusuf and Farida Zhumkhawala have recently relocated to Houston from California, and were absolutely touched by the Texas warmth of Club 65 members. They both promised to become active volunteers.
Farida Jinnah, Hatim Kanorwala, Ismail and Tasneem Ziauddin, Ali and Sakina Aumir, Idris and Zenab Husain, and Roja Pakal were the volunteers, who made sure that a great time was had by all.
The picnic was largely underwritten by Abeezar Tyebji (Chairman, Board of Advisors) and Karim Maknojia, Vice President, IMAGH.

To become a member or to volunteer, contact Latafath at 713-269-6171 or at Latafath@imagh.org or visit www.imagh.org