Gujarati Samaj Navaratri Mahotsav: Tremendous Response Despite Harvey
Back row (from left): Girish Naik, Prakash Desai, Devandra Patel, Bharat Parikh, Mahendra Patel, Rakesh Shah, Yogesh Patel, Kishor Patel, and Akshay Shah. Front row (from left): Geeta Patel, Meena Patel, Amee Patel, Dhruvit Shah, and Vasant Patel.
By Girish Naik
HOUSTON: Looking back in time, many of the Gujarati Samaj of Houston committee members could not believe that after Hurricane Harvey hit Houston, we would have such a tremendous response to Navaratri Mahotsav from September 21-30, 2017.
Just when everything was planned out, venues were selected for the weekday garba at Arabian Shrine Center and the weekend garba at NRG Center, Hurricane Harvey hit Houston, flooding homes, displacing many people to be displaced from their homes, and losing whatever they had.
Navaratri preparations turned into relief operations, helping friends and families that were affected by the hurricane. NRG Center, our weekend Navaratri venue, became a shelter for victims of Harvey.
Gujarati Samaj of Houston Executive Committee and Trustees present check to Gitesh Desai, President of Sewa International Houston Chapter, and Vivek Sharda, Young Volunteer of Sewa International.
Gujarati Samaj Committee met and decided to that that Navaratri Mahotsav should be dedicated to Harvey victims with 20% of ticket sales and all aarti collection should go towards Harvey relief funds.
Friday/Saturday Garba venue were switched to Marriott Westchase Ballroom just a few days before Navaratri. Muzica band was on the way from India. There was still one more hurdle—lots of rain in Mumbai, causing flights to be delayed or cancelled. Our artist traveled overnight to Ahmedabad and got on the flight to Houston, landing one day late. With the help of Krishna Sounds, we were able hire “Darshak Thacker Live Band” with local artist Hemant Dave/Shaivangi Gala as singers, Atif bhai on keyboard and Darshak Thacker on drums to start the Navaratri celebrations. Krishna Sounds also provided high-quality sound for all ten days.
Enthusiastic crowds danced throughout the night at the garba.
The response from our Houston community was very strong. Young and older generations dressed in colorful traditional dresses, danced enthusiastically to the music. It was an amazing sight to see the different variety and styles of Garba dances and the amount of energy this young generation bring to the floor.
On the eighth day of Navaratri, which is considered the most significant day in the ten-day celebration, we had a tremendous response to the Harvey donation appeal. We had 118 aartis to the Goddess Durga and all the aarti money will be donated to the Harvey Relief Fund.
On September 30, Gitesh Desai, President of Sewa International Houston Chapter, and young volunteer Vivek Sharda were invited. Amee Patel, President of Gujarati Samaj of Houston presented a check in amount of $6,500 to Sewa International. Patel said, “It was a very fullfilling moment for us to do something for Harvey victims. At difficult times, we need to stand by our community and do as much as we can. We have seen Sewa International working day and night for Harvey victims. We are very pleased that we as Gujarati Samaj of Houston could also make a difference. It is the dedication and sincere hard work of all the executive committee, trustees and volunteers that makes a program successful and I am glad to have such a wonderful team.”