IMAGH Launches Club 65: A Club for Senior Citizens

From Left : Gordon Quan, Khairunisa Hashmani, Latafath Hussain, Dr. Beverly Gor and Rogene Calvert  Photos: Bijay Dixit

From Left : Gordon Quan, Khairunisa Hashmani, Latafath Hussain, Dr. Beverly Gor and Rogene Calvert Photos: Bijay Dixit

HOUSTON: On April 7, Indian Muslims Association of Greater Houston, launched its much awaited initiative, Club 65, in the presence of Consul General of India P. Harish and his wife, Nandita Parvathaneni. Gordon Quan, a great friend of the South Asian Community, Dr. Beverly Gor of MD Anderson Cancer Hospital, and Candidate for City Council, Rogene Calvert (both are also co-founders of Hope Clinic), Khairunisa Hashmani, Chairperson, Aga Khan Social Welfare Board, Lalit Chinoy, President, Indian Senior Citizens Association, PV Patel, President ICC, Rajeev Bhavsar, Immediate Past President of ICC, Board of Directors, Board of Advisors, Executive Committee of IMAGH, their family and friends, and over 175 guests representing the entire South Asian Community.

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The ten founding members, with the first one, Shakuntla Malhotra (holding her certificate)

In his welcome speech, Latafath Hussain, President of IMAGH, said that the Steering Committee, first met on Nov.10, 2012 to discuss the framework of Club 65.  Six months and hundreds of volunteer hours later, it is very heartening to see so many distinguished community leaders and members gathered here today to celebrate the unveiling of this newest initiative of IMAGH. He also credited Lutfi Hassan for advising IMAGH to take up the cause for Seniors.

Over 175 people attended the event held at the Chateau Crystal banquet facility.

Over 175 people attended the event held at the Chateau Crystal banquet facility.

The Steering Committee led by Fateh Ali Chatur has determined that in our universe there are two kinds of Seniors: the Active seniors and the Passive Seniors. Active Seniors are those who came to Houston 20,30, 40 years ago, had a career, started a family, but now their kids have grown and gone, and are typically ‘empty nesters.’ Passive Seniors came to Houston, after retirement from India, live with their children and grandchildren. They typically do not drive, may have language and culture barriers, and are stuck in an empty home during the day. Club 65 intends to harness the energy and mobility of Active Seniors to pair them up with the Passive Seniors, and organize joint activities, like picnics, walk in the mall, movies, card games, gardening, lectures on health, Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, Nutrition, etc.

Club 65 will also seek young volunteers to ‘adopt‘ Seniors, ala Big Brothers Big Sisters but in reverse.  The program is that both can learn so much from each other. The ABCD generation growing up here needs to learn about our culture, traditions, languages, customs, while the Seniors need to see the new country through the eyes of these young people. They can also learn about computers, internet, while teaching cooking, sewing, and other such stuff.

Uma Mantravadi sang beautiful old songs during the entertainment.

Uma Mantravadi sang beautiful old
songs during the entertainment.

It was thus very elating that there were more than 20 young adults who signed up to volunteer.

Fakhruddin Sabir is the Chairman of Club 65 and he outlined specific ideas and activities of Club 65. He also promised that the Steering Committee will soon elect new office bearers, and will actively solicit businesses, foundations and charities to underwrite the many activities that have been planned.

Abeezar Tyebji, Chairman of Board of Advisors, unveiled conceptual pictures of the Community Center, that is envisaged in the very near future. He declared that IMAGH will build upon the tremendous goodwill demonstrated in abundance today, to come up with their own center, where the young and old can spend time together. It will be self-sustaining and have a library, Current Indian Newspapers, Magazines, card tables, table tennis, health club, as well as, basketball court, and an area for baseball, cricket, badminton, etc.

Consul General of India P. Harish presented awards to the founding members.

Consul General of India P. Harish presented awards to the founding members.

However, this will just be the beginning and eventually they will build an entire Seniors Village with residential cottages.

Club 65 awarded Founding Memberships to Eleven Individuals who either actively participated in the Steering Committee or encouraged the founding of the club with their advice, and blessings. The first Membership was awarded to Shakuntla Malhotra, mother of Jawahar Malhotra. Kanwal Bhalla, Col. Raj Bhalla, Moni Thomas, Koshy Thomas, Dr. Khalid Razvi, Tyeb Shipchandler, Syed Asif Ali, Shaukat Ali Upadhya, Farida Jinnah and Paru McGuire, were the other recipients. Lalit Chinoy, President of Indian Senior Citizens Club was given an Honorary Membership to Club 65, for his advice and support in forming this Club.

The event concluded with beautiful rendition of old songs sung by the very talented Uma Mantravadi,  an  Immigration Attorney, and an Advisor to IMAGH.

The event was underwritten by the CPA firm of Arjunani and Hasan. Angeli Arjunani is an Advisor to IMAGH and a big supporter of Seniors causes.

For Membership and Volunteer Opportunities, please contact, Latafath Hussain at 713-269-6171 or at latafath@imagh.org.