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)335%*ANUARY HERITAGE CULTURE MANNERS HARD WORK FAMILY VALUESPOLITENESS

HOSPITALITY HONESTY TEAM WORK COMMITMENT RESPONSIBILITYACHIEVEMENT OPEN LEADERSHIP GOALS

POSITIVITY ORGANIZATIONPERSEVERANCE CUROSITY HIGH STANDARDS COMPASSION

MINDNESSSELF CONTROL HEALTH & HYGIENE

CONSERVATION RESPECT DETERMINATION INDEPENDENCE

EDUCATION LPS of USA OUR ROOTS RUN DEEP

LEUVA CONNECTION

Leuva Patidar Samaj of USA 9005 Overlook Blvd, Brentwood, TN 37027 Phone 1-800-980-6559 LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT Fax# 615-346-5577

Board of Directors

President Kirti Patidar (904) 571 9241 Jai Shri Krishna! Dear Members: 1st Vice President Samir Patel (832) 567 8484 There’s something special about a New Year. 2nd Vice President Cultures throughout time have celebrated the Sunil Patel (615) 479 0581 end of one year and the beginning of the next. Secretary It’s always thought of as a time of renewal. Out Harshad Patel (562) 716 6615 Joint Secretary with the old, in with the new! Shailesh Patel (918) 361 5955 The New Year is traditionally a time for making Treasurer Deepak Patel (912) 655 8842 resolutions, promises of being better, doing Joint Treasurer more and following through on commitments. Mahendra Patel (956) 572 6101 It’s also a hopeful time to look ahead and plan Publication Editorial Officer for the future, and that means understanding Manish Desai (713) 410 5109 Publication Distributor what the future looks like, something that is often difficult to do. Jayesh Lallu (870) 250 1718 As your current President of the LPS of USA for the past 6 months I have been working very hard with Publication Revenue Jimmy Patel (704) 224 3625 my board following through the commitments and goals that were set as I took the rein of Presidency Youth Officer West as well as looking ahead and planning a better future for our association which our youth will preserve Hitesh Patel (580) 618 6500 and maintain long term. Youth East Dipesh Patel (941) 456 2888 Over the past 6 months I am proud to say we as a board have the following commitments that have been Ex Officio either accomplished or work in progress for the 2012 – 2013 terms: Hasu D Patel (281) 236 6200 Member Relations Officer • Successful Youth Camping Event & Women’s Conference in Gatlinburg, Tennessee September 2012 Satish Hari (901) 210 8222 Dipak Patel (352) 266 2011 • Successful Cultural Program & Volleyball Tournament in December 2012 Gaam Ambassador Relations • LPS Regional’s in 2012 – Los Angeles (CA), Bakersfield (CA), Detroit (MI), Ft. Wayne (IN), Buffalo (NY), Dipak Patel (323) 868 8199 Ashok Patel (318) 402 8609 Trinidad, and London England IT Officer - Database • Unanimous approval of the Women’s Ambassador Program to be launched at convention under the Kiran Patel (512) 587 4000 IT Officer - Website direction of Nayana “Nancy” Patel Suresh Patel (904) 501 7739 • New Calendars created by Publications team Vendor Relations Officer Milan Jariwala (817) 300 3535 • Website revamp and redesign in progress for launch under the direction of Shailesh Patel (OK) Rajan Patel (214) 493 8144 Womens Officer: East • Database cleanup in progress for membership resolution of issues of not receiving magazines and other Lina Patel (513) 257 6700 LPS of USA mailers. Women Office: West Nancy Patel (404) 886 9179 • Selling of the house in Tennessee and converting to a virtual office to be more cost effective but most Send editorial submissions to [email protected] importantly to improve productivity across many levels and serve the membership with a higher level of satisfaction. LEUVA • Design and Completion of Directory - work in progress under the direction of Hasubhai Patel (TX) CONNECTION • Successful Youth Ski Trip in Cincinnati (OH) - under the direction of Lina Patel Visit us at • Launch of a mentor program for both the Youth and Women – under the direction of Bharat “Bruce” w w w . leuvapatidarsamaj.com Patel & Dallas TX Team Leuva Connection is published by Garavi • Launch of Raffle Project to help benefit LPS and LPS of USA Scholarship Foundation under the direction Publications (USA) Inc on behalf of the Leuva Patidar Samaj of USA. of Babubhai Patel (MS) Designed & Printed in the United King- • Upcoming Regional’s & Meetings for 2013 (Please see tentative schedule) dom by Garavi Gujarat Press, a division of the Asian Media & Marketing Group • A remarkable National Convention in Orlando, Florida July 11th thru 13th, 2013 chaired by MP Rama (FL), Suresh Patel (FL), Sunil Patel (TN), & Sameer Patel (TX) Garavi Gujarat Publications (USA) Inc. As you can see as your President with the help of the board we have a very active agenda still ahead of 2020 Beaver Ruin Road, Norcross, Atlanta us. We all are proud to volunteer our time and efforts to help for the betterment of our association. Please GA 30071-3710 remember to register and attend our upcoming National Convention in Orlando, FL in July 2013 (full Tel: ++ 1 770 263 7728 detailed package is on its way soon), as this will be a spectacular event where we will all come together Fax: ++1 770 263 8617 to rejuvenate our grass roots, experience our bondage and network with each other to help preserve our email: [email protected] heritage and culture for our future generations. www.amg.biz www.gg2.net I humbly thank all of you for allowing me to make this vital change for our association and hope you join me in to complete the remaining commitments with your support. Any questions or suggestions, please © Garavi Gujarat Publications (USA) Inc. 2012 do not hesitate to contact me any time. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced by any means without written per- Thank you and God bless! mission of the copyright owners. Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of Respectfully, this publication, the publishers cannot accept re- Kirit Patidar (Gaam - Afva) sponsibility for any errors or omissions. It should be noted that any opinions and recommendations Jacksonville, FL expressed in this magazine are the views of the President writers themselves and not necessarily those of LPS of USA 2012-13 the Leuva Patidar Samaj or Garavi Gujarat Publica- tions (USA) Inc.

January 2013 3 LEUVA Board of Directors LEUVA CONNECTION ‘LPS of USA Board of Directors 2012-2013’

NAMES GAAM PHONE EMAIL STATE

ANIL PATEL TUNDI (251) 593-1233 [email protected] ALABAMA PRAKASH PATEL RUVA (251) 367-5923 [email protected] ALABAMA MAHESH PATEL MOTIFALOD (901) 484-3824 [email protected] ARKANSAS MUKESH PATEL BAGUMBRA (501) 410-0778 [email protected] ARKANSAS SURESH ‘SP’ PATEL TIMBA (831) 320-0286 [email protected] CALIFORNIA DILIP PATEL TIMBA (661) 706-3372 [email protected] CALIFORNIA MITESH JIVAN AFVA (707) 972-1754 [email protected] CALIFORNIA ROSHAN PATEL KHARVASA (415) 342-0128 [email protected] CALIFORNIA RAMAN PATEL MORI (650) 520-0021 [email protected] CALIFORNIA HARGOVIN DESAI DIGAS (213) 324-1541 [email protected] CALIFORNIA DALSUKH PATEL SAROLI (310) 918-2033 [email protected] CALIFORNIA HASU PATEL ASTAN (213) 503-0025 [email protected] CALIFORNIA KAMAL HIRA DUNGAR (323) 770-3539 [email protected] CALIFORNIA BHARAT PATEL (562) 235-9477 [email protected] CALIFORNIA SHAILESH PATEL KANTALI (209) 483-6719 [email protected] CALIFORNIA SHIRISH PATEL DUNGAR (916) 296-7243 [email protected] CALIFORNIA RAKESH PATEL SHAMPURA (386) 566-0227 [email protected] FLORIDA M.P.RAMA SARONA-PERA (864) 201-4894 [email protected] FLORIDA PANKAJ PATEL AFVA (386) 453-5512 [email protected] FLORIDA DHARMESH PATEL PINSAD (678) 410-8438 [email protected] GEORGIA KALPESH ‘KAL’ PATEL KANTALI (912) 604-3617 [email protected] GEORGIA SANJAY PATEL JAMANIA (229) 378-7212 [email protected] GEORGIA RAMAN PATEL BAGUMRA (314) 803-5312 [email protected] ILLIONOIS DIPAK PATEL KUMBHARIYA (260) 341-0297 [email protected] INDIANA NITESH PATEL (260) 223-5175 [email protected] INDIANA R.K.PATEL BARDOLI (859) 619-8177 [email protected] KENTUCKY KETAN PATEL NAVSARI (859) 327-7078 [email protected] KENTUCKY ANIL PATEL BAJIPURA (606) 425-6007 [email protected] KENTUCKY PRAVIN PATEL PUNA (985) 215-1254 [email protected] LOUISIANA NANU PATEL PUNA (504) 352-3154 [email protected] LOUISIANA BHUPEN PATEL PUNA (337) 303-2057 [email protected] LOUISIANA DIPAK PATEL KUMBHARIYA (734) 693-5209 [email protected] MICHIGAN MUKESH PATEL BABEN (662) 401-7393 [email protected] MISSISSIPPI DAVENDRA PATEL BAJIPURA (601) 456-6485 [email protected] MISSISSIPPI BABUBHAI PATEL BABEN (601) 209-2228 [email protected] MISSISSIPPI SANJAY PATEL SAHU (618) 530-4274 [email protected] MISSOURI JAYESH J PATEL SAROLI (585) 297-7121 [email protected] NEW YORK DIPAK PATEL PUNA (919) 478-4759 [email protected] NORTH CAROLINA BHAVESH PATEL DUNGAR (513)-349-3913 [email protected] OHIO BIPIN DAS KUMBHARIA (419)-227-2221 [email protected] OHIO PRIYESH PATEL JAMANIA (405) 627-7339 [email protected] OKLAHOMA NIKHIL B PATEL KUCHED (503) 559-9509 [email protected] OREGAN DILIP R PATEL VIHAN (541) 731-9645 [email protected] OREGAN RILESH MOHAN PARDI -ARAK (803) 571-0288 [email protected] SOUTH CAROLINA MAYUR PATEL SAROLI (843) 455-6302 [email protected] SOUTH CAROLINA RAVINDRA PATEL SAMPURA (864) 356-7032 [email protected] SOUTH CAROLINA JAYESH ‘Jay’ PATEL CHIKHLI (615) 414-3009 [email protected] TENNESSEE SANJAY PATEL KHARVASA (615) 504-9006 [email protected] TENNESSEE NAYAN PATEL PUNA (931) 334-6268 [email protected] TENNESSEE RAJENDRA ‘RON’ PATEL MOTA (931) 580-1419 [email protected] TENNESSEE JITU PATEL CHIKHLI (615) 491-2070 [email protected] TENNESSEE MINESH PATEL KOTHAMDI (901) 240-1782 [email protected] TENNESSEE HEETESH PATEL AMBHETI (615) 403-6716 [email protected] TENNESSEE RAMESH PATEL DASTAN (615) 969-9990 [email protected] TENNESSEE KETAN PATEL CHIKHLI (940) 736-5583 [email protected] TEXAS BHARAT PATEL AMBHETI (214) 207-7621 [email protected] TEXAS SANJAY PATEL BHAMAIYA (214) 923-3448 [email protected] TEXAS RAJENDRA ‘RAJU’ PATEL VIHAN (281) 772-5953 [email protected] TEXAS RAJENDRA M PATEL VARAD (210) 860-5103 [email protected] TEXAS SURESH PATEL KHOJ (210) 710-8336 [email protected] TEXAS PIYUSH PATEL PINSAD (832) 489-8884 [email protected] TEXAS VIKAS DESAI DIGAS (979) 257-9625 [email protected] TEXAS JAGDISH PATEL SAMALFALIA (817) 798-5773 [email protected] TEXAS KIRAN PATEL SURAT (214) 566-1510 [email protected] TEXAS ISHWAR PATEL BABLA (972) 467-6538 [email protected] TEXAS ARVIND G PATEL SADODRA (503) 708-5404 [email protected] WASHINGTON

4 January 2013 LEUVA LEUVA Letter from Publisher’s Desk CONNECTION Letter from the desk of the Publications Team Dear Members, look like? For our cover this month, we gave The year is young - the perfect oppor- free reign to our imagination to visualize tunity to begin an armchair exploration of The break in the calendar that divides one our principles and core values where the sky new subjects. Here’s hoping you start with year from another is like a binary switch: really is the limit. This issue is a call to take us. Along with the entire team at Leuva Con- On December 31, we look back and reflect a breath and remember what it is that we’re nection, we’d like to take this opportunity to on the preceding 365 days; then after the doing, and why? You won’t find any New wish each and every one of you a very Happy glittery ball drops in Times Square, we start Year’s resolutions, but you will encounter New Year, filled with love, light, peace, joy looking forward. It is as it ever was. many different angles on the idea of first and good health for 2013! The beginning of the calendar year is principles: the ideas and positions on which With Gratitude, at its heart a fantasy of newness and clean everything else is built. We don’t often have slates-of the chance to do things differently time to consider all the underlying stuff that Manish Desai (Editor) and with more attention to purpose. In real- gives our work shape, character, and mean- Houston, TX / Gaam - Digas ity, it’s also one of the most challenging times ing, and that time won’t ever appear on its E: [email protected] of year for many of us, as we return from own. But we can choose it. Even in the crazy Nayana ‘Nancy’ Patel (Jt. Editor) holidays and fly straight into the plate-glass spells-and maybe especially then, when Mt. Pleasant, TX / Gaam - Soyani window of an overfull schedule. As we talk we’re making so many important decisions. E: [email protected] with our friends and colleagues about plans, Our grass roots belongs to the same the word ‘hectic’ keeps coming up, and I Jayesh Lallu (Publication Distribution) fields & traditions, and this issue’s contents think we should find that a little worrisome. Little Rock, AR / Gaam – Ambheti reflect that fact. We’ll also be launching the A hectic fever is what you get when you have Email: [email protected] first official community project-a collabora- consumption. It looks a lot like excitement, Jay ‘Jimmy’ Patel (Publication Revenue) tive effort with some of our favorite thinkers but ultimately, you’re consumed. Statesville, NC / Gaam – Nogama that will, we hope, change our community Email: [email protected] Who doesn’t wonder what the future will practices in useful, principled ways. What’s up with LPS? LPS officers and board members along with the help of OUR MISSION local volunteers are dedicating their time at their own The mission of the LPS of USA a non-profit organization is to expense towards successful networking opportunities foster an environment that enhances unity and provides a for our current and future generation as well as building a platform for generations to preserve its reli gion, culture, and Vibrant Community! heritage thru fellowship, education, and communication.

WHY BECOME A LIFETIME MEMBER? HAVE QUESTIONS?? • Keeping our Culture Alive… EMAIL US, “THE MEMBER DRIVE TEAM” • Free Labels for Invitation mailing($250 Value) Satish “Steve” Hari - [email protected] (901)210-8222 • Free Nike Shirt & Pin ($50 Value) Dipak Patel (FL) - [email protected] • Up to 25% discount at all LPS events (352)266-2011 • Preferred seating at all LPS events Ramesh “RK” Patel - [email protected] • Scholarship Program… (859)619-8177 • Youth Involvement and Networking through Rilesh Patel (SC) - [email protected] events and Web… (803)571-0288 • One time Transfer to a child after reaching Jayesh Patel (NY) - [email protected] 60 years of age… (585)297-7121 • Access to our Upcoming Youth Database online… Dipak Patel (MI) - [email protected] • And Sense of belonging (Priceless…) (734)693-5209 Gary Prema - [email protected] (615)500-4279

January 2013 5 LEUVA Memory LEUVA CONNECTION In memory of our loved ones

No Name Gaam Date of Demise City/State

1 RATANBEN RANCHHODBHAI PATEL BILLIMORA 9/8/2012 HOUSTON, TX

2 AMBABEN HANSJIBHAI PATEL KHARVASA 9/17/2012 HOUSTON, TX

3 NARTTOMBHAI GOPALBHAI DESAI DIGAS 9/30/2012 HOUSTON, TX

4 SHANTABEN ICHHUBHAI PATEL PUNA 10/2/2012 HOUSTON, TX

5 JIGAR MAGANBHAI PATEL VADHVANIA 10/6/2012 PORT ST. LUICE, FL

6 BALVANTRAI G. PATEL VELANPUR 10/21/2012 HOUSTON, TX

7 SHANTABEN BHAGUBHAI PATEL SEVANI 11/23/2012 HOUSTON, TX

8 GOVINDBHAI UKABHAI PATEL ASTA 12/24/2012 CHARLOTTE, NC

9 SUKANYABEN ISHVARBHAI PATEL NAGOD 12/28/2012 MONROEVILLE, AL

10 KALYANJIBHAI RANCHHODJI PATEL BAGUMARA 1/3/2013 ATLANTA, GA

11 BHIKIBEN KALYANJIBHAI PATEL BAGUMARA 1/3/2013 ATLANTA, GA

12 PRAFULCHANDRA S. PATEL KHOJ PARDI 1/22/2013 STROUDSBURG, PA

EXPERIENCE KAILASH – MANSAROVAR YATRA Journey Continues in 2013…

Please join us in celebrating life at the “roof of the world” where the solitude, clean air, and spiritually is at its peak. We will truly appreciate the life of peace and meditation in the Himalayas! Visit our website for more details: www.kailash.himalayanglacier.com

Lina Patel Cell: 513-257-6700 Email: [email protected]

6 January 2013 LEUVA LEUVA LPS Regional CONNECTION LPS of USA takes a Roadtrip with Regional Meetings

January 2013 7 LEUVA India LEUVA CONNECTION Two Families Celebrating Under One Roof...

December 13-15, 2012 were one of the great days for our community that is for Leuva Patidar Samaj of USA (LPS) and Surat Jilla Leuva Patidar Samaj (SJLPS). It was like there were two culture meetings together, with an intend to celebrate important cultural roots that have the power to interest Youth, bring them to a positive environment through cultural activities and presentations. This event was organized by the Surat Jilla Leuva Patidar Samaj in the Sanskrutik Sanskar Shetra in Bardoli. The concept to bring these two samaj under one roof really started last year. This year SJLPS took one step further organizing 3 days event of cultural & variety programs along with the volleyball tourna- ment. In an anticipation and excitement for this event, many local members came to watch this event. All the members, as well as the participants, had a great time and they cheered at every cultural programs and cheered every volleyball teams that played on the court. Many board members from LPS of USA including the current president Kirit Patidar and the presidents from the different organizations from the Surat Jilla participate in this event, enjoying themselves and min- gling with everyone. The president of SJLPS Mr. Uttam Patel, Vice President Kirit Patel and his committee kick-off the event with a wel- come note. This event was sponsored by the Surat Jilla Leuva Patidar Samaj. They had done a great job on the food as well as the entertainment. On the last note the leaders of the SJLPS also thanked the LPS of USA and the local members for their support and corporation. All the members and participants were talking about arranging this kind of event more often. A very special thanks to the SJLPS for organizing this event!

8 January 2013 LEUVA LEUVA India CONNECTION

January 2013 9

LEUVA LEUVA Community Roundup CONNECTION A Community that celebrates together....

January 2013 11

LEUVA LEUVA San AntonioFOR ASSOCIConventionATION Highlights USE ONLY CONNECTION Date Rec’d APP ID: Pmt Processed Date Amount $ Approved by Member: LIFE / ANNUAL / 2013 Membership Application Date Approved BI-ANNUAL Use Application For New / Life / Renewal Of Membership. Each Married Child Must Fill Out Separate Form Fees: $60 1 year Mail Checks Payable To : LPS OF USA $100 2 years 9005 Overlook Blvd $1001 Life Time Membership Brentwood, TN 37027 Payment Information Applicant Information Spouse Information Payment Option: Name: Name: First Middle Last First Middle Last Address: Cash Check Cell #: Amount Authorized: $ City State Zip Email: Cell #: Father’s Name: Email: First Middle Last Credit Card Father’s Father’s Name: Middle Name: AE Disc Visa MC Other First Middle Last Father’s Village: Middle Name: Name On CC: Mother’s Village: Name: First Middle Last Mother’s Mother’s Credit Card #: Name: Father’s First Middle Last Mother’s Middle Name: Father’s Mother’s Village: Middle Name: CCV No: EXP: Mother’s Village:

ŚĞĐŬŚĞƌĞŝĨLJŽƵǁĂŶƚ>W^ŽĨh^ƚŽĂƵƚŽŵĂƟĐĂůůLJƌĞŶĞǁLJŽƵƌŵĞŵďĞƌƐŚŝƉĚƵĞƐĞĂĐŚLJĞĂƌƵƐŝŶŐƚŚĞĂďŽǀĞĐƌĞĚŝƚĐĂƌĚŝŶĨŽƌŵĂƟŽŶ͘ Children Information

Unmarried Children Date of Birth First Name Only Month/Day/Year Email 1. / / 2. / / 3. / / 4. / /

Married Children First Name Only 1. 2. 3.

Disclaimer - Need Your Help!

LPS of USA “LPS” reserves the right to use all information provided on this form internally and strictly to further LPS member services and products. Further, LPS shares the information you provide in THIS SECTION ONLY with third party affiliates and vendors; hereafter called “Vendors”. You may use the “Opt Out” check box which will ensure that this information is NOT shared with any vendors. However, WE NEED YOUR HELP! LPS obtains revenues from Vendors who buy this information to market their products to you. This revenue is used toward LPS goals such as Youth Activities. Therefore, we ask you not to Opt Out and instead provide information you provide other vendors in the course of your businesses for such marketing purposes. Thank You For Your Consideration. Name Of Business: Profession: Contact Name: Email:

Address: Work Phone:

Fax: City State Zip

PLEASE LEAVE BLANK Opt Out January 2013 13 LEUVA Opinion & Recommendation LEUVA CONNECTION Let’s give marriage the importance it deserves In every Sence, Financial, emotional, Mental...

arriage is a terribly important part of life. It’s a partnership you Mform, a companion you choose, hopefully for the rest of your life. Someone who helps you, who supports you and vice versa. The way we view marriage and the way we approach it determines how our life could end up being. In this article, I want to largely address youngsters, because most of you who are older are already married and for better or worse have already made your choices. Especially in our Leuva society we spend so much of our emotions, thoughts, time and money (that which we have, and that which we borrow), towards marriage. But do we actually spend all this time, effort, money and emotion towards mar- riage? I think not. In fact we concentrate all of these resources not on our marriage, but on our wedding day. “Boh Mota Lagan,” is probably one of the most common phrases that we common- on the prospective groom’s/bride’s family, ly use in our Leuva society. There’s so much TIME home, education, income, bank balance, of emotion, thought, focus, all concentrated After we’ve spent the bulk of our time wor- appearance and complexion. But all of on the ‘event’: “How will I look on that one rying about others’ perceptions, we spend these things are purely superficial. Why day?” “How will society perceive me and tons of time deciding what to wear. We do don’t we utilize the same time and effort my chosen partner?” “What will they say intense research on honeymoon destina- in understanding the human being we are about the wedding arrangements?” “What tions. We spend time discussing arrange- about to (hopefully) spend the rest of our will they say about the invitation card?” ments, menus, guest lists. All of these are life with? “What will they say about the food?” “What great cause for arguments. All this time is will they say about the clothes?” And these being spent in preparation for ‘the day.’ But Should you agree to spend the rest of list of thoughts, emotions & focus never how much time do we spend on the most your life with someone just because he/she ends. In reality they keeps on hammering critical decision — selecting the correct carries an attractive label such as Lawyer in our head constantly... life partner? Who is the girl I’m marrying? or MBBS? Is one marrying the person or the label? Shared interests, like-mindedness, Now, this ‘they’ we refer to are our Who is the boy I’m planning to spend the companionship, shared sensibility, sense of friends, our relatives and other people in rest of my life with? Don’t we want to know humor — shouldn’t all this matter? society whom we are acquainted with, and them as human beings? Understand his or her nature, value system? Are we on the whom we hope to invite. And most of our MONEY energy goes towards making this one day same wavelength? Is there compatibility? a success. Often, even our choice of spouse Does he or she have a sense of humor? Is We spend a lot of money on the wedding is in some way linked with the driving need this the person with whom I want to spend day. The rich spend beyond measure — each to make the day perfect. Haven’t all of us the rest of my life? Instead of taking ample competing with the other in extravagance. heard these statements: “Mari pori doctor time to make this very crucial decision, The middle class or working class pours all hathe lagna karvani.” “Mari pori engineer very often, marriages are fixed after just its earnings and savings into the wedding. hate lagna karvani.” “Mari pori na lagna one meeting. “Chalo vaat paki thai gayi… If you have the money, by all means decide america/nri na poyra hathe karvana.” We Mohdhu meethu karo.” how you want to spend it. But for those imagine that people admire such choices, We spend so much time in checking who are not wealthy, for whom every rupee and their admiration makes us happy. We earned is precious, for whom a daughter’s allow our choice of spouse to very often be wedding means pouring everything you dictated by how people will perceive us. But have earned, or saved, it means breaking the hard truth is that ‘they’ are not going to fixed deposits, selling assets and taking spend the rest of their life with the groom loans. Instead of spending all that money or the bride. on the wedding day, why not decide to take Sometimes we simply choose the the amount set aside for the girl’s wedding ‘khandaan,’ the family or the aura sur- and give it to her to use to kick-start her rounding the family, and not the individual new life with her spouse? Instead of that himself or herself. “My son is marrying so lavish function, why not just have a simple and so’s daughter.” “My daughter is marry- wedding and give the girl the money in- ing such and such’s son.” We tend to focus, stead? It will be so useful for her life? not on the groom or bride but on the label Our wedding traditions demands that attached to him or her. the bride’s family pays for the hotel room costs for the groom’s families & for their Now let’s examine a few other impor- invited guests. This tradition place a huge tant aspects of marriage. burden on the bride and her family. This

14 January 2013 LEUVA LEUVA Opinion & Recommendation CONNECTION Have fun. Enjoy the day. Make merry. But tional, mental. Let’s give it our time, emo- with simplicity. tions and energies to plan those years that Youngsters, tell your parents, “We lie ahead. Therefore, the key is the person don’t want a big function. Let me use you have chosen as your life partner. That the money for something important is the only element you should be thinking that helps my life. Let me use the money of and no other. And please take your time to invest in building the foundation for over that decision. Understand, probe, a happy married life.” check, go deep. The better you do this, the happier life is likely to be. Take the step of EMOTIONS marrying only when you are fully satisfied about the character and temperament of All our emotions are trained on ‘that day.’ the person you are marrying. What will happen on that day? What will Think about it - can a relationship, built people think and say? How happy will I be on the foundation of money and greed, ever that day? Will the day be memorable? But be meaningful or beautiful? Should we not instead, should we not be thinking of how invest in our child’s education instead of we will feel for the next 40 or 50 years of saving up for a big expensive wedding? tradition often drove the type of wedding married life? Let’s not barter one day of Make them so accomplished and inde- that the couple could have because it is happiness for a lifetime of unhappiness. pendent that they are capable of crafting based on the money that the bride’s family Our emotions need to be invested not in their own future, and becomes the master have? To my knowledge & understanding, that one day, but in a lifetime. of their own happiness. Let them marry a all other Indian families & society (besides Think about life ahead, not just that one person who respects them. Let them marry our Leuva Patidar), they all pay their own day. Let’s give marriage the importance it a person who they believe is worthy of him/ hotel room cost at the wedding. The bride’s deserves — in every sense, financial, emo- family is in charge of negotiating a rate her. Whom they are happy to spend the rest with a local hotel for out of town guests as of their life with. well as the groom’s guests and reserving Please note that this article is not writ- rooms that are located together but each ten to hurt anyone’s feelings, but it’s just a guest is responsible for the costs of their recommendation to our society to think off; own hotel room. And I agree that it does to set an example moving forward within make sense… The big question is, “Why our society and of course for our growing can’t we just get along and adopt it..??” new generations!! I believe simple weddings are a great God Bless you all! idea. Call as many people as you desire, Any comments or suggestions are serve them a soft drink and say thank you welcome. E: [email protected] for coming and for blessing the newlyweds.

January 2013 15

LEUVA LEUVA Heritage Vs Culture CONNECTION If we don’t help our children understand our culture and heritages sterotypes who will?

e have come to learn through practical experience that our Wdaily needs in life are social, and our conduct is also related to this. I would like to regard culture as the behavior of human nature. It is the upbringing of the social unit that man is which speaks in the language of the culture of that person. We generally say that so-and-so is a cultured person. Though at that time we may not be actually defining ‘culture’ in an academic manner, we have in our mind some idea as to what culture is. We associate good- ness, politeness, humility, servicefulness, and a capacity to understand and feel the circumstances and the position of other people when we conceive of the structure or character of culture.

The charms and graciousness of the Indian way of life endures due to the phi- losophy of life which we have inherited from the past. Our religion is not a thing to heritage, it belongs to you. Classifying a of science and technology has modified be put on and put off like Sunday clothes. person solely by heritage is what we call our aim and ambitions. A new orientation It permeates the whole fabric of our Indian stereotyping. It unfairly assigns a person has been given to our life style. The ideal roots. What-ever we do, however great or a culture on his or her heritage alone. If now chiefly adored is success or the ability small, is colored with religious sentiments, you are not teaching your child positive which produces success. The Quit of suc- all are regarded as pious acts. Training things about his or her heritage, where do cess has dazzled our eyes and some of us and education, marriage and procreation, you think your child is going to learn them? have started looking down up to the old tra- birth and death are all tinged with religious You can depend on the outside world to tell ditions and culture. The results, however, fervor. Culture is what tells you how to him everything bad, but the good stuff just have not been very happy. We are losing our live your life. It defines what you expect to doesn’t make the headlines. As I learned in roots. Blind imitation of modern life style eat for breakfast, how you address to your a malpractice course recently, “Good things will just make us get lost in blind alley. seniors, how close to stand to your friends, have to be planned. Bad things happen all how to sit in a chair. Culture involves val- However, we must not also resist the by themselves.” ues. Culture tells you whether your family winds of change and remain clinging to the or your job is more important, who will be As parents, the best we can hope to past values and principles of life. We must a good choice for a marriage partner. You do is learn as much as possible about our not close our doors to the influences from learn culture by living it. Depending on the child’s culture. This is not our children’s the outside world. If those influences are values of your culture, you may lose your job; we parents have to do it. We have to good, they will strengthen the basic concepts job because of your dyed purple hair or you discover those values and show our child of our culture and so enrich it as to make it may be considered a valued eccentric who why those ideas existed in that time and truly representative of the life of our people. brings a fresh whiff of creativity. You can place. Learning about culture is hard, What is to be avoided is a blind imitation of change your culture (with effort) by living especially when you don’t have somebody cultures and values. I believe that society or in another culture. The older you are, the from that culture to help you out. Some community become great not because they harder it is to live successfully in a new cul- of the things parents can do are find adult have achieved progress in material things but ture just because you have so many years friends, read novels and stories from the because they follow noble traditions and base of cultural education to unlearn. culture, attend services of the religion of their life on what has been called by Tagore the culture. Family reunions, religious ‘Dharma’, or a moral way of life. We should On the other hand, Heritage is what meetings and our Indian festivals are where remain true to the real genius of our land & belongs to you by virtue of birth. Heritage your children will learn what people think roots, the quality & habit of mind which has includes your genetic background, physi- and how they act. pre¬served us through the ages. cal features and ethnic origin; it includes the history of the people who share those It is true that our attitude towards life Thank you for reading and wish you features with you. Heritage consists only is now rapidly becoming materialistic. The all be connected to our Indian heritage & of facts, but one’s culture may place more glamour of our today’s modern way of life culture…. or less value on those facts. Whether or with its glorification of material prosperity Any comments or suggestions are not you know or care anything about your and its wonderful achievements in the field, welcome. E: [email protected]

January 2013 17 LPS of USA HOTEL INSURANCE PROGRAM LEUVA LEUVA People CONNECTION Like waiting for India to Win the World Cup…

ick Tock Tick Tock…. Is game time While in a casual relationship it is easy same criteria. So before reflecting look important? We’re talking about the for women to lose two to three years before at YOUR reflection. Are you someone you Tmarriage game for those at a point they realize that it’s not going to work. For would choose? You have the power and time in life of looking for marriage. Our com- a woman; losing this precious time can to change anything about yourself early or munity emphasizes getting married while mean hardships for long term goals (Kids, late in life. You can change your look, your in mid to late 20’s. Is it right? Are we with career, family…) Also, it makes them bitter education, your wealth, your status, your the times? Can parents help achieve this and less compromising when truly better family values; but it’s hard work and you goal? Can our samaj help? Let’s start by prospects come along. Some of these better have to ignore negative comments or better isolating some pros and cons of actually prospects might even be from dare I say yet learn to laugh along and let the results getting married while in 20’s. parental references. of your hard work speak for themselves. Pros: More choices, best for family plan- • For men, it’s not as much of problem until Keep the goal in mind and nothing else. ning, relieves parents, acceptance in com- they reach 30’s; however, by 30 most the top If your lazy stop procrastinating, if your munity, long term life and career goals can prospects are GONE. forgetful take notes, if you’re stupid stop be jointly planned, Not locked in career/ Time is each person’s biggest enemy watching Jersey Shore. You know he gave education path, can live to see more genera- because it tends to make you less flexible himself a concussion… On second thought tions of descendants. and more independent. It also, limits that was probably smart; cause he was go- Cons: Might hinder education goals (es- your choices the more time you wait. ing to get whooped. pecially girls), lose independence, can’t It’s so easy to see a decade pass by while For the samaj, we need to address the be more focused on career plans, possible you work on your education or career. short comings of how our youth meet and relocation, creates stress. The belief I have Many casual relationships don’t end well interact. We need to address the reasons come to uphold is that it IS better to make because none of the players; especially youth believe that gateway drugs (drinking, the commitment early. Although, not all women, have taken a deep look into them- tobacco) are the only way to loosen up and people need to have the same life paths. selves to determine what is most impor- meet others. You know we as parents may Yet, all must agree that there is no harm in tant in their search for a life partner. This be teaching this to kids as more and more, being better prepared to make this decision interspection skill is the primary thing alcohol dominates social gatherings. As a for one self. So in the spirit of education we as parents and a samaj need to teach samaj, we can give our youth and parents we march. our children. Any casual relationship the social/educational skills that they need Changing the beliefs/traditions of soci- can yield a definite decision within three in order to become a part of the group with- ety in the short-term is impossible and so our weeks IF you know yourself. out giving up sobriety. The cold truth is that focus needs to be on educating both Leuva Today’s young adults act as if they don’t our kids feel peer pressure often and listen men and women looking towards marriage. want to hear advise from parents or elders; to friends more than their parents. This Ideally and more importantly, we need to edu- but, secretly they do try to follow the guid- more often than not leads “untrained” and cate individuals before they are at this stage. ance. The key to making them more recep- less confident kids to make wrong decisions In today’s e-marriage, e-dating, casual dating, tive towards suggestion is to comfort and and go against their parents advise. As a sa- web-chatting arena it is easy to lose precious not confront. Instead of constantly yelling maj, we must teach parents how to talk with time in casual relationships. While you spend or scolding; try random general discussions their kids and teach them how to bond with time in conversations, emails, and occasion- during drives, shopping, eating, vacations, their kids in a way that kids understand ally meeting each other, you may think you etc. and offer advice in the form of hypotheti- that their parents are not stupid when it are in a relationship; which falsely lulls you cal situations. Like for me, I once mentioned comes to what they are going thru. With into honestly deflecting social, parental and how I found Jersey Shore to be a display of proper trained skills the results will be personal pressures of the end game, which is bad relationship choices and how utterly stu- that your kids won’t do misdeeds without marriage with the “perfect” life-partner. pid I found The Situation (Mike Sorrentino considering consequences and learn to As parents, it is time to accept a few a character on the show). The funny thing choose a better and more challenging life facts. Our kids have been exposed to meat- is kids agree he ain’t bright; but, love his coarse. I believe I can say that after having eating, alcohol, smoking, drugs, and casual bravado and macho-ness. For me, it was a a couple serious conversations with my dating (this is a short list). If you believe great opening to ask a lot of questions about own kid, that he has begun to understand your child is exempt then WAKE UP! Let’s what relationships mean to them and offer it is okay to talk to your parents about not pretend anymore, and instead start advice on what I think is more factual when anything no matter how they will react teaching leuva kids at a young age about considering leuva relationships. Seriously, to it. Still, after all this, I too must rely how to cope and limit the effects of these watch an episode of Jersey Shore. It is a on probability; there is no sure outcome exposures. mental waste of time to the nth degree. I can’t in this game. Finally, the samaj needs to Let’s focus on casual relations by un- imagine drugs to be more mind numbing. create a web-oriented social network to derstanding and building on the following Still, as parents you have to know the shows encourage leuvas with marriage goals to statistical facts in America: your kids watch and talk about them without interact. On a positive note; know this, • Statistically, men in twenties are more necessarily barring them. that some brilliant current leaders are visual than women and more interested For young adults, I believe you need to working to do the samaj’s part. Now, can in the physical part of sex; although, I do start reflecting at age 16 as to what things you (both kids and parents) leave your believe desi kids have a sense of family are important to you. Such as family, looks, other priorities and do the same? honor which keeps most of them in check money, coolness, education, character, So Tick Tock Tick Tock…. Time is when exposed to the wrong path. etc... This is not something to necessarily moving for parents, kids, and samaj… for • Women are motivated by commitment and share with anyone; but you must know for all of us it’s like waiting for India to win marriage. This difference is what makes yourself who you are and what you really the World Cup. the woman’s job more difficult and dis- want. At the same time you have to realize advantageous when looking for prospects. that others are looking at you with these By - Shailesh Patel (Isroli)

January 2013 19 LEUVA Scholarship LEUVA CONNECTION

SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN REGARDING TO YOUR SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION:

Please submit below listed documents along with the scholarship application. If this application is incomplete, inaccurate, or not signed, it will not be considered. Late applications will not be entertained under any circumstances. Completely filled application and all the requested documents are mandatory required. All application must be postmarked no late than June 15 of the year of application. Please download the Scholarship Application from our website: www.lpsofusa.com

(a) Essays and cover letter

(b) Most recent High School or College transcript

(c) Documentation of US Residency

(d) Three (3) letters of references

(e) SAT, ACT or Equivalent score report

(f) Achievements in community involvement or any other extracurricular activities

(g) Two (2) passport size photographs

(h) Proof of admission to a college or university is required prior to the award

(i) One (1) high resolution (minimum 300 x 300 dpi) passport size photograph needs to be emailed at: [email protected]

Scholarship Application & Documents (Requested Above) Must Be Mailed To:

Leuva Patidar Samaj Foundation, Inc. ATTN: Indubhai H. Patel 336 Heritage Isle Way, Bradenton, FL 34212

20 January 2013 LEUVA LEUVA Scholarship CONNECTION

Winners of LPS scholarship Foundation for the year 2012 Parents: Bharat Ishverbhai Patel & Nayana “Nancy” Patel - Soyani Winners of LPS scholarship Mount Pleasant, Texas Foundation for the year 2012 January 12, 2013 Kruti Nilesh Patel Florida Dear LPS Scholarship foundation: Sonal Upen Patel Texas It is with extreme gratitude that I Hena Jagdish Patel Florida write this letter of Jiten N. Patel Florida thanks to you. My name is Anam Pa- Suraj R. Patel Georgia tel. I am the proud recipient of the LPS Jayant J. Patel California Scholarship. I am Shiksha Pravin Patel Texas a First year under- grad majoring in Anam Bharat Patel Texas Biochemistry under Kishan Sunil Desai Ohio a Pre-med Course at the University of Oklahoma at Norman. Anita S. Patel Florida Outside of my academic requirements, I serve as Priyanka J. Patel Illinois treasurer for the Student council Association on Sagar Suresh Desai Florida campus and work as a full-time employee at OU. I am also a member of the National Honor Society (NHS). Within this organization, I dedicated hours to volunteer in positive events for groups such as Priyanka Patel the 4-H Club and the Minority Health Coalition. From Dhamdod Lumbha After graduation in 2012, I hoped to further my Parents: Jay and Bharti Patel education by enrolling in OU. Live in Rockford, IL Coming from the small town of Mount Pleasant, Going to school at the University of Illinois Urbana Cham- Texas, it was instilled into me by my parents, both of paign, studying biology/pre-med whom are struggling entrepreneurs, to reach for the stars. As you can see, my career goals are not far from Future goals: medical school, and eventually specialize in what they asked. Thanks to your confidence in me, surgery, preferrably heart or brain you reaffirm that my dreams are possible.

I am so grateful to the LPS Scholarship Foundation for their Throughout my academic career at OU, I have generous donation in my education. This scholarship means aimed for excellence. Every semester I am going a tremendous amount to my family and me because it is al- to challenge myself to increase my GPA higher lowing me to continue my education; a topic that has been of than the semester before. Receiving this scholar- concern in the past year. With this money, I can pay tuition, and lessen the pressure on my parents, ship will make that goal much easier to obtain. and all this is made possible by the LPS Scholarship Foundation. Thank you to everyone who has Your generosity is appreciated and accepted with given me the opportunity to pursue my dream of working in the medical field someday, extreme honor. I once again thank you sincerely for believing in me.

Priyanka Patel Thanks again for your generous contribution, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | Molecular and Cellular Biology Anam Patel

LPS Foundation INC 400 Collins Park Dr. Antioch, TN 37013

Dear Indubhai Patel,

I would like to thank you for your investment in me and my future education. It means a lot to me and my family that I have been chosen to be a recipient of this prestigious scholarship representing our cultural society. Without a doubt, this scholarship will play a key role in achieving my education dreams. Because of your generosity, the financial burden placed on me to pursue my education will be reduced. That means I can spend more time on my stud- ies, research and extracurricular activities and less time worrying about my finances. I will forever remember this gesture of generosity in all my future endeavors. Thank you very much once again.

Sincerely,

Sonal Patel

January 2013 21

LEUVA LEUVA Youth CONNECTION Youth Connect Helping Community...

A Humble THANK YOU to everyone that helped make this 'Gandhi Day of Service' a success!

In the month of October 2012, hundreds (100's) of Leuva Youth from all around the regions organize community work on different projects, ranging from cleaning up the temple, color run, planting trees to feeding the homeless. The 10th anniversary of Gandhi Day is anticipated to the largest in LPS of USA history.

Gandhi Day is based on the principles by which Mahatma Gandhi lived his life. The Indian civil rights leader led his country to independence through peace and community building. Gandhi Day was aimed to pay its respects to the late civil rights leader by promoting these same ideals right and the various projects around the regions are a great example of the values Gandhi practiced during his life.

"Gandhi believed in finding self-fulfillment in the fulfillment of others, and we think Gandhi Day does just that." Youth who have participated in Gandhi Day of service agree that the work they did was self-fulfilling.

"We think Gandhi Day is about more than simply helping the community," Youth Chair Hitesh Patel and Dipesh Patel said. "It gives you a chance to problem solve with whole new groups of people; to make something special and set an example for hundreds of future children or adults."

Respectfully,

Hitesh Patel - Youth Officer West Email: [email protected]

Dipesh Patel - Youth Officer East Email: [email protected]

January 2013 23

LEUVA LEUVA Board Meeting CONNECTION

January 2013 25 LEUVA In Action LEUVA CONNECTION Raman (R.P.) Rama Begins Term as HFTP Global President...

In October 2012, Raman P. Rama was in- nations which are hospitality-specific stalled as global president of Hospitality certifications for accounting and tech- Financial and Technology Professionals nology that are only offered by HFTP. (HFTP) at the association’s 2012 Annual As the new president of HFTP, Mr. Rama Convention & Tradeshow in Orlando, recognizes first and the importance of Florida. The event was historic in two providing these educational resources to ways. It was a celebration of the 60th the hospitality community. His desire is anniversary of HFTP, the global pro- that CHAE and CHTP designations will fessional association for financial and become a standard for the hospitality technology personnel working in hotels, industry around the world. In his leader- clubs and other hospitality-related busi- ship role at HFTP, R.P. has a great vision nesses, and the installation of Raman for growth globally which is in line with (R.P.) Rama as the first native of India the strategic roadmap established by the who is Owner & Chief Technology Of- HFTP Global Board in the spring of 2011. ficer/Chief Information Officer of a He wants to branch out into regions with Hotel Company to be named as global vibrant hospitality business, with a focus president. He has been a member of in Brazil, Russia, India and China. This HFTP since 1991 and credits much of vision will soon become reality due to his professional success to his active a recent vote by HFTP’s board of direc- involvement in HFTP programs. “I would tors to open an office in India to better not be where I am today without the serve its growing Asian membership. “I personal and professional development am privileged to serve as the President I received through HFTP’s educational with other members who discussed of this vital organization that is an im- programs and networking opportunities their specialty accounting systems with portant global resource for finance and with leaders in finance and technology,” him. He then attended HITEC and met technology information in the hospital- Rama said in his address at the HFTP industry professionals and vendors who ity industry. HFTP is developing Global convention. helped him narrow his search to find the Hospitality Accounting Standards User Rama’s involvement in HFTP began best system to fit his company. He knew Guide (GHASUG) — is a global hospital- in 1991 when he was searching for an ac- immediately that he had made the right ity accounting project is under way and counting system specific to the hospital- decision to join the HFTP organization. progressing well. HFTP benefits have ity industry. At the time he was serving Throughout his years as an HFTP been invaluable to me as a long-time as a controller at JHM Hotels and had member, he worked to obtain the Certi- member so I am honored to give back and little IT experience. His search led him to fied Hospitality Accountant Executive help bring new ideas as HFTP continues HFTP. He took advantage of the organiza- (CHAE) and the Certified Hospitality to grow worldwide.” tion’s benefits and was able to network Technology Professional (CHTP) desig-

Young Entrepreneur Award for the year 2012

Every year IACC give this award based on the opportunities in the market out- based in Atlanta, Georgia definition of “ ENTREPRENEURS ““someone who side of the United States such as and took part in over $3.4 undertakes innovations and engages in business in India. He is responsible for billion worth of hotel trans- in an effort to transform those innovations into the identifying and generating actions in the US. He is also economic goods”. One who capitalize on his/her new business opportunities instrumental in setting up imagination and passions. Entrepreneurship can within a targeted marketplace a management company range from solo projects to major undertakings as with the goal of adding value in joint venture with Inter- well as risk taker. In that spirit, the IACC ( Indian to the family business. state Hotels and Resorts American Chamber of Commerce ) honour the Prior to starting his career by the name of JHM Inter- young entrepreneurs of our community that are in JHM family business Vinay state Hotels Management under 40 years of age . At a recent Annual Gala worked for Hodges Ward El- Co. based in Gurgaon. He Function Mr. Vinay M Rama was awarded Young liott a top performing hotel believes in doing business Entrepreneur of the year 2012. brokerage firm based in Atlanta, with honesty, integrity and Vinay graduated from Cornell University Georgia and took part in over sincerity and thinks one with a degree in Hotel Administration with a $3.4 billion worth of hotel trans- should never stop progress- focus in Hotel Real Estate. As the Managing actions in the US. ing, even for a moment. In Director of JHM International and Director of Prior to starting his career in JHM family past he served as Former Treasurer of NSMH Business development for JHM, Vinay is respon- business Vinay worked for Hodges Ward El- (The National Society for Minority Hoteliers) sible for identifying and executing new Business liott a top performing hotel brokerage firm Cornell Chapter.

26 January 2013

LEUVA Recognition LEUVA CONNECTION Gardiner pays tribute to Leuva Community

BARRY Gardiner, Member of Parlia- ment for Brent North tabled an Early Day Motion (EDM) welcoming the presi- dent of the Leuva Patidar Samaj of USA (LPS) in parliament on Monday, November 19, 2012.

It acknowledges the contribution of the Leuva community to the cultural, religious and business life of the UK; recalls that many of the Leuva com- munity people were refugees from discrimination and violence in Africa 40 years ago this year; and looks back on the community’s achievements and success throughout the globe. LPS is the first organization to receive this honor and respect.

Gardiner met with Kirit Patidar, President of LPS of USA (centre), and Hargovin Desai, LPS BOD (second left), at the House of Commons; followed by dinner together in Parliament’s special room.

Kalpesh Solanki, Group Managing Editor of AMG was also present (far right) along with Shailesh Solanki, AMG Executive Editor (far left). Shailesh R Solanki, Hargovin Desai, Kirit Partidar, Barry Gardiner MP and Kalpesh R Solanki

28 January 2013 LEUVA LEUVA President Letter CONNECTION ±õáÕí±õç ÕþõìçÍõLËÞù Õhë

Tèëáë ìÜhëù ÉÝlí ÀòWHë! • 2012Üë_ ±õáÕí±õç ÕþëØõìåÀ- áùç • 11×í 13 É\áë³, 2013 ØßìÜÝëÞ ±õLÉáç (çí±õ), ÚõÀçýìÎSÍ (çí±õ), ÍõËÿù³Ë ÞõåÞá ÀLäõLåÞ, ±ùáõýLÍù, NáùìßÍë, ±KÝZë ±ë Þäë äæý ÜëËõ Ào³À Âëç Èõ. (±õܱë³), ÎùËó äë³Þ (³Þ), ìËÿìÞØëØ ±Þõ ÕØõ ±õÜÕí ßëÜ (±õαõá), çðßõå ÕËõá á_ÍÞ ºBáõLÍ (±õαõá), çðìÞá ÕËõá (Ëí±õÞ) ±Þõ çÜíß ±õÀ äæýÞë ±_Ö çðÔí ç_VÀòìÖ±ùÞí µÉäHëí • ÕËõá (Ëí±õ@ç) ׳ ±Þõ ÚíÉ\_ Þäð_ äæý ÕHë åw ×Ýð_. èoÜõåë ÞÝÞë ÒÞõLçíÓ ÕËõáÞë ÜëÃýØåýÞ èõÌâ • ±õäù ìäÇëß ±ëäõ Àõ É^Þ_ð ½Ý Èõ ±Þõ Þäð_ ÀLäõåÞÜë_ çäýç_ÜìÖ×í ìäÜõLç ±õQÚõçõÍß ÕþÜð ÚùÍóÞë çë×í±ùÞë çèÀëß×í ÖõÜÞë ÀëÝý Îßí×í ÀßäëÞð_ Èõ. Õß_ÕßëÃÖ ßíÖõ Þäð_ ÕþùÃþëÜÞí ßÉ^±ëÖ Ãîà üĀá øê ïÂà â ðÙø´îÆå × Øîç ð⠒îîËø1 äæý Þäë ìäÇëßù, Ào³À çëv_ ÀßäëÞë äÇÞù • ÕþÀëåÞ ËíÜ ¦ëßë Þäë ÀõáõLÍßÞð_ çÉýÞ ±ëÕHëí ç_V×ëÞõ äÔð çëßí ÚÞëääë ±Þõ ÚíÉ\ Cëb_ ÕñHëý ÀßäëÞù çÜÝÃëâù Èõ. • åöáõæ ÕËõá (±ùÀõ)Þë ÜëÃýØåýÞ èõÌâ ÜëËõ ±ëÕHëõ çÜÝ ±ëÕíÞõ ±Þõ ÀëÝùý ÀßíÞõ ±ë çÜÝ ±ëÃâ ÀëÜ ÀßäëÞù ±õÀ ±ëåëäëØ äõÚçë³ËÜë_ ÎõßÎëß Ö×ë ÖõÞõ Îßí×í ìÍ{ë³Þ Ãúßä ±ÞðÛäí±õ. É\áë³ 2013Üë_ ±ëÕHëë ÉÃëäõ Èõ ±Þõ Þäë ±ëÝùÉÞ Àßäë ÜëËõÞù ÀßíÞõ ßÉ^ ÀßäëÞð_ ÀëÜ ÕþÃìÖÜë_ ÞõåÞá ÀLäõLåÞ, ±ùáõýLÍù, NáùìßÍë, ÜëËõ ÕHë Èõ Ö×ë çë×õ ÛìäWÝÜë_ ±ëäÞëßí • ±õáÕí±õç-±ÜõìßÀëÞë ÜõÃõ{íLç ±Þõ ÞùîÔHëí ÀßëääëÞð_ ÇðÀåù ÞèÙ (äÔð ìäÃÖ ÜðUÀõáí±ùÞõ çÜÉäëÞù ÕHë Èõ. ±LÝ Õhëù ÞèÙ ÜâäëÞë ÜðtëÞë ìÞßëÀßHëÞð_ Ë>_À çÜÝÜë_ Üâåõ). ±ë ÜèkäÞë ÀëÝý¿ÜÜë_ ±õáÕí±õç ±ÜõìßÀëÞë ÕþÜð ÕØõ ÈõõSáë È ÀëÜ ÕþÃìÖÜë_ ±ëÕHëÞõ ±õÀÚí½Þõ äÔð ÃëÏ ÚÞëääëÞí ÖÀ Üâåõ ±Þõ ±ëÕHëí ±ëäÞëßí Ûëìä ÕõÏí±ù Üëç×í èð_ ±Þõ Üëßë çë×í±ù FÝëß×í ÉäëÚØëßí • ËõÞõçíÜë_ èëµçÞë äõÇëHë ±Þõ ÖõÞõ VäíÀëßí IÝëß×í ÖõÞë ÀëÝùý ±Þõ áZÝë_ÀùÞõ ìç© ÜëËõ ±ëÕHëù äëßçù ±Þõ ç_VÀòìÖÞí ½âäHëí ±ùìÎçÜë_ ÖÚìØá ÀßäëÞð_ äÔð ±çßÀëßÀ ÜëËõ ÜØØ Üïïâåõ. Àßäë çÖÖ ÀìËÚ© Èí±õ. µÕßë_Ö ±ëÕHëí ç_ èåõ, Õß_Öð çú×í ÜèkäÞð_ ±õ Èõ Àõ ØßõÀ ÀZëë±õ YÚîá î¸IÌç å Þ îïç ß îÎø´îà üÌá Ãâðâ’îî ÀëÝýåíáÖë äÔð çðÄÏ ÚÞëääí ±Þõ µEÇÀZëëÞë ±ëÕHëí ç_V×ëÜë_ Úèùâë ÕìßäÖýÞÜë_ Èí±õ, ÉõÞõ ±ëÕHëë ÝðäëÞù±õ áë_Úë çÜÝ çðÔí ç_Öùæ çë×õ çPÝÕØ çùîÕäð_. çèÀëß ±ëÕäë ÚØá èð_ ±ëÕ çèðÞù ±ëÛëßí È\_ ±Þõ ±ëåë Èõ Àõ ±ëÕ çèð ÚëÀíÞë ÀëÝùý ½âäí ßëÂäëÞð_ Èõ. • èçðÛë³ ÕËõá (Ëí±õ@ç)Þë ÜëÃýØåýÞ ÕñHëý ÀßäëÜë_ çë× ±ëÕåù. ±ëÕÞë ÕþUÞù, ÈõSáë È Üëç×í äÔð çÜÝÜë_ èð__ ±Þõ èõÌâ ìÍßõ@Ëßí ÚÞëääëÞð_ ÀëÜ ÕþÃìÖÜë_ Üëßë ÚùÍóÞë çë×í±ù ÃúßäÕñäýÀ Àèí åÀí±õ çñÇÞù èoÜõåë ±ëäÀëÝý ßèõåõ, Öõ ÜëËõ @ÝëßõÝ • ÛßÖ ÒÒÚþðçÓÓ ÕËõá ±Þõ ÍSáëç Ëí±õ@ç ÕHë Üëßù ç_ÕÀó Àßí åÀù Èù. 2012-2013Þë ÀëÝýÀëâÜë_ ÞíÇõ ÜðÉÚÞë ËíÜÞë ÜëÃýØåýÞ èõÌâ ÝðäëÞù ±Þõ Üìèáë±ù ÀëÝùý ÕñHëý ×Ýë Èõ ±×äë Öù Öõ ÕþÃìÖÜë_ ÈõÑ ÜëËõ ÜõLËß ÕþùÃþëÜÞí ßÉ^±ëÖ • ±ëÛëß çè ÃõËìáÞÚÃý, ËõÞõçí çMËõQÚß-2012- • ÚëÚðÛë³ ÕËõá (±õܱõç)Þë ÜëÃýØåýÞ Üë_ Ýð× ÀõQÕÙà ³äõLË ±Þõ Üìèáë ÕìßæØÞð_ èõÌâ ÚõìÞìÎË ±õáÕí±õç ±Þõ ±õáÕí±õç çÎâ ±ëÝùÉÞ ±ùÎ Ýð±õç±õ VÀùáßìåÕ ÎëµLÍõåÞÞí ÜØØ ìÀßíË ÕëËíØëß (ÃëÜ-±Îäë) • ìÍçõQÚß-2012Üë_ ÛëßÖíÝ çë_VÀòìÖÀ ÜëËõ ßëÎõá ÕþùÉõÀËÞí ßÉ^±ëÖ Éõ@çÞìäáõ, ±õαõá ÀëÝý¿Ü ±Þõ äùáíÚùá Ë<ÞëýÜõLËÞð_ çÎâ • 2013Þë ÕþëØõìåÀ ÀëÝý¿Üù-ÜígËà (É^±ù ÕþÜðÂÑ ±õáÕí±õç ±ùÎ Ýð±õç 2012-13 ±ëÝùÉÞ èoÃëÜí çÜÝÕhëÀ)

I would like to express my earnest appreciation toward the Leuva Patidar Samaj Foundation for this generous schol-

arship donation. It means a great deal to me as I pursue my educational goals with hopes of one day becoming a

Pharmacist. I was delighted to be selected for this honor and I am deeply grateful for your support. This financial

assistance provided by the LPS community will be of great help in paying for some of my educational expenses as I

continue college at the University of Florida. Thank you again for your generosity and support!

Anita Patel (Asta), daughter of Sukhdevbhai and Hansaben Patel

St. Augustine, Florida

January 2013 29 LOOK WHO’S SPEAKING! 2013 AAHOA Annual Convention & Trade Show GEORGE R. BROWN CONVENTION CENTER  HOUSTON, TX MARCH 26–29, 2013

ON WE D NESD AY, MARCH 27 ON FRIDAY, MARCH 29 Steve Forbes Howard Putnam Chairman & Editor-in-Chief Forbes Media ‡ Former President & CEO, Southwest Airlines ‡ Publisher ‡ Former CEO, Braniff Airlines ‡ Author of books about capitalism, Author of book about leadership & tax policy ‡ leadership & ethics ‡ Economic Forecaster ‡ Twice campaigned for Republican presidential nomination

Turn their information and ideas into a winning strategy for your business

PLUS

‡ Learn from wide-ranging educational sessions Including The Industry Issues Panel featuring Wayne Goldberg, La Quinta Corporation Steve P. Joyce, Choice Hotels International Kirk Kinsell, InterContinental Hotels Group Arne M. Sorenson, Marriott International H.P. Rama, JHM Hotels (moderator)

‡ %HQHÀWIURPDQLQGXVWU\OHDGLQJWUDGHVKRZ Reserve your spot today! ‡ Enjoy world-class Bollywood entertainment & Indian cuisine Visit the AAHOA website Including Mauli Dave & her team www.aahoa.com/convention of dancers, singers & musicians

LEUVA LEUVA People CONNECTION

January 2013 31 LEUVA Opinion & Recommendation LEUVA CONNECTION

32 January 2013 LEUVA LEUVA Opinion & Recommendation CONNECTION

IMPORTANT! IMPORTANT! IMPORTANT! Tentative LPS NOTICE FOR UPCOMING Schedule 2013 (Subject to change) NEW LPS DIRECTORY 2013 • Jan. 29-30- Myrtle Beach, SC: LPS Town Hall Meeting • Feb. 8-9 - Cincinnati, OH: Ski Trip Dear Members, • Feb. 16-17 - Dallas, TX: Board Meeting • Feb. 23 - Fort Myers, FL We would like to notify our members that April 30th, 2013 would be the • Feb. 24 - Orlando/ Daytona Beach , FL (to be determined) last and final deadline to update your membership profile in our LPS of • Mar. 16 - Pensacola , FL USA Database. For your convenience we had already mailed your login • Mar. 22-24 - Colon, Panama City, Panama information (Username and Password) twice. So we humbly request all (Central America): Regional • Mar. 27-29 - Houston, TX: AAHOA- Booth, our members to visit our LPS website: www.lpsofusa.com and update Town Hall, Board Meeting your membership profile before this deadline. If you don’t update your • April 2- Baton Rouge/ New Orleans , LA membership profile before April 30th, 2013 deadline, than LPS of USA would • April 3- Jackson, MS not be responsible for any error, omission or any misprint in our upcoming • April 4-5- Birmingham/ Montgomery, AL (to be determined) directory. If you do not receive your password or need your username, please • April 6- Atlanta, GA email us: [email protected] • April 26-28 -Orlando, FL : LPS Volleyball Tournament/ Board Meeting/ Volunteers/ Regional Thank you all in advance for your support and co-operation. • May 2-3 -Best Western • May 4 - Fort Lauderdale/Miami , FL Sincerely, • June 6-9 - Gatlinburg, TN: Hasu D. Patel (Directory Chair) AFVA Village Meeting • July 11-13th- Orlando, FL – LPS of USA Na- & Directory Team tional Convention *Nashville, Dallas, Houston, Charlotte

January 2013 33 LEUVA People LEUVA CONNECTION

34 January 2013 SURATI FARSAN MART

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