Shree Prajapati Association UK hosted Seniors Sneh Milan (Conference for our senior citizens) on Sunday 24th July 2022 in Leicester. The main theme of the Sneh Milan was presentations and discussions on “Social Care”. Held at the SPA Leicester Community Centre, the Sneh Milan was a sell-out with over 500 of our respected elders participating from 14 different cities and towns across the U.K supported by another 100 volunteers. The event was organised by the SPA UK Seniors Committee team and hosted by a combination of volunteers from all SPA branches who managed the logistics for the full day. The event embraced the spirit of eliminating single-use plastics, and all food and drinks were served in steel plates, cups and cutlery, and prasad was distributed in paper bags rather than plastic ones.
The morning session started with an Aarti performed by a representative from each of the 14 branches present, followed by a welcome speech by the Senior’s Committee Secretary Shrimati Pushpaben Yogeshbhai Mistry (Luton), and this was followed by a lovely swagatam geet “Aap Aavya, Sau Padharya” beautifully sung by Indiraben Bhanabhai Lad (Preston), Pushpaben Yogeshbhai Mistry (Luton), and Hansaben Pravinbhai Mistry (Luton).
Piyushbhai Ambalalbhai Mistry (Birmingham) translated the presentation in Gujarati for the benefit of the elderly audience.
Nilaben Kiranbhai Mistry (Birmingham), shared her personal experiences of having to arrange care services for her father and eventually having to make the heartbreaking decision of moving him to a care home. Due to ill health, her father Shri Karsanbhai Mistry (Solihull) was unable to attend the event and relay back his emotional rollercoaster experience of leaving his own home and moving to a new care home and city. However, he is now thriving in his new place and even aiding others in the care home.
The program also honoured 4 respected “Centurions” from the Prajapati Samaj who had recently turned 100 years old. Shri Narshibhai Bhulabhai Mistry (Birmingham), Shrimati Bhaniben Mangubhai Mistry (Leicester), Shri Gopalbhai Rambhai Mistry (Birmingham) and Srimati Vijiaben Parshotambhai Mistry (Leicester), were all honoured with a token gift.
Following lunch, there were several entertainment items including a Bollywood dance “My Name is Anthony Gonzalvez” (London), a thoroughly enjoyable “Nrutya Natak” on the song “Jag Thi Niralu Maru Prajapati Kul Che, Sau Thi Radiyaru Maru Kumbhar Samaj Che” (Leicester), Karaoke and dance performance on old classical Bollywood songs (Bradford), a game of Bingo (Seniors Committee) and finally a Raffle draw.
The program concluded with the National Anthems of Britain and India before attendees departed for their homes. The President of SPA UK, Kamleshbhai C Mistry, commented on the programme saying "This was a fabulous event and it keeps our Samaj moving forward despite challenges such as the pandemic and we continue to deliver many new initiatives for all age groups"
