Shree Lohana Association Birmingham

Navratri 2011 - What a Success !!

Navaratri (nine nights) is one of the greatest Hindu festivals. It symbolises the triumph of good over evil. Navratri takes place in the autumn of each year around harvest time and, as the name implies, this festival is celebrated for nine days. Navratri is also known as Durga Puja.

Hindu Council of Birmingham - Diwali 2011

SLAB Diwali 2011

SLAB Navratri 2011

SLAB Supports DIYA 2011!

Shree Lohana Association Birmingham supports Aston University - Hindu Society with Sponsorship for DIYA 2011 !

Namaste!

On the 30th March 2011, Aston Hindu Society held their biggest event of the year, Diya 2011 - The Cave of Wonders.

Diya is an authentic dinner and dance held to raise money for charity every year. This year in its 6th year it's been bigger than ever before. The event has built up a reputation as "one not to be missed" and AHS strived to stay true to this by providing a quality event, different to many other balls at Aston University, as it sticks to it’s no meat, no alcohol policy. The three course meal is accompanied by a show, showcasing not only talent from amongst Aston Hindu Society but across other societies within the university. It gives students the opportunity to shine and meet a variety of people, not only on the day but in the months running up to it.

The event aimed to raise £8000 for our three chosen charities - Save the Children, Autism West Midlands and Manav Sadhna. This was aided by a raffle on the night. Sponsorship and gaining prizes for the raffle has enabled a committee of people to develop their social skills and professionalism, giving them a chance to attain skills invaluable to them for the rest of their lives. Diya opened its doors to Aston students, parents and local businesses and communities but is also supported by many other universities across England.

Diya in a nutshell is all about giving. It gives to charity, it gives opportunity to students and it gives its guests a night of elegance, entertainment and dancing that they'll never forget.

Thank you to you, Birmingham Lohana Association for giving us you love and support! We really appreciated it and we hope that your support continues with us for years to come.

Jai Shree Krishna!

Jayna Patel
President of Aston Hindu Society 2010 - 2011

LCUK Variety Show 2011

South London Lohana community were the hosts of the 2011 LCUK variety show at Fulham Town Hall on Sunday 27^th February.

Birmingham as ever were well represented with an entry as well as many members of the Birmingham community attending to cheer the Birmingham entry on. As well as Birmingham there were representatives on the day from North London, South London, Leicester, Peterborough, Coventry and Ashton. There was excitement before the show as participants prepared and got ready for the show as well as excitement from the audience in anticipation of seeing the performances (A lot of the male excitement was focused on the cricket though with India playing England).

Birmingham’s entry this year was prepared and performed by Kroopa Kotecha, Meera Nathwani and Jilna & Heena Karia who gave a show stopping performance with their medley of Gunji Aangna Menu Shehnai Hai, Chhan Ke Mohalla and Disco Khisco.

North London were the eventual winners of the competition but Birmingham got much praise for its faultless performance on the day and huge praise has to be given to all the girls as their preparations were disrupted several times in the run up to the show.

To celebrate some members of the community took the girls out the following week to La Casa Italian restaurant in Bearwood, where much fun was had by all who attended.

Looking forward to doing it all again next year and hopefully Birmingham may well be the winner.

Article presented by the Young Lohana Association, Birmingham

Christmas Celebrations 2010 by the YLA

Young Lohana Association Birmingham were proud to host the 2010 annual children’s Christmas party. This year the event was held at Crazy Golf in Star City followed by a meal at Pizza Hut. The day attracted 25 guests with a combination of children and adults, all of whom seemed eager to improve their golf handicap!!!!

The day proved to be a huge success with fun had by all who participated. Crazy golf seemed the perfect idea this year as the whole family were able to participate, with children from as young as two years old up to mature adults participating. Regardless of age, crazy golf proved to be highly competitive with young children and adults competing for the best score. ‘Sorry adults I think the younger children got the best scores.’

A special mention has to go to two year old Amisha Modi who had a particularly good score. Before we knew it everyone had got through the 18 holes and it was time for the next part of the day and to move on to Pizza Hut. It was here the top prize for boys was given to Nishal Thakrar and the top prize for girls was given to Amisha Modi for both gaining the top scores in crazy golf. Well done guys, I look forward to seeing you on the golf course soon. The meal at Pizza Hut was enjoyed by all with everyone really enjoying the festive menu on the day.

We hope everyone who attended enjoyed the event as much as we did. We would love your ideas for what you would like for the YLA Christmas Party next year, please feel free to email your ideas over.

View the photos in our photo gallery - click Photo Gallery on the left.

Article presented by the Young Lohana Association, Birmingham

Census 2011 - Make a difference for yourself and your community!

Diwali 2010 - What a Success !

Diwali is an auspicious occasion in the Hindu Calendar and indeed an important day in the lives of all Hindus. Traditionally it is celebrated to mark the return of Ram, Sita and Lakshman from their fourteen years away in the forests of India. Ram had happily agreed to give up his palatial home in Ayodhya for the harsh forests so that his father could keep his promise to one of his wives. Sita, his wife and Lakshman, his devoted brother, accompanied him. Whilst away for the fourteen years they endured many hardships and eventually returned having won many battles ensuring good triumphed over evil.
The night before Ram’s return to Ayodhya, was dark, Kaali Chaudesh and so there was no moon to light the way. The people of Ayodhya lit lamps on the roads so that Ram and his entourage could see the way into the city. Upon entry into the city fireworks were let off and the residents celebrated welcoming the returning heroes as they walked upon brightly painted roads and thresholds.
This return of Ram to Ayodhya marks the festival of Diwali. It is also the start of a new age and the start of the Hindu calendar.

Click Read More below.

Kichi Party - Another Success !!

We are delighted to report a massive success at our Khitchi Party held on 25th September 2010. We had over 80 ladies from all over Birmingham. The programme commenced after the customary prayers were said.

Cookery demonstrations were presented bythe following 5 ladies.

Meena Raja - Date cashew nut cake
Giulianna Martire - Pasta italian style (italian lady)
Varsha Rajani - Weetabix Barfi
Jaimini Khiroya - Chilli mogo
Shruti Fulchand - Veg. Cheesecake

We would sincerely like to thank all the participants who kindly made & brought dishes from home and shared their receipes with the other ladies.

Toni Hasler, Community Fund raising Manager from ACORNS CARE FOR THE CHILD SUPPORT FOR THE FAMILY talked about childrens hospice care across the heart of England.

We ended the programme with antakshi.

The overall response from the ladies was that it was a great evening which was fun, informative and useful. Majority of the ladies requested this kind of programmes to be held every three months.

Whilst SLAB ladies attendance accounted for only 10%, we received a massive support from other Hindu communities. SLAB ladies are thoroughly encouraged to attend. Please come and supprt us, this is YOUR function.

Please watch out for the next programme NORTA.............. get your new colourful sarees and chania cholis out. Come and have a good time. Do not miss out.

RANJU NATHWANI