Written by: Jayant & Veena Kulkarni
Promissory note:
Two years ago just for curiosity, we went to our neighborhood area Satya Narayan Mandir for the grand opening event of ‘India Home A Center For Senior’ upon request by Manoo Ramchandani who is the mandir manager and our good friend. There were South Asian Community senior people like us along with other dignitaries. An enthusiastic lady on the podium was telling the history about India Home in front of large crowd. She spoke like a ambassador of IH and conveyed the message so well with facts, we were impressed with her speech and about India Home. Well, her speech was like a promissory note to all of us. Later we found out that, she was a senior member of India Home and her name was Mrs. Ushaben Bharat Shah…
Though we were the only Marathi Speaking, Maharashtrian, in that crowd, without a second thought, we we became a member of India Home. Not only that, later egoless Ushaben and Bharatbhai became our close friend as well. The good reason was so many coincidental common interest between us…
Well, thanx to Mandir Manager Manoo Ramchandani who was instrumental for India Home connection where we go every Thursday since then, like a devotee of GOD…
dignitaries and IH members…
A Very Small World:Though Ushaben was from Gujarat, she married to Bharath Shah who was from Mumbai and coincidently was from our neighborhood. We both played HS cricket together but, from different schools and we used to go to the same swimming pool. Besides, we knew so many common friends who played cricket, sports clubs, educational institutes/colleges etc. Though Bharatbhai was from middle-class family, he is graduated in science and worked in ‘Merck Sharp & Dohme India Ltd Co.’ for 30 years, in Mumbai… Well where as Ushaben is concerned, she was born and brought up at I. B. Model Farm Ltd, Kathwada, near Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Her father was working as accountant in I. B. Model Farm Ltd, which Pranlal Bhogilal was the owner of the Company. Pranlal Bhogilal was well known antique car collector. Who has a collection of over 200 cherished automobiles at the Auto World Vintage Car Museum. Incidentally, I knew him thru press reports/videos about his collection. It was really a small world…
Dedicated, Hard Working and Down to Earth Social Workers:Recently Ushaben just turned her milestone 80th Birthday and Bharatbhai turned 82. Proud to mention that, they never stop working from social life. They always kept themself 24/7 busy from daily activities. In a way, they are a driving force of IH and thus IH is very lucky to have them as a member. Ushaben is graduated in Science, Physics and mathematics, in 1964, from Gujrat University. Besides, Ushaben also learned Acupressure therapy which is a type of massage therapy in which manual pressure is applied to specific points on the body. It is a practice of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practice that is similar to acupuncture, except that it uses fingertip pressure instead of needles…
Proud to mention that, Ushaben and Bharatbhai are doing voluntary social work in many senior centers in five boroughs of NY City’s in prestigious organizations since 2001…
As a matter of fact, they both are very talented artists in every cultural area and field. They could sing, dance, teach art and act too. Not only they are sharing their experience in India Home to the seniors with pride, India Home became a platform for both of them. Where they explore talent, ideas and expertise which are helping seniors. So, Bharatbhai said, “IH changed my life…”
awards in dedicated social work…
3) Spectacular celebration of Republic Day, where Bharatbhai was Gandhi and Ushaben was Kasturba
on extreme right…
Discipline with Punctuality in Life:
Ushaben is always saying that, “Discipline is a powerful attribute that can transform lives and unlock one’s true potential. It is the bridge between aspirations and achievements, enabling individuals to set goals, stay focused, and make consistent progress. Discipline is one of the most important personality traits in everyone’s life. It refers to a set of rules and regulations which are to be followed while undergoing any task or activity. It is a way of being honest, hard-working, motivated, and encouraged while doing any task. The simple way to have self-discipline with eating habits with punctuality…”
What Ushaben is saying is right, lifestyle factors like exercise, diet, and even attitude can be as important as genetics when it comes to living long and growing old gracefully. They created their own Identity with class. We do admire her energy, enthusiasm and always positive approach at this age with smile…
Acupressure therapy which cured my pinch nerve and sciatica pain…
Miracle from Acupressurist Ushaben Bharat Shah:
I was suffering from Pinch Nerve and Sciatica pain on left side of my body quite a long time. Also loosing balance while walking too. So, I used cane for support. Well, the pain started back again and was bothering me. So, my Internist immediately recommended me to go to see neurologist. He thought, it could be blood circulation or brain related problem or else. Honestly speaking, I was scare to death and had sleepless nights until neurologist visit…
Some time your sixth sense works at the right time and it happened just like that. Before neurologist appt, I decided to see Ushaben at India Home in Jamaica office for her acupressure therapy. I had two meetings with her and guess what, with her therapy my both the pain was gone and I was cured. Not only that, I started walking normally without pain and cane..!
Anyhow I went to see neurologist Dr. Jagga Rao Alluri accordingly and had neuropathy procedure plus othercommon tests at his office. Later, thru his recommendation I had brain MRI with and without contrast, X-ray and MRI of internal right ear, carotid doppler/ultrasound and spinal with back X-rays. All was done in one day which I never ever had done in my life span. Honestly, I was feeling very uncomfortable. When I visited after those terrible tests to my neurologist for following visit, he immediately congratulate me and told, “Nothing to worry Mr. Kulkarni. All the test/results came out negative. You required no medication or any therapy. You can see me after three months.” What was a relief..! Thanx a million to Ushaben for the same..!!
By the way, when I told my internist and neurologist that I am cured from acupressure therapy, they jokinglysaid, “You gave us good news and bad news…”
As you may know, Ushaben treated many seniors from IH with any pain, she do the acupressure therapy. All they feel good and mostly all got cured…
May God bless Graceful Couple Ushaben and Bharat Shah with good health and long life..!
Stay safe and healthy with regards,
Jayant & Veena.