Office: 1824 Fairfax Street, Elmont, NY 11003 Web site: www.niaasc.org E-mail: niaasc@aol.com

Mailing Address: 7 Roberta Avenue, Farmingville, NY 11738 Telephone: 1-866-6-NIAASC (1-866-664-2272)

Spring 2005 Issue Editors: MK Ramasubramanian & Rajeshwar Prasad

NIAASC LOST AN ENERGETIC BOARD MEMBER & COMMUNITY LEADER:

Members of the National Indo-American Association for Senior Citizens (NIAASC), expressed deepest sorrow and conveyed to his family their heartfelt condolences on the sad and untimely demise of Manoj K. Patel Esq. Manoj was a big support to the causes of senior citizens and his involvement with NIAASC since its inception was in earnest a true service to seniors. His constructive suggestions for improving the quality of life and for respecting dignity of seniors of Indian origin have left an important imprint for the Indian community to follow. We are also aware of his contributions to Global Organization of People of Indian Origin, National Federation of Indian Associations, Jersey City Human Rights Commission and various local and state entities.

BRIEF HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE ABOUT NIAASC:

The National Indo-American Association for Senior Citizens (NIAASC), incorporated in early 1999, is a nonprofit 501C3 organization. Its mission is to serve seniors through information, referral and advocacy services. NIAASC has organized nine full-day conferences/workshops (see information about conferences in this issue). NIAASC through formal surveys, informal discussions and observations, has identified problems faced by Indian seniors, their needs and aspirations in USA, and has periodically reported them in its newsletters. Its representatives have appeared on television, and written articles of interest to seniors and their families. Its pamphlet 'How to Set Up Senior Citizen Program' is available on request. Its Board of Directors is composed of individuals with dedication and professionalism in different fields. It provides a continuity of efforts by virtue of the fact that only one-third of its Board members retire every year, though eligible to be reelected. Its membership is open to all but decision-making rests with members 50 years of age and over. NIAASC remains to be an information, referral and advocacy entity without reinventing wheels and bringing to the attention of seniors and their families services available in their local communities and encouraging them to utilize them. Its collaborative efforts extend to a number of local, national and international entities. In February 2005 NIAASC highlighted its mission, objectives and activities at a conference in Artesia, California.

PRASAD TAKES OVER AS NIAASC EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR:

Mr. Rajeshwar Prasad, former President and a cofounder of the National Indo-American Association for Senior Citizens (NIAASC), has accepted to serve as its Executive Director in a voluntary position. He would be the first administrative head of NIAASC to facilitate its working and expansion. Prasad has over three decades of voluntary community work in USA: both with Indian and American entities, like United Way of Long Island, Suffolk County Human Rights Commission, India Association of Long Island, Social Justice Center at Stony Brook, Global Organization of People of Indian Origin. He comes with a professional background in health planning and development and has worked in executive positions with a number of not-for-profit organizations.

This issue of newsletter has been primarily supported by Dr. Ashwin Pandya. Others who have also contributed include Dr. Samir K. Dutta, Dr. Ashok Satkalmi, Mr. Romesh Tewari and Mr. Rajeshwar Prasad. NIAASC gratefully acknowledges their financial support, and looks forward to other supporters for the upcoming issues of newsletter.

SAVE THE DATE OF OCTOBER 29, 2005, SATURDAY, FOR THE NIAASC GENERAL BODY MEETING, CONFERENCE AND FUNDRAISER. DETAILS WILL FOLLOW.

Mrs. Satya Malhotra RN was elected to the position of Secretary replacing Tara Kotecha who could not carry on the responsibilities due to her other priorities. Tara remains a Board member. Satya has been involved with a number of voluntary organizations and has also worked with seniors. Her experience will help NIAASC and she was welcomed as new Secretary by the Board at its Board meeting on February 27, 2005.

You can review the proceedings of these Conferences by going over the NIAASC web sit. Names of speakers, panelists and moderators all appear in the proceedings. The web site goes by date. So please see the subject below and see the date conference was held. Click the date under Conferences/Workshops. In addition, NIAASC has collaborated with other organizations by providing logistical and technical support to them, notably India Association of Long Island that has organized six luncheons for seniors and their families along with presentations on issues of interest to seniors.

DATE TITLE (S) OF CONFERENCE/WORKSHOP

September 26, 1998 Problems and Issues Faced by Elders and Services available for elderly (specific issues and aspirations of Indian Americans); Entitlement programs, Long Term Care

April 29, 2000 Medicare and Medicaid Basics; Issues and Services for Seniors, Unique Issues of Indian Seniors; Strategies for Developing Senior Citizen Centers.

November 11, 2000 In-Family Conflicts and Compromises Faced by Immigrant Seniors

November 10, 2001 Issues Related to Housing for Seniors including Assisted Living; Issues Related to Transportation, Medicaid and Respite Care for Seniors and their Families.

April 26, 2003 Advocacy Workshop: Crucial Points in Advocacy; Community Perspective in Advocacy

August 22, 2004 Brainstorming Session on “Planning, Development and Administration of Senior Housing Complexes.”

Please note that the September 26, 1998 conference proceedings are not available on the web site.

Conference in California: A two-day conference was held in Artesia, California on February 19 & 20, 2005 on “Issues, Aspirations and Options in Senior Years for Indo-Americans” attended by 75 participants from different parts of USA. Three representatives of NIAASC also attended the conference and made a presentation and a documentary on the occasion. The conference provided a wide visibility to NIAASC and led to positive vibrations about the association. The conference planned and coordinated by a group of dedicated individuals led by Dr. Ashok Sapre was a great success and hopefully would lead to an initiation of an ongoing follow up for the benefit of seniors, particularly in the areas of housing and financial planning. Mr. & Mrs. Prasad along with Dr. Samir K. Dutta represented NIAASC at this conference

Senior Citizen Center of New York (Vaishnav Temple): (196-43 Foothill Avenue, Holliswood, NY)

On January 30^th, 2005, the Center celebrated India’s Republic Day at the Gujarati Community Auditorium in Queens, New York. A number of organizations collaborated. Dr. Ashwin Pandya, founder of the Senior Citizens Center and NIAASC President spoke eloquently about the Republic Day importance and also dwelt on various activities of the Center. The Center, which meets alternate Saturdays at the Vaishnav Temple in Holliswood, will expand further by meeting every Saturday effective May 2005. For further information contact Chandubhai Patel at 718-776-3619. Mr. Patel is a life member of NIAASC.

The India Association of Long Island holds a monthly assembly for the benefit of seniors and their families at the Huntington Senior Citizens Center run by the Town Government of Huntington. Mr. Sunil Uppal, chair of the IALI Senior Citizens Committee, and Mr. Ardaman Singh Madan are making serious efforts to spread the word so the Town residents can take advantage of services and programs conducted there. Just a few months old, the program is conducted on the fourth Saturday from 2:00 to 5:00 P.M. In addition, the IALI arranges one or two senior luncheons every year. The upcoming Senior Luncheon will take place on Saturday, May 21, 2005 at 12:00 noon at the Sitar restaurant in Huntington, and would present a talk for the benefit of seniors followed by a cultural program. All are invited to attend. For more information you may contact Sunil Uppal at 631-499-3059

The Hindu Temple Society of North America: (Bowne Street, Flushing, Queens, NY)

The program for seniors is conducted every Wednesday from 10:00 to 3:00. It is being held at the new premises dedicated to Senior Citizens across the Street opposite to the Main Temple Complex. in Main Street, Flushing. The program activities include Yoga, Meditation, Pranayama, Gita Study Circle, Veda Chanting, Garland-making during Puja festivals, discussions on health-related topics by specially invited experts in the field and visits to nearby temples. NY City has donated a 16-seater van to the Senior program. The program is open to all, and for more information you may contact Mrs.. Nirmala Ramasubramanian at 718- 969-1827, who is also a life member of NIAASC

Senior Citizens Forum by LI Gujarati Cultural Society: ( 39 Montauk Highway, Blue Point, NY)

The program is held last Sunday of every month from 2:00 to 4:30 P.M. in Blue Point, Suffolk County. This year-old activity is getting more and more popular and the Town of Brookhaven provides the space and other logistical support to the program. It is coordinated by Mr. Praful Shah, who is a also a life member of NIAASC. For information call Praful Shah: 631-471-7799

Indian American Kerala Cultural & Civic Center Senior Program: ( 1824 Fairfax Street, Elmont, NY)

The Kerala Center conducts the program on the last Monday of the month in the evening from 7:00 to 9:30. All are welcome to attend. They too have varied activities. NIAASC works very closely with the Kerala Center. For information call 516-358-2000.

United Hindu Cultural Council Senior Center: (118-09 Sutter Avenue, South Ozone Park, NY)

Meets everyday Monday thru Friday 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. (funded by the Office of Aging, NY), for information, call 718-323-8900

Guru Gobind Singh Senior Center at Plainview Gurudwara (Old Country Road, Plainview, NY)

Meets every Thursday 11:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. Program is coordinated and conducted by Mr. Ardaman Singh Madan.

There are about one dozen Senior Programs in the state of New Jersey. We were not able to get updated information on all. We will be able to publish this information in our next issue. Meanwhile if you wish to know the senior programs in New Jersey, you may contact Mr. Raman Shah, President, Indo-American Seniors Organization of New Jersey, at 732-283-8666