Welcome to IAF

Together, We Can Make A Difference

Mark your calender - IAF upcoming Events in year 2008:

Navratri celebration on Saturday, September 27, 2008

Click here to forward the flyer to your family and friends.

Click here to know more about this festival.

Come Celebrate Navratri with your friends & family. Bring your Non Indian Friends & Introduce them to the Indian Dances: Garba & Dandia Raas
PLACE: Stafford Civic Center (New)
              10505 Cash Road,Stafford,Tx 77477
DATE:   Saturday, September 27, 2008
TIME:       7:00 pm – 12:00 pm
TICKETS: $10. 00 per person.  Free Parking
Children under 5 Free
MUSIC BY: Shridevi   Group
AARTI SPONSOR: As before, those who wish to sponsor Aarti, can do so for only $ 101.00

For Tickets & More Information Please Contact:
Shefali Jhaveri 832-455-8624 Ranjit Arora 281-265-2518
Vijay Bhuchar 281-980-3332 Tanaz Choudhury 713-532-7009
Shashi Jajoo 281-980-9765   Gogi Dugal    281-242-2409
Shoba Joshi    832-878-4338 Ami Kapadia 281-565-4590
Maya Mehta   281-494-6292   Hansa Patel 281-565-0521
Jasmine Patel   281-265-1714 Rashmi Sharma 281-242-0627
Rashmi Shelat    281-242-4169 Ruby Agrawal 281-242-8280

IAF's 5th Diwali celebration on October 17th, 2008

Unless we think of others and do something for them, we miss one of the greatest source of happiness

Indo American Forum Of Fort Bend
Diwali Gala Friday , Oct. 17th , 2008
Texas Safari Ranch, Magnolia Ball Room
7:30 -Midnight

Dear Friends:

The Indo American Forum of Fort Bend (IAF) is pleased to invite you to their 5th Annual Diwali Gala celebrations, on Friday, October 17th, 2008 at 7:30 P.M. at the Texas Safari Ranch, MAGNOLIA Ball Room. Please mark your calendars for a fun filled evening. The theme this year is the rich heritage of the city of Mumbai. IAF Invites you, your family and friends to come and enjoy the Diwali festivities with a Mumbai flavor .
Tickets will be sold on a first come first serve basis. Early reservations are encouraged since the previous four years have been over subscribed. We encourage you to sponsor a table, not only to guarantee confirmed seating with close friends and relatives but also to renew your support to IAF. As always, we encourage you to invite your non-Indian friends to expose them to India & its rich heritage
Below are the various levels of sponsorships:

GALA UNDERWRITER: $ 10,000.00

Two tables of 8, OR option to sit with invited dignitary

Recognition in the Diwali brochure and on the IAF web site and media articles

Display Banner at the Event

Full page advertisement on the back cover of the Diwali brochure

8 Admission Tickets to Navratri Celebration

Special Recognition on Navratri celebration on September 27 at Stafford Civic Center

30 Drink Tickets at Diwali Gala

GALA Sponsors: $ 2500.00 per table

One table of 8 OR option to sit with invited dignitary

Recognition in the Diwali brochure and on the IAF web site and in media articles

Display Banner at the Event

Premier full page advertisement included

4 Admission Tickets to Navratri Celebration

Special Recognition on Navratri celebration on September 27 at the Stafford Civic Center

20 Drink Tickets at Diwali Gala

Platinum Sponsors: $ 1500.00 per table

One table of 8, OR option to sit with invited dignitary

Recognition in the Diwali brochure and on the IAF web site and in media articles

Premier Full page advertisement in the Diwali brochure

4 Admission Tickets to Navratri Celebration

Special Recognition on Navratri celebration on September 27 at Stafford Civic Center

16 Drink Tickets at Diwali Gala

Gold Sponsors: $ 500.00 per table

One table of 8, OR option to sit with invited dignitary

Recognition in the Diwali brochure and on the IAF web site and in media articles

Full page advertisement included

8 Drink Tickets at Diwali Gala

Individual tickets: $ 65 For IAF Members & $75 For Non Members

Advertisements:

Front Inside Cover $500 includes two free admission tickets

Back Inside Cover $500 includes two free admission tickets

Back Outside Cover $500 includes two free admission tickets

Full Page $ 300 includes two free admission tickets

Half Page $ 150

Please make your checks payable to: Indo American Forum of Fort Bend and mark it for Diwali Gala 2008, and mail it to: 4820 Techniplex Drive, Stafford, TX. 77477. Thank you. We look forward to your presence in larger numbers to further enhance the goals and missions of IAF.

For details contact: Ruby Agrawal 281-242-8280 Ranjit Arora 281 265 2518 Subodh Bhuchar 281 265 9468 Vijay Bhuchar 281 980 3330 Tanaz Choudhury 713-532-7009,  Gogi Dugal  281-242-2409 Shefali Jhaveri 832-455-8624 Shashi Jajoo 281-980-9765 Shoba Joshi 281-265-3498 Ami Kapadia 281-565-4590 Maya Mehta   281-494-6292   Rick Pal 281 491 4801 Hansa Patel 281-565-0521 Jasmine Patel   281-265-1714 Anil Shah 281-261-1101 Rashmi Sharma 281 242 0627

Click here to know more about this festival.

In appreciation of your support,
On behalf of the Board Of Trustees Of Indo American Forum Of Fort Bend,

Sincerely,

K.C.Mehta
Chairman

NAVRATRI:

'Nav' means 'nine' and 'ratri' means 'night', thus, 'Navratri' means 'nine nights'. There are many legends attached to the conception of Navratri like all Indian festivals but all of them are related to Goddess Shakti (Hindu Mother Goddess) and her various forms. Though it is one of the most celebrated festivals of Hindu calendar, it holds special significance for Gujratis and Bengalis and one can see it in the zeal and fervor of the people with which they indulge in the festive activities of the season. The first three days of Navratri are dedicated to Goddess Durga (Warrior Goddess) dressed in red and mounted on a lion, next three to Goddess Lakshmi (Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity) dressed in gold and mounted on an owl and finally, last three to Goddess Saraswati (Goddess Of Knowledge) dressed in milky white and mounted on a pure white swan.

Dandiya and Garba Rass are the highlights of the festival in Gujarat while farmer sow seeds and thank the Goddess for her blessings and pray for better yield. In olden times, this festival was associated with the fertility of Mother Earth who feed us as her children. Sweets are prepared for the celebrations and children and adults dress up in new bright-colored dresses for the night performances. With commercialization, the festival has moved on to be a social festival rather than a religious or agrarian festival. In some communities people undergo rigorous fasts during this season that lasts for the nine days of the festival, only to be opened on the tenth day of Dussehra. However, nothing dampens the spirit of the devout followers of Mother Goddess as they sing devotional songs and indulge in the gaieties of the season.

A deeper meaning of the festival Navaratri suggests the spiritual growth of a person, where one needs courage to stand up for others and protect the weaker and be able to fight the evil and their temptations. This is the first requirement of spiritual growth - to take a firm against the evil and for the good. The second requirement is to fulfill one's needs, treat the guests and help the poor. For this one needs money and the next three days of Navratri are dedicated to the worship of Lakshmi so that she would bless us with the necessary money to be put to good use. Learning virtues and good qualities and upholding one's responsibility as a sacred duty is the next requirement to the spiritual growth. Finally, Goddess Saraswati is worshipped so that she blesses us with power of knowledge and helps us to attain spiritual enlightenment.

The 9 nights festival of Navratri begins on the first day of Ashwin of the bright fortnight. The festival comes to an end on the tenth day of Vjay Dashmi or Dussehra, when the idols of the Goddess Shakti are immersed in the river. Dussehra, is thus, considered auspicious for beginning mantra incantation and renouncing the world as 'Sanyasi'. However, Navaratri has a message for people who lead worldly life too. It teaches us to surmount obstacles with the help of Durga, thank and pray to Lakshmi for her blessings and gain knowledge with the blessings of Saraswati. This done, we can find Shakti (power) within ourselves. We must also understand that Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati are different facets of a single entity, thus, representing that Mother Goddess bestow us with wealth, prosperity and knowledge and protect us too.

Top

Flags For Independence Day
On going Flags are still available, please call for details.

Flags For Independence Day

To ensure a better tomorrow for our children and grand children, we must as an individual and together as an organization, participate in civic and community duty and causes, share the joys and events of the over all community . IAF has initiated a program to distribute USA Flags for its members at a minimal price of $ 30.00 per flag. This flag can be mounted on a rod fixed to the front yard on occasions such as July 4th, Memorial Day or Veterans Day. Show your American friends and neighbors you care about their events and be a participant in their events the same way they come and celebrate Diwali and Holi with us.

For those of you who wish to purchase these flags, please let us know the number of flags you need for yourself and your friends. Please e-mail to IAF@IndoAmericanForum.Org.

Please advise friends and neighbors as well.


Together, We Can Make A Difference
	Mark your calender - IAF upcoming Events in year 2008: Navratri celebration on Saturday, September 27, 2008 Click here to forward the flyer to your family and friends. Click here to know more about this festival. Come Celebrate Navratri with your friends & family. Bring your Non Indian Friends & Introduce them to the Indian Dances: Garba & Dandia Raas PLACE: Stafford Civic Center (New) 10505 Cash Road,Stafford,Tx 77477 DATE: Saturday, September 27, 2008 TIME: 7:00 pm – 12:00 pm TICKETS: $10. 00 per person. Free Parking Children under 5 Free MUSIC BY: Shridevi Group AARTI SPONSOR: As before, those who wish to sponsor Aarti, can do so for only $ 101.00 For Tickets & More Information Please Contact: Shefali Jhaveri 832-455-8624 Ranjit Arora 281-265-2518 Vijay Bhuchar 281-980-3332 Tanaz Choudhury 713-532-7009 Shashi Jajoo 281-980-9765 Gogi Dugal 281-242-2409 Shoba Joshi 832-878-4338 Ami Kapadia 281-565-4590 Maya Mehta 281-494-6292 Hansa Patel 281-565-0521 Jasmine Patel 281-265-1714 Rashmi Sharma 281-242-0627 Rashmi Shelat 281-242-4169 Ruby Agrawal 281-242-8280 IAF's 5th Diwali celebration on October 17th, 2008 Unless we think of others and do something for them, we miss one of the greatest source of happiness Indo American Forum Of Fort Bend Diwali Gala Friday , Oct. 17th , 2008 Texas Safari Ranch, Magnolia Ball Room 7:30 -Midnight Dear Friends: The Indo American Forum of Fort Bend (IAF) is pleased to invite you to their 5th Annual Diwali Gala celebrations, on Friday, October 17th, 2008 at 7:30 P.M. at the Texas Safari Ranch, MAGNOLIA Ball Room. Please mark your calendars for a fun filled evening. The theme this year is the rich heritage of the city of Mumbai. IAF Invites you, your family and friends to come and enjoy the Diwali festivities with a Mumbai flavor . Tickets will be sold on a first come first serve basis. Early reservations are encouraged since the previous four years have been over subscribed. We encourage you to sponsor a table, not only to guarantee confirmed seating with close friends and relatives but also to renew your support to IAF. As always, we encourage you to invite your non-Indian friends to expose them to India & its rich heritage Below are the various levels of sponsorships: GALA UNDERWRITER: $ 10,000.00 Two tables of 8, OR option to sit with invited dignitary Recognition in the Diwali brochure and on the IAF web site and media articles Display Banner at the Event Full page advertisement on the back cover of the Diwali brochure 8 Admission Tickets to Navratri Celebration Special Recognition on Navratri celebration on September 27 at Stafford Civic Center 30 Drink Tickets at Diwali Gala GALA Sponsors: $ 2500.00 per table One table of 8 OR option to sit with invited dignitary Recognition in the Diwali brochure and on the IAF web site and in media articles Display Banner at the Event Premier full page advertisement included 4 Admission Tickets to Navratri Celebration Special Recognition on Navratri celebration on September 27 at the Stafford Civic Center 20 Drink Tickets at Diwali Gala Platinum Sponsors: $ 1500.00 per table One table of 8, OR option to sit with invited dignitary Recognition in the Diwali brochure and on the IAF web site and in media articles Premier Full page advertisement in the Diwali brochure 4 Admission Tickets to Navratri Celebration Special Recognition on Navratri celebration on September 27 at Stafford Civic Center 16 Drink Tickets at Diwali Gala Gold Sponsors: $ 500.00 per table One table of 8, OR option to sit with invited dignitary Recognition in the Diwali brochure and on the IAF web site and in media articles Full page advertisement included 8 Drink Tickets at Diwali Gala Individual tickets: $ 65 For IAF Members & $75 For Non Members Advertisements: Front Inside Cover $500 includes two free admission tickets Back Inside Cover $500 includes two free admission tickets Back Outside Cover $500 includes two free admission tickets Full Page $ 300 includes two free admission tickets Half Page $ 150 Please make your checks payable to: Indo American Forum of Fort Bend and mark it for Diwali Gala 2008, and mail it to: 4820 Techniplex Drive, Stafford, TX. 77477. Thank you. We look forward to your presence in larger numbers to further enhance the goals and missions of IAF. For details contact: Ruby Agrawal 281-242-8280 Ranjit Arora 281 265 2518 Subodh Bhuchar 281 265 9468 Vijay Bhuchar 281 980 3330 Tanaz Choudhury 713-532-7009, Gogi Dugal 281-242-2409 Shefali Jhaveri 832-455-8624 Shashi Jajoo 281-980-9765 Shoba Joshi 281-265-3498 Ami Kapadia 281-565-4590 Maya Mehta 281-494-6292 Rick Pal 281 491 4801 Hansa Patel 281-565-0521 Jasmine Patel 281-265-1714 Anil Shah 281-261-1101 Rashmi Sharma 281 242 0627 Click here to know more about this festival. In appreciation of your support, On behalf of the Board Of Trustees Of Indo American Forum Of Fort Bend, Sincerely, K.C.Mehta Chairman NAVRATRI: 'Nav' means 'nine' and 'ratri' means 'night', thus, 'Navratri' means 'nine nights'. There are many legends attached to the conception of Navratri like all Indian festivals but all of them are related to Goddess Shakti (Hindu Mother Goddess) and her various forms. Though it is one of the most celebrated festivals of Hindu calendar, it holds special significance for Gujratis and Bengalis and one can see it in the zeal and fervor of the people with which they indulge in the festive activities of the season. The first three days of Navratri are dedicated to Goddess Durga (Warrior Goddess) dressed in red and mounted on a lion, next three to Goddess Lakshmi (Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity) dressed in gold and mounted on an owl and finally, last three to Goddess Saraswati (Goddess Of Knowledge) dressed in milky white and mounted on a pure white swan. Dandiya and Garba Rass are the highlights of the festival in Gujarat while farmer sow seeds and thank the Goddess for her blessings and pray for better yield. In olden times, this festival was associated with the fertility of Mother Earth who feed us as her children. Sweets are prepared for the celebrations and children and adults dress up in new bright-colored dresses for the night performances. With commercialization, the festival has moved on to be a social festival rather than a religious or agrarian festival. In some communities people undergo rigorous fasts during this season that lasts for the nine days of the festival, only to be opened on the tenth day of Dussehra. However, nothing dampens the spirit of the devout followers of Mother Goddess as they sing devotional songs and indulge in the gaieties of the season. A deeper meaning of the festival Navaratri suggests the spiritual growth of a person, where one needs courage to stand up for others and protect the weaker and be able to fight the evil and their temptations. This is the first requirement of spiritual growth - to take a firm against the evil and for the good. The second requirement is to fulfill one's needs, treat the guests and help the poor. For this one needs money and the next three days of Navratri are dedicated to the worship of Lakshmi so that she would bless us with the necessary money to be put to good use. Learning virtues and good qualities and upholding one's responsibility as a sacred duty is the next requirement to the spiritual growth. Finally, Goddess Saraswati is worshipped so that she blesses us with power of knowledge and helps us to attain spiritual enlightenment. The 9 nights festival of Navratri begins on the first day of Ashwin of the bright fortnight. The festival comes to an end on the tenth day of Vjay Dashmi or Dussehra, when the idols of the Goddess Shakti are immersed in the river. Dussehra, is thus, considered auspicious for beginning mantra incantation and renouncing the world as 'Sanyasi'. However, Navaratri has a message for people who lead worldly life too. It teaches us to surmount obstacles with the help of Durga, thank and pray to Lakshmi for her blessings and gain knowledge with the blessings of Saraswati. This done, we can find Shakti (power) within ourselves. We must also understand that Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati are different facets of a single entity, thus, representing that Mother Goddess bestow us with wealth, prosperity and knowledge and protect us too. Top Flags For Independence Day On going Flags are still available, please call for details. Flags For Independence Day To ensure a better tomorrow for our children and grand children, we must as an individual and together as an organization, participate in civic and community duty and causes, share the joys and events of the over all community . IAF has initiated a program to distribute USA Flags for its members at a minimal price of $ 30.00 per flag. This flag can be mounted on a rod fixed to the front yard on occasions such as July 4th, Memorial Day or Veterans Day. Show your American friends and neighbors you care about their events and be a participant in their events the same way they come and celebrate Diwali and Holi with us. For those of you who wish to purchase these flags, please let us know the number of flags you need for yourself and your friends. Please e-mail to IAF@IndoAmericanForum.Org. Please advise friends and neighbors as well.