Our Vanzas’ popular programme, Samuh Bhajans, for 2009 was held on Sunday 12 April at The Archbishop Lanfranc School, Croydon. From 12.30pm our members, bandhus and their friends started to arrive and on their arrival they were welcomed by our vice-chairman and greeted with ‘tilak’ on the forehead by the members of the VCSL Youth Committee.

All our guests were directed towards the dining hall for a delicious meal before they settled in the main function hall where the programme started with chanting of Hanuman Chalisa and Dhoon followed by meaningful and melodious Bhajans sung by Shree Bhikhubhai Chudasama and his ‘mandli’. Our own young Vikesh Manubhai Champaneri was also given a chance to sing a bhajan and very surprisingly Sunitaben Chudasama, the treasurer of the Wanza Samaj UK and a loyal supporter of VCSL also managed to add her sweet voice with the ‘mandli’(supported by her two colleagues from the floor!!). No doubt, there were many supporters who were delighted to hear these bhajans from both, Vikesh and Sunitaben.

The honour to lead the ‘Hingraj Maa ni Aarti’ was given to Kashiben Jethalal Vaghela and Manubhai Champaneri with their respective families. There are many families who have supported us for many years and we persevere to reciprocate different families each year, in this honourable manner. The chairman welcomed our guests and pointed out that VCSL is grateful not only to our Vanza bandhus but also to non-Vanzas who have given their support over many years. Shantilalbhai Dudakia, our staunch supporter, briefly explained the significance of our Annual Samuh Bhajan programme and gave a touching speech thereby strengthening our commitment to deliver the best for our members. Our secretary gave the vote of thanks to all the volunteers who assisted our committee members in their duties and also the attendees’ who had come from as far away as East, West and North London, Leicester, Manchester, Birmingham and Coventry. She also conveyed her thanks to Manjulaben Madhavji Tank for her donation-in-kind of pocket-sized Gita that were distributed to all who attended this auspicious event.

The eagerly awaited ‘Loti Utsav’ commenced with a gracious procession by the ladies followed by very enjoyable traditional dances/garbas. The programme ended with peace and harmony, all joining in the Samuh Aarti. Thereafter, the audience were offered some more Nashto Paani/Prasad and were wished a safe journey home.

Our guests were delighted with the warm reception given to them. They said that the food was excellent, decorations in the foyer and the main hall were very artistic and that the programme was well organised and that they were looking forward to attending our next programme!