June 22nd, 2021
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ISW President's Message

Dear ISW Supporters
 
As Massachusetts returns to normal with the Governor lifting the state of emergency on June 15th, many of us are still hunkered down at home working remotely. ISW is pleased to offer a new benefit for its members who are working from home and crave a change in scenery - WFH@ISW ! Every Thursday from now thru July 31st, ISW India Center will be open from 9 am to 5 pm to members to work in one of the rooms that will be made available. You will be able to access high speed Wi-Fi and free coffee. Come on down, join fellow professionals, bring your own food (we have a microwave) and take a break from the four walls at home. Details on registration below.

If you have any other suggestions on what we can provide as a service or innovative use of our new flexibly configured space, feel free to drop a line at president@iswonline.org. Puneet Kohli, President India Society of Worcester
In Memoriam: Nalini Goyal
Nalini Goyal, a beloved member of the ISW community who is remembered fondly by many for her service, passed away peacefully at home on June 14, 2021, surrounded by her husband, children and grandchildren. Nearly 200 people attended a memorial service on Saturday, June 19th at the ISW India Center to pay their respects. She was one of the founders of the ISW Language and Cultural School and was actively involved in the community in support of survivors of domestic violence eventually setting up a nonprofit, Gifts of Hope Unlimited, that provided support to victims of relationship violence. More about her life on the ISW Website.
UPCOMING ISW EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
Professional & Entrepreneurial Network Meetup
July 10, 2021, 11:00 to 12:30 pm
In person at ISW India Center, 152 Main St. Shrewsbury

The goal of the PEN Initiative is to utilize the ISW India Center as a hub to bring together and engage professionals in the Metro West region by providing programs and activities that encourage professional growth and entrepreneurial activities. The next meeting is scheduled for July 10th, and will be led by Kelly Mittal, Founder & CEO, myKidzDay Child Care App & Early Childhood Technology Consultant (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mykidzday/). Please click here to register.
Palatable Pickles (Achaar making workshop and snacks)
July 10, 2021, 10:00 to 11:30 am
In person at ISW India Center 152 Main St., Shrewsbury

Tickle your palate, tantalize your taste buds with delectable selection of pickles! An interactive in-person culinary workshop making Indian pickles. Get samples of freshly made pickles! Limited capacity, sign up early at ISW Website!
ISW India Day
August 6th, 7th and 8th, 2021
Virtual kickoff followed by in-person events at ISW India Center, 152 Main St., Shrewsbury

After a break last year, we are thrilled to be hosting a live in-person India Day again. This year for the very first time, we will be holding the festive event at the ISW India Center spread over two days and kicked off with a virtual recap of activities on Friday. Look out for details on our ISW Website. The event is made possible by hundreds of volunteers pitching in with their enthusiasm, energy, knowledge and skills. Please sign up here for volunteering! We welcome your participation.
ISW SPECIAL MEMBER BENEFITS
Join ISW and enjoy special program access and other benefits. These programs are exclusively available to ISW members only.

WFH@ISW Thursdays
Looking for a change of scenery while Working From Home? Come on down to the ISW India Center on Thursdays for a drop in co-working experience. This exclusive FREE offering until July 31st, 2021 is for ISW members only. Bring your laptop and plug into high speed Wi-Fi, meet other working professionals, and build new connections. ISW Center will be open from 9 am to 5 pm. Hot Coffee available - Bring your own food. Click here to Register.

Say What! FREE Admission to Tower Hill Botanic Garden for ISW Members
Did you know we have an amazing Botanical Garden in Boylston with many gorgeous gardens and trails within 15 mins from India Center in Shrewsbury. You are welcome to visit and enjoy the gorgeous flowers, trails, conservatories and outdoor art installations for FREE until June 30, 2021. Only a few days left for this unique ISW Member benefit. For more info, click here.

ISW University Summer Camp
June 28 to August 13, 2021
Come join the fun this summer at ISW's Summer online Camp!! Get ready for mind blowing Math, exciting English, cool coding, Arts and Crafts and many more. Campers will meet via zoom once a week and will cost $40 for eight 1-hour sessions. Please click on this link to register your child for a class.
Usha Yadav, and Kalpana Choudhary. Advisor: Shiamin Melville
ISW EVENT RECAP
Intellectual Multitasking: Balancing Passion with Profession
By Bhawna Sadhu 
The first ever woman-centric webinar of the Women Empowering Women initiative was held on June 10th on the topic of Intellectual Multitasking: Balancing Passion with Profession. The webinar was attended by over 50 participants with Snehalata Kadam moderating an esteemed panel comprising of Prof. Terri Camesano, Dean of Graduate Studies, WPI; Aditi Taylor, Senior Vice President, MFS Investment Management; Dr Manju Sheth, President, India New England Multimedia, Creator of Chai with Manju; Yogita Miharia, Director of Quality Assurance, Oracle; Kalyani Kanuri, Senior Manager Finance, Quest Diagnostics. The session was interactive and informative and gave a necessary insight to how familial support, ambition, and pride has helped each one of these brilliant women to reach heights professionally and personally.

ISW CollegeConnect: Standardized Tests - Everything you need to know
Donna Cox of Cox Tutoring Group has been preparing students for SAT and ACT tests since 2003. During the hour and half webinar, Donna answered many of the questions parents have about standardized tests and walked the parents and students through a step by step guideline to SAT & ACT tests. She touched on the following topics:
  • Differences between the SAT and the ACT
  • Timing of tests - when the SAT and ACT are offered and when detailed reports are available
  • Timing of prep - when to start, duration of weekly tutoring
  • Difference between SAT optional and SAT blind
  • Score Choice and Superscore
  • ACT single-subject retesting
In addition, Mahathi Gopinath, a current High School student shared her experience on preparing for the SAT tests, and retakes. The webinar can be accessed here on the ISW YouTube page.
ISW Mt. Wachusett Hike
by Rajesh Khare
For a fun hike, Mount Wachusett is the Goldilocks of mountains - not too difficult for beginners and not too easy for experienced hikers. Less than 35 minutes from India Center, at 2006 feet of elevation, Wachusett offers panoramic views to Boston in the East, Mount Monadnock to the North and Mount Greylock to the West.

Around 35 to 40 intrepid hikers, including several young kids, met at the trailhead near the Wachusett Mountain Ski Area. At 70 F and sunny, it felt like the perfect weather for a hike. We took the Balance Rock trail which led to a set of photogenic glacial boulders stacked on top of each other. Then we followed the Old Indian Trail to the summit. Along the way, we crossed some ski slopes, saw many families and hikers with dogs and finally climbed up a steep section towards the end. The view at the top was spectacular! We had lunch and snacks by a beautiful pond near the summit, took pictures and then hiked back down the same path to the parking lot with plenty of time to spare for the rest of the day. In the end many people asked about the next hike, so we hope to have a larger group on the next hike we organize.

Thanks to all of you who were able to join and make this a memorable event. For everybody else, we hope to see you at the next outdoor activity!
ISW CULTURAL & LANGUAGE SCHOOL NEWS
Registration for 2021-22 session is now open!
Registration for in person classes for the next session from September 2021 to May 2022 is now open. To register, please login with the email id used when you setup your membership. An in-person Open House will be held Sunday, September 19, 2021. Classes will begin September 25th or 26th based on language selected. Click here to register.  
Ruchi Chauhan & Shiamin Melville
ISW REGULAR ACTIVITIES
ISW Free HealthStop
Wednesdays, 6:00 to 8:00 pm
ISW's FREE HealthStop, held in partnership with IMANE, is now open for in-person visits at the ISW India Center. Available to anyone regardless of their financial, immigration and insurance status. Not limited to the Indian Community. Walk-ins welcome, no appointment needed

ISW offers Free Online Yoga sessions for adults & youth
  • Daily 6.30 am Yoga by Hemant Gera
  • Mondays, 10 am Chair Yoga by Latha Radhakrishnan
  • Tuesdays & Saturdays, 11 am Chairobics by Stuti Khanna
More info on how to join on ISW Website
YOUR PROFESSIONAL SELF
To contribute to this section please contact us: ProfessionalSelf@iswonline.org Continue the conversation and join us online at the ISW LinkedIn Group
Career Exploration Series: Interview with Prof. Jagan Srinivasan
By Tanvi Gahlot, ISW Youth Reporter
 
In this interview I spoke with Professor Jagan Srinivasan, a professor at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) where he teaches students Biology and Neuroscience. In our conversation he described the basics of teaching and the importance of giving back to the community.
 
Tanvi Gahlot: What would you look for in a high school or college student if you were to hire them to work in your lab in the summer?
Prof. Jagan Srinivasan: I would look for interest and motivation. Expertise is not required for my lab. 
Read the rest of the interview and Prof. Srinivasan's advice to students interested in teaching on the ISW Website.
Update on Professional & Entrepreneurial Network June 12th Meeting
By Ragoo Raghunathan.

The first meetup of the ISW Professional and Entrepreneurial Networking (PEN) initiative was held at the newly renovated India Center on Saturday, June 12th, 2021 at 11 am. Over 20 attendees from Shrewsbury, Northboro, Southboro, Westboro, Grafton and Worcester attended the nearly two hour meeting. The attendees were accomplished professionals from diverse fields such as Computer Science, Information Technology, STEM, Medicine, Education as well as small business owners. They shared their backgrounds and how they could contribute to the community. 

A previous brainstorming session had generated over 100 ideas in 10 different categories. These ideas and some suggested activities to get the initiative started were presented to the group. Some of the activities that would be launched immediately were: 
  • Work from Home @ISW Thursdays, allowing ISW members who worked from home a change in scenery by providing free access to ISW Center on Thursdays. 
  • Monthly Meet-ups that would include seminars and workshops
  • Programs to help members through mentorship, 
  • Presentations on investing in a franchise, 
  • Educational sessions around financial planning 
The goal of the PEN Initiative is to utilize the ISW India Center as a hub to bring together and engage professionals in the Metro West region by providing programs and activities that encourage professional growth and entrepreneurial activities. The next meeting is scheduled for July 10th, and will be led by Kelly Mittal, Founder & CEO, myKidzDay Child Care App & Early Childhood Technology Consultant (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mykidzday/). Click here to register. Please feel free to contact us at pen@iswonline.org to let us know if you would like to join and participate in PEN activities.
Contact Information
India Society of Worcester
Mailing Address: PO Box 136, Shrewsbury, MA 01545
Answering Machine: 508-842-9795
Website: www.iswonline.org
Newsletter editors: newsletter@iswonline.org