Ms. Indu Jain, Managing Editor, The Times of India, convened a special meeting of select NGO's at her residence as part of the Times Foundation project. Mr. Nanik Rupani, Chairman and Ms. Gwyneth Alphonso, Senior Executive Officer, Priyadarshni Academy, were invited to participate in the meeting.

After presentations by each of the NGO's on their profile and goals, the group discussed how best they could supplement each other's needs and thus create a viable platform for the functioning of NGO's in India. Ms. Indu Jain, was keen on promoting 'service to humanity' as a philosophy of life especially through The Times of India's Times Foundation and the various NGO's.

Shri. Nanik Rupani, Chairman, Priyadarshni Academy, participated in the Save Ganga network launched by Osho World Foundation held at the Gandhi Sangrahalaya, New Delhi. Dr. Vijay Bhatkar, well-known scientist was the co-ordinator.

A comprehensive website and on-line services on Ganga and other rivers will provide connectivity, content, educational and tourist information through the on-line form to be launched soon.

Smt. Padma Tatapudy, Kuchipudi dance artiste, presented a Kuchipudi dance recital and ballet 'Krishan Parijatam' with artistes of the Kuchipudi Kala Kendra for the National Centre for the Performing Arts programme. The programme at its Godrej Dance Academy's auditorium was supported and co-sponsored by the Priyadarshni Academy and represented by Ms. Gwyneth Alphonso, Senior Executive Officer, Priyadarshni Academy.

Padma was one of the first artistes to be featured in the 'National Integration Programme through Dances and Music' series of the Priyadarshni Academy. She has presented many group performances through Devi Fine Arts Society of which she is Founder-Director.

The Annual Fellowship night of The Indo American Chamber of Commerce was held in association with Priyadarshni Academy and was graced by the Consul General of U.S.A. - Mr. David and Mrs. IIa Good, President, Mr. John Battersby and Members of Indo American Chamber of Commerce, Members of the Consular Corps, Chambers of Commerce, International Associations and members of Fortune 500 companies.

After the welcome speech by Mr. Battersby, Priyadarshni Academy Chairman, Mr. Nanik Rupani addressed the gathering. He stated that the Academy was happy to be associated with the Indo American Chamber of Commerce in making the Annual Fellowship night a grand success and that it marked the beginning of a long relationship between the two Associations. The highlight was a fashion show by the well-known Ms. Nisha Sagar. A galaxy of stars and top models displayed her glamorous creations in a well-choreographed show compered by the lively Ruby Bhatia.

The Indo American Chamber of Commerce felicitated a galaxy of stars from different walks of life. They included Pankaj Udhas, Dino Morea, Talat Aziz, Aftab Shivdasani and Suneeta Rao. The crowd was agog with excitement and delight cheering all who received the memento of appreciation.

Amar Shaheed Hemu Kalani Yadgar Mandal organised a grand celebration in order to commemorate the 58th Martyrdom day of Amar Shaheed Hemu Kalani in a grand style. The event was organised on 21st January, 2002 at Hemu Kalani Memorial Building, Chembur.

The special dignitaries at the event were Chief Guest - Shri. Kirit Somaiya and Guests of Honour Shri. Nanik Rupani Chairman, Priyadarshni Academy, Shri. Jhamatmal Wadhwani, Chairman, Vivekanand Education Society and Shri. Pramod Shirvalkar (MLA) Chembur.

Mr. Nanik Rupani, Chairman, Priyadarshni Academy in his speech highlighted the great sacrifice by Hemu Kalani who became a martyr for his country at the young age of eighteen years. He said that it was the prerogative of every Indian, especially the Sindhi community, to contribute and co-operate towards building a monument in memory of the martyr, as a symbol of aspiration of the values he stood for. Priyadarshni Academy promised a financial assistance of Rs. 1 Lakh to the Women's welfare project of the Mandal, to be soon launched.

Nupur Zankar Academy of Performing Arts presented 'Sanskriti Mahotsav', a programme of Kathak dance by well-known Kathak dancer-choreographer, Smt. Shila Mehta and her students, at the Iskcon Auditorium, Iskcon temple, Juhu beach.

Katha is the art of story telling and Kathakaar the story-teller. 'Katha kahe so Kathak' goes the popular saying. The Kathakaar was an important feature of society in ancient times. The event was supported by Priyadarshni Academy in its endeavor to preserve the country's heritage through the promotion of Indian performing arts and artists.

Shri. Nanik Rupani, Chairman, Priyadarshni Academy along with Shri. Arvind Jolly, President, Indian Merchants' Chamber organised a Talk by the esteemed and revered Dada P.Vaswani on the theme 'Change your Attitude : Change your Life'.

The talk held at the Walchand Hirachand Hall, Indian Merchants' Chamber, Churchgate, had the audience, totally absorbed and elevated by Dada's words of guidance and wisdom.

Priyadarshni Academy's division - the Priyadarshni Laughter Club, celebrated its Eighth Anniversary on 11th November 2001. The event was well attended by over two hundred participants representing twenty-five clubs from all over Mumbai. The event had coverage by the press and electronic media. The programme included demonstrations of the various types of laughter as well as the relevant exercises usually done by the different clubs.

The Chief Guest for the event was Mr. K. C. Shrivastav, Municipal Commissioner of Mumbai. The Municipal Commissioner presented all the representatives of the various clubs with a book on laughter, the Priyadarshni Academy profile, a cap and a rose. The Laughter Club first established in 1993 has grown to about sixty laughter clubs in India, several in London and in U.S.A. too.

Dr. Vijay Bhatkar, Chairman, India International Multiversity's Vedic Research Centre envisioned and planned the inaugural function of the National Seminar on 'Human Mind and Machine' that was organised by the Centre for Advanced Studies in Sanskrit, University of Pune. It was held from October 29 to 31, 2001, at the Dnyaneshwar Sabhagraha University of Pune, in collaboration with the India International Multiversity's Vedic Research Centre, a joint project with Priyadarshni Academy. The programme was well attended by philosophers, scientists and scholars across India.

The Priyadarshni Academy's Scholarship Function was also organised on the same day. Mr. Nanik Rupani, Chairman, Priyadarshni Academy announced prestigious scholarships of Rs. 10,000/- for higher studies to deserving students to enable them to continue to excel in their chosen fields. The Scholarships were presented, at the function of National Integration through Dance & Music to 15 deserving and financially needy students as a helping hand to those who have no means to support their academic pursuits.

Priyadarshni Academy held the programme of classical music under the project "National Integration through Dance and Music" which was launched to promote versatile talent in Indian Classical music and dance to enhance awareness and interest in our rich heritage. On 13th October, 2001, the programme at the Nehru Centre Auditorium commenced with innovatory renditions by the Bharatiya Sangeet Group under the baton of Smt. Shashikala Kaikini followed by a Hindustani vocal recital by Aditi Kaikini Upadhya accompanied by Satyajit Talwalkar on the tabla. Later it was Kavita Das Rooj on the Mohan Veena and a jugalbandi performance by flautist Sunil Kant Gupta and Carnatic violinist Shri. K. Shivakumar accompanied by Shri. Vibhav Nageshkar and Shri. V. Shyam Sunder on the tabla and mridangam respectively. The performance were received with great appreciation by valued patrons, special invitees and connoisseurs of Indian classical music and dance.

Mr. Nanik Rupani thanked Shri. Ashok Chavan, Minister for Revenue and Protocol, the Chief Guest and Shri. Uday Kotak, Vice-Chairman, Kotak Mahindra Finance Ltd., the Guest of Honour for their gracious presence. Mr. Rupani also expressed his gratitude to Shri. Niranjan Hiranandani for his support and sponsorship to make the Academy's promotion of young artistes possible. Ms. Poonam Dhillon associated with the Academy since its inception, lauded the project and said that it was artistes who truly contributed to National Integration.

The programme compered by Mr. Kishan Sharma ended with the vote of thanks proposed by Ms. Madhavi Vora, Chairperson, 'National Integration through Dance and Music', Priyadarshni Academy.

As part of the initiative by Mr. Nanik Rupani, Chairman, Priyadarshni Academy to promote Vedic research and awareness, Mrs. Jaya Row, Chairperson of the Academy's Committee for 'Vedic Studies for Human Development', toured Bangkok and Hongkong from the 4th to 12th September to highlight the importance of Vedic Studies in today's context. Mr. Bob Harilela at Hongkong and Mr. Vashi Purswani at Bangkok graciously hosted Ms Row's trip.

Her discourses and lectures dwelled on these and similar topics: Beating the Stress Bug, Vedic Insights for the Internet Era, Achieving Leadership through Creative Thinking, Creative Management through Inspiration, Empowering oneself with Positive Thinking, Vedanta-Values for all times and its principles that can lead to excellence in the new millennium, Motivation and tension-free Art of Living through Ancient Philosophical Knowledge of India. The audience was spellbound by here virtuosity and greatly appreciated the lectures.

A meeting was held at the office of Smt. Neela Satyanarayana - Principal Secretary, Food and Civil Supplies, at the Mantralaya, to discuss ways of providing nutrition (mid-day meal) to school children. The meeting discussed possible ways of involving Parent-teacher associations to better implement the scheme. Dr. Ratna Magotra, C.E.O. represented the Academy, the only voluntary organization to have been invited at the meeting.

In continuing the project of Vedic Research, Mr. Nanik Rupani, Chairman of the Priyardarshni Academy called a meeting of the committee on 'VEDIC STUDIES FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT' at the Enkay Telecom office, Worli, Mumbai.

The committee discussed the upcoming tour to Bangkok and Hongkong by Smt. Jaya Row, well-known Vedanta scholar and Chairperson of the committee. Members - Ms. Maya Shahani, Shri. Vasant Saraf, Ms. Manju Malkani, Ms. Mala Aggarwal, Ms. Geeta Mirchandani and Ms. Advani were present to deliberate on the modalities of sponsorship and content of her talks.

Ms. Jaya Row stated that she would speak on The Techniques of Right Action, Happiness to Individuals, Harmony in Relationships and Society, and Pathway to Spiritual Realization, applicable to all in day to day life. Ms. Rupani informed that Mr. Bob Harilela at Hongkong and Mr. Vashi Purswani at Bangkok were hosting Ms. Row. Dr. Ratna Magotra, C.E.O. and Ms. Deepali Tikare, P.R.O., Priyadarshni Academy were also present.

The Vedic Research Centre of India International Multiversity (IIMV) and Priyadarshni Academy along with Shri Ambika Yog Sanshodhan Pratishthan organised 'The Annual Convention of Yoga of Well-Being' at the Pune University Lawns.

The function was presided by Swami Swarupanand Saraswat. Gandhian, Padmabhushan Shri. Balasaheb Bharde, Shri. V. Ranganathan, Chief Secretary, Govt. of Maharashtra and Dr. E.V. Chitnis, Chairman, Press Trust of India, were the Guests of Honour. The Vedic Research Centre was represented by Dr. Vijay P. Bhatkar; IIMV, Guruvarya Kisan Maharaj Sakhare and Shri Vivek Sawant and Priyardarshni Academy by its Chairman, Shri. Nanik Rupani, Mrs. Geeta Rupani, Dr. Jaya Row, Mrs. Geeta Mirchandani, Ms. Deepa Jeswani and Dr. Ratna Magotra, CEO. In their address, to the large number of dignitaries engaged in a similar cause, Dr. Vijay Bhatkar and Shri Rangananthan lauded the initiative and efforts taken by Shri. Nanik Rupani, Chairman of Priyadarshni Academy in jointly starting the Vedic Research Centre at Pune, in association with the India International Multiversity.

A team from Denmark visited Priyadarshini Park, Mumbai to study the concept of Laughter Therapy. They interviewed Shri. Kishore Kuvavala and also recorded the Laughter programme held there.

The Amar Shaheed Hemu Kalani Yadgar Mandal invited Shri. Nanik Rupani to be the Guest of Honour to commemorate the 57th martyrdom day of the youngest student martyr of India-Amar Shaheed Hemu Kalani. Hemu Kalani sacrificed his life at the young age of 19 years for the cause of the nation's freedom struggle. While in jail he consoled his parents saying that they had taught him the wonderful lesson that the 'soul is immortal'!

Mr. Nanik Rupani, Chairman of the Priyadarshni Academy, was invited to inaugurate an unique exhibition of hand-made paintings by Henry Berthos from Switzerland. The exhibition was held at Hotel Taj. Berthos, a Swiss expressionist trained in Swiss and German schools found this form best suited to the transmission of artistic intuition.

Umang Publications organized "Aaj Phir Jine Ki Tamanna Hai" a programme for Senior Citizens held at the Patkar Hall. Shri. Kishore Kuvavala was invited to address the gathering of Senior Citizens on the concept of Laughter Therapy. Shri. Kuvavala along with members of his team demonstrated and encouraged around 700 Senior Citizens to participate in the various types of laughter.

Eminent personalities from diverse fields were invited for their inputs on Vedic Research Studies at a Meeting organized at the Indian Merchant's Chamber at 5.00 p.m. The meeting had as its Chief Guest Shri. Shivraj Patil, M.P. and Chairman - Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance, whose very presence made a strong statement about the need and support for the project. Notable personalities included Ms. Jaya Row, Vedanta and Bhagawad Gita scholar, Shri.Siddarth Arya, Chief Reporter, United News of India, Ms. Deepa Jeswani, Research Student - Vedic Mathematics, Principal Shri. M.G. Shrihatti, Lala Lajpatrai College, Shri. Govind Swaroop, Principal Secretary, Department of Culture, Maharashtra, Shri. V. Ranganathan, Municipal Commissioner, BMC, Shri. K.K. Ramani, Leading Tax Consultant, Shri. Anant Pai, Editor, Amar Chitra Katha, Shri. Dinesh Parekh, President, Thane-Belapur Industries Association, Chairman IMC, Navi Mumbai, Shri. Prem Sagar, well-known Producer-Director, Shri. Sushil Jiwrajka, Chairman, Maharashtra State Council (FICCI) Western Region, Dr. V. Subramaniam, President, Shri Shanmukhananda Fine Arts And Sangeetha Sabha, Mr. Akhil Shahani, Ajax Communications Pvt. Ltd., Ms. Maya Shahani, Prominent Educationalist and Social Worker, Shri. Gerson D'Cunha, well-known theatre personality and social worker, among many others.

Mr. Rupani, in his welcome address stated that the initiative found concrete soil with the proposal of Dr. Vijay Bhatkar, eminent scientist of the ETH Research Laboratory, to set up jointly a Vedic Research Centre tieing up with the multiversity at Pune, to explore chiefly in the areas of Vedic Mathematics, Vedic View of the Universe, Nature of Mind and Nature of Knowledge.

The West Korean Broadcasting Team visited Priyadarshni Park, Mumbai, with their topmost film star Shri. Lee. They too participated in the Laughter Therapy in progress. The proceedings were captured on film to help popularize the concept in Korea. Shri. Kuvavala was also interviewed.

A talk on the various aspects of Laughter Therapy was held at the Japanese Consulate Office of New Delhi. The information was to be published in a Japanese Newspaper / Magazine.

Mr. Nanik Rupani participated in a public meeting on 'Arbitrary Transfers of Civil Servants' at the Indian Merchants' Chamber. The meeting, presided by Smt. Sharayu Daftary, was attended by experienced officials from the Bureaucracy and Government like Shri. B.G. Deshmukh, IAS (Retd.), Chairman, Action for good governance and Networking in India, Shri. J.F. Ribeiro, IPS (Retd.), Chairman, Anti Corruption Cell, IMC, Shri. Nana Chudasama, former Sheriff of Mumbai and Shri. D.M. Sukhtankar IAs (Retd.), former Municipal Commissioner, Mumbai.

They deliberated on the subject of selective transfers of officers for achieving personal objectives rather than facilitating human management and administrative convenience. The appointing of an ombudsman to monitor such transfers, which had become rampant especially since 1992, abetting corruption, was a favoured solution at the meeting.

Laughter demonstrations were conducted by Shri. Kishore Kuvavala and his team to more than 850 participants. The two day programme was aired on the local television network for three days helping start off a number of Laughter Clubs in Surat. Shri. Thakorebhai Nayak has been given the responsibility for promoting the Laughter movement in South Gujarat by Shri. Kishor Kuvavala.

A talk on Laughter Therapy was organized in Surat by Shri. Thakorebhai Nayak. A team of fourteen members of the Priyadarshni Laughter Club International with the Chairman, Shri. Kishore Kuvavala addressed the mammoth gathering of over 1500. Shri. Ajaybhai Choksi, Mayor of Surat, Shri. Guruprasad Mahapatra, Municipal Commissioner of Surat were among the dignitaries present.

Clean Mumbai Foundation along with BMC, Earth wise and the Ladies Wing of Indian Merchants Chamber launched the campaign, 'Put Plastic/Recyclable in its right place'. Mr. V. Ranganathan, Municipal Commissioner of Greater Bombay as the Chief Guest, distributed 80/100 litre dustbins to schools and colleges of 'D' ward. The project was also supported by the Malabar Hill Citizen's Forum, Cumballa Resident's Forum, Priyadarshni Academy, I Love Mumbai and AYBI, Inner Wheel Club of Bombay Central and sponsored by The Indian Centre for Plastics in Environment (ICPE).

Shri Kishore Kuvavala made known the benefits of laughter therapy to the Shri Bhid Bhajan Parshivarnath Mitra Mandal which had a gathering of over 500 held at Shrikunj, Mulund (West).

Shri. Kishore Kuvavala Chairman, Priyadarshni Laughter Club and other experts addressed the Lions Club, Kandivali (East) and Borivali (West) at Party Hall No. 1 on the practice and benefits of Laughter Therapy.