BLOOMINGDALE, ILLINOIS, June 25, 2017 - The June 2017 Bhartiya Senior Citizens of Chicago (BSC) program was organized to highlight massive issue of blindness in India and to engage BSC members to help needy blind people in India. In addition, to empower our younger generation, two educational topics were discussed. These three topics were delivered by Dr. Manu Vora, President of Blind Foundation for India (BFI) and Fulbright Specialist appointed by the U. S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational & Cultural Affairs. Deputy Counsel General, Shri O. P. Meena was Chief Guest at the Program. There were around 500 people in attendance including about 12-15 youngsters. The Program was well received by all the attendees.

Dr. Vora highlighted the plight of over 15 million blind people in India which translates to one out of every three blind people in the world. He also shared exponential power of prevention such as $1 of Vitamin A drops administered from age 4-6, prevents the child from going blind. Also, in India it costs only $20 per Cataract operation, compared to $4,000 in the US, a multiplier of 200. With the lead from Haribhai Patel,
President of BSC, there was an outpouring support to BFI resulting in a generous collection of $20,000 during the Program towards donation of a Medical Mobile Van in India.

The first education presentation focused on how to get admission at Elite Schools (Ivy League). Dr. Vora shared a roadmap to follow to successfully secure an admission at an Elite School. This includes eight key areas comprising: 1) Most Difficult Course Work Available, 2) High School GPA, 3) Class Rank, 4) SAT I Score, 5) SAT II Subject Scores (English, Math, Science, etc.), 6) Customized Letter of Recommendations, 7) Essays (Authenticity and Love of Learning), and 8) Community Service (Within and Outside School). If these issues are planned well in high school, they may open doors for scholarship for an undergraduate study.

In the second education presentation Dr. Vora provided tips on how to succeed at an University. He focused on the importance of proper planning and selection of a branch of study based on individual interests and strengths. He gave a peak into the power of Theory of Strength and how it can aid in a successful journey at an university and in professional careers. He emphasized critical skills needed to succeed in the 21st
Century and how to shore up soft skills. Clearly, the guidance he provided is useful for having a fulfilling, meaningful, and successful professional careers.

After three presentations, Dr. Prataprai Kabariya entertained the audience with his Kathiawadi Diaro. Haribhai Patel, Rakshika Anjaria, Dr. Pratima Shah, Parashottam Pandya, and Jayanti Oza felicitated Deputy Counsel General Shri O. P. Meena and Dr. Manu Vora. A delicious dinner was enjoyed by all the attendees at the end.

For further information about BSC and its programs, visit http://www.bscofchicago.org/ .

Bhartiya Senior Citizens of Chicago focuses on blindness in India