Blog

Raju Srivastava, is an Indian comedian and actor. He ventured into stand-up comedy with the talent show The Great Indian Laughter Challenge and finished as second runner-up, subsequently taking part in the spin-off, The Great Indian Laughter Challenge – Champions, in which he won the title of “The King of Comedy”.

Raju Srivastava wanted to become a comedian since childhood. He started his career by doing small roles in Bollywood films. He had a part in the Rajshri Productions movie Maine Pyar Kiya and other roles in various movies such as Baazigar and Bombay to Goa. He worked as an actor and comedian in the Bollywood movie Aamdani Atthanni Kharcha Rupaiya. Courtesy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raju_Srivastav

This conversation was recorded many years back – while you listen – in to it today, do also keep Raju Srivastava in your prayers and wish him good health. The conversation will be aired today, 22nd August, on our show, Saat Samundar Paar, on MeraSangeet Gold – at 9:00AM,1:00 PM,5:00 PM and 9:00 PM – EST. You can also catch the interview on MeraSangeet East at 11:00 AM and 6:00 PM – EST

Talat Aziz is one of the finest Ghazal singers of India and came across as a wonderful human being – talking with ease and singing along.

Talat Aziz took his initial training in music from Kirana Gharana. He was trained primarily by Ustad Samad Khan and later by Ustad Faiyyaz Ahmed Khan. After the initial training, Aziz learnt music from the Ghazal maestro Mehdi Hassan.

Talat Aziz released his first album in Feb 1980, under the baton of Jagjit Singh. Jagjit Singh composed this album titled “Jagjit Singh presents Talat Aziz”. This was a runaway hit Subsequently, in 1981 Khayyam Saheb, music director introduced Talat Aziz in the classic film Umrao Jaan with the famous ghazal Zindagi Jab Bhi and followed it by Bazaar, with Phir Chidi Raat which he sang along with Lata Mangeshkar. Courtesy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talat_Aziz

Do listen – in to this conversation, recorded many years back – yet again today, 9th September, on our show, From our Archives, on MeraSangeet Gold at 2:00 PM EST and on MeraSangeet USA at 5:00 PM – EST

Shantanu Mukherjee, known as Shaan, is an Indian singer, actor and television presenter. In 2002, he won the MTV Asia Award for Favorite Artist India for best solo album for his album Tanha Dil.

Apart from studio albums, Shaan also sang several other albums songs such as Channel Hits, Bollywood Sensation 2, Club Class, A Reason To Smile, The Ultimate Party Album, among many others. He collaborated with international singers as well. After working with blue for the song “One Love” and singing the theme song (“Shuruaat”) for the movie The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Shaan collaborated with Michael Learns to Rock for his album Tishnagi. Courtesy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaan_(singer)

Do listen – in to this conversation, recorded many years back – yet again today, 23rd August, on our show, From our Archives, on MeraSangeet Gold at 2:00 PM EST and on MeraSangeet USA at 5:00 PM – EST

Vasundhara Das is an Indian singer, musician and actress. She began training in Hindustani classical music at the age of six under her grandmother Indira Das, who ran a music school on the top of their house. Later, she joined the Lalit Kala Academy, and later studied under Pandit Parameshwar Hegde, her Guru. During her college days, she was a lead singer of a girl band and was soprano in the college choir.

Vasundhara’s films include Hey Ram (Tamil/Hindi), Monsoon Wedding, Citizen (Tamil), Ravana Prabhu (Malayalam), Lankesh Patrike (Kannada) and several others. Courtesy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vasundhara_Das

Do listen – in to this conversation, recorded many years back – yet again today, 22nd August, on our show, From our Archives, on MeraSangeet Gold at 2:00 PM EST and on MeraSangeet USA at 5:00 PM – EST

Arun Agarwal is the CEO and Director of Nextt with more than 20 years of experience in the home and consumer goods industry. He is an avid propagator of American Cotton exports and very active trader promoting US Cotton for use in the global textile industry. He has been recently named by the Texas Governor Greg Abbott, to the Texas Economic Development Corporation’s (TxEDC’s) Board of Directors.

Arun Agarwal is the Co-Founder of IACEO – Indian American CEO Council. He is the President of the City of Dallas Park & Recreation Board, and is a member of many more Boards and Committees.

Arun Agarwal is also a recipient of many awards – 2018 Awarded an Order of Merit by President Donald Trump, 2016 Asia One Global Indian of the Year Award, 2015 NRI of the Year Award by the Time Group are some of the many awards that he has been bestowed with.

Today, on the show, we talk about Arun ji’s journey from India to the US, from Boston to Dallas, from starting his company to now his new role and much more – so, today, 18th August, listen in to the rebroadcast, on our show, Saat Samundar Paar, on MeraSangeet Gold – at 9:00AM,1:00 PM,5:00 PM and 9:00 PM – EST. You can also catch the interview on MeraSangeet East at 11:00 AM and 6:00 PM – EST

Tanwi Mookherjee Prigge serves as the Vice President, India Association of Minnesota. She started volunteering at a young age for Mother Teresa and Ram Krishna Mission. She has been a resident of Minnesota for the last 15 years. An IT professional, she believes in service to others through her profession and volunteer work. She enjoys working with children and women in various communities, through her volunteer work, drama/theater/music and encourages folks to step out of their comfort zone and have fun. She is excited about Outreach and Government relations this year with IAM, working with the Indian community and the community-at-large.

Rupali Gupta serves on the Board of Directors, India Association of Minnesota. She holds her MS in Regulatory Affairs from St. Cloud State University, MN. She is a seasoned regulatory professional, currently working as a Sr. Principal Regulatory Specialist at Medtronic. She has supported coronary, peripheral, diabetes and digital health medical devices. She was born in India and immigrated to the United States in 2008. Rooted in her cultural identity, Rupali became involved with non-profit organizations having a mission to support child education, women empowerment and community engagement. Following her great interest in dance, Rupali choreographed theme based dance performances for awareness towards child education, women empowerment, and Indian culture.

Today, on the show, we talk about India Fest 2022, being organized by India Association of Minnesota – learn about the event, all that the celebrations would hold. We also about Tanwi’s and Rupali’s journey – listen in to the rebroadcast for sure, today, 12th August, to our Show, Saat Samundar Paar, on MeraSangeet Gold – at 9:00AM,1:00 PM,5:00 PM and 9:00 PM – EST. You can also catch the interview on MeraSangeet East at 11:00 AM and 6:00 PM – EST

Neil Makhija is a public interest attorney and election law professor who serves as the Executive Director of Impact. He led Impact and its affiliates through the 2020 election on their mission to engage South Asian and Indian American communities and help them run for, win, and be successful in elected office.

Neil was born and raised as a son of immigrants in Carbon County, Pennsylvania and went on to earn his law degree at Harvard Law School. In his legal work, he has represented essential workers, consumers, and the public interest.

Neil has served as president of the South Asian Bar Association in Philadelphia and is a member of the board of trustees at his alma mater, Sarah Lawrence College. He was listed as one of the “40 under 40” influential people in Pennsylvania by City & State PA. In 2021, he was chosen as one of 13 Asian American civil rights leaders to meet President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris at the White House to discuss immigration and voting rights.

So, you know for sure, this conversation is one that is not to be missed at all. In case you missed it earlier, tune – in for sure, today, 9th August, on our Show, Saat Samundar Paar, on MeraSangeet Gold – at 9:00AM,1:00 PM,5:00 PM and 9:00 PM – EST. You can also catch the interview on MeraSangeet East at 11:00 AM and 6:00 PM – EST

Does the picture look familiar – Well, this is Fuzail Rafi, grandson of the legendary Indian film playback singer, Mohammed Rafi Sahaab and he certainly is doing his family proud. He joined us from Atlanta, for this lovely conversation about his latest venture which has all us Rafi Sahaab fans excited!

We travel back in time and remember Rafi Sahaab – of all the fond memories that Fuzail has about his grandfather. We have all grown listening to Rafi Sahaab’s beautiful songs, his voice so touching our souls, and today, you get to know the person – so many things that Fuzail has to tell us.

So, while you wait to listen in to the conversation, do visit https://mohammedrafiinstitute.com/home/. Fuzail talks in detail about this on our show too.

To know more about what all Fuzail is doing , do tune in for sure, today, 6th of August, on our Hindi Radio Show, From our Archives, on MeraSangeet Gold at 2:00 PM EST and on MeraSangeet USA at 5:00 PM – EST

Vaishali Gade joined IAGB team in 2017 and now serves as the President. She earlier served as the Vice President of New England Marathi Mandal. Dancing is her passion and she has participated in many fundraising events to benefit area charitable organizations.

Maya Tamhankar is a Program Management professional, passionate about giving back to the community, and has been part of many non-profit organizations in the area. She now serves as Director, IAGB. She enjoys Indian classical music and dance and has dabbled in theater both on-stage and back-stage.

Nilesh Agrawal is a Senior it Project Manager and manages the database team globally as dba manager. He has over 20+ years of it experience. He now serves as a Director with IAGB and helps with their various initiatives such as civic collaboration. He loves music and sports.

Tanu Basu started with IAGB In her late teens, and is now running her 10th Executive term. Her Community Service ‘Mantra’ for this IAGB term is to be instrumental in enthusing the larger immigrant community to come together in synergy and also serve the Senior Community in the area.

On the show today, we talk to about the India Day celebrations and the many events that lead up to the day along with the ones that follow. So, in case you missed it earlier, tune – in for sure, today,5th August, on our Show, Saat Samundar Paar, on MeraSangeet Gold – at 9:00AM,1:00 PM,5:00 PM and 9:00 PM – EST. You can also catch the interview on MeraSangeet East at 11:00 AM and 6:00 PM – EST

Abhishek Singh, President of Federation of Indian Association, New England, talks to us about the forthcoming India Day Celebrations.

Abhishek is a software engineer, entrepreneur, social activist, and a family man, as he says. He lives in Boston. He was awarded the Leadership & Community Service Award for his best contribution to the Indo- American Society by Mr. Randhir Jaiswal, Counsel General of India, New York, on the eve of Pravasi Bhartiya Divas 2021.

Abhishek provided humanitarian services to the Indian Diaspora when the world was grappling with COVID-19. He organized massive food drives. He urged the Indian Diaspora to uphold the principles of ‘Nation First, Always First’ and be a force for positive impact. He also organized the festival of lights, Diwali and urged people to recognize the importance of ‘Jyotismati’ or ‘inner light’.

On the show today, we talk to Abhishek ji about the India Day celebrations in Boston. For details about the event, and in case you missed it earlier, tune – in for sure, today, 4th August, on our Show, Saat Samundar Paar, on MeraSangeet Gold – at 9:00AM,1:00 PM,5:00 PM and 9:00 PM – EST. You can also catch the interview on MeraSangeet East at 11:00 AM and 6:00 PM – EST