Diwali Celebrations AJA NE Chapter 2007
DIWALI FESTIVAL CELEBRATION

Saturday, November 17, 2007

Respected elders, Dear friends, and Loving children:

It is time once again for the JAT community in the U.S. to get together and celebrate the festival of lights “Deepawali,” which signifies the homecoming of Lord Rama after fourteen years of exile. Diwali is also considered the incoming of Lakshmi, the goddess that brings prosperity.

The executive committee of AJA (North-East Chapter) is delighted to announce that the Diwali Festival will be celebrated on Saturday, Nov. 17 at the South Brunswick Senior Center, 540 Ridge Road, Monmouth Junction, NJ 08852

The schedule of events will be as follows:

The schedule of events will be as follows:
5:30 – 6:30pm Snacks & Informal chitchat
6:30 – 7:00pm Laxmi Puja and Aarti
7:00 - 8:30pm Cultural program
8:30 - 10:00pm Dinner & Dance


Please Note That:
• Dues will be collected at the door: $50/family, $40/couple and $20/single person.
• We will be conducting a competition to select the Talented Jats; details of which will be emailed later. The winners will be awarded with certificates. All prospective candidates must contact Sanjay Roperia or Sandeep Varma by Nov. 11th, 2007 via email or phone as shown in the correspondence; so we can plan accordingly.
• Food is being catered. However, please feel free to bring any food items; especially sweets of your choice to share with other members.
• Members coming from far away places should contact a committee member for overnight stay arrangements.
• Everyone is encouraged to participate in the cultural program; enthusiastic participation from the youth side will be appreciated. For details, please contact any committee member.
• Alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited.

To those friends who are unable to join us for Diwali festival, we extend our best wishes for New Year 2008 and a very Happy Diwali.
Note: Please send your confirmation by email or phone to Sanjay Roperia (sanjay_roperia@yahoo.com / 732-213-7290) or Sandeep Varma (svarma01@hotmail.com/732-935-9897) or Harish Dhayal (hdhayal@hotmail.com/732-431-0603) with number of people attending so that catering arrangement can be done accordingly

Directions to The South Brunswick Senior Center/Municipal Complex & Reichler Park:
Reichler Park is located in the rear of the Municipal Complex. The Senior Center is located to the rear of the Municipal Building and on to left.

From North

Route 1:
- Route 1 South to the New Road. Exit (one light past Mcdonald and the blue water tower).
- Take the Jughandle and cross over Route 1.
- Make a left at the first light onto Route 522 East.
- Go through one light, stay in left lane, the Complex/Senior Center entrance is on the left.

Route 18: From New Brunswick
- From Route 18 South take Route 1 South and follow the above directions.

From Garden State Parkway:
- Take exit 130 to Route 1 South. The New Road is about 14 miles from this exit. Follow the directions as given above from Route 1 North.

Alternate Route from Garden State Parkway:
- It is recommended that you take NJ turnpike South from and follow directions from NJ Turnpike Exit 8A as given below.

NJ Turnpike:
- Take Exit 8A. Make a right after paying toll onto Route 32 West.
- Bear right at junction of Route 32 and Route 130 onto Route 130 North.
- Make a left on the first light onto 522 (West).
- Go through 3 lights and Senior Center/Municipal Complex is on your right.
- Make right in either the first or second driveway. Senior Center is to the rear of the Municipal Building.

From North or South

Route 130:
- Take Route 130 North or South
- Turn at light onto 522 West
- Go through 3 lights and the Senior Center / Municipal Complex is to your right.
- Make right in either the first or second driveway. Senior Center is to the rear of the Municipal Building.

Route 27
- From Route 27 North or South.
- Turn onto New Road. (Exxon Gas Station on the corner)
- Continue on New Road, to Route 1 intersection. Cross over Route 1 and follow the direction as given above from Route 1.

From South

Route 1 North From Kingston and South
- Bear right at light for Route 522/Stouts Lane Exit.
- Stay on Route 522 East.
- After second light get in the left lane.
- Make a left (about ¼ miles) across the highway into the Municipal Complex (there is a sign)
- The Senior Center entrance is to the left, straight ahead.

Route 18 from East Brunswick and South.
- Route 18 North to exit at Cranbury-South River Road.
- Follow Cranbury signs.
- Turn right onto Ridge Rd (Cannon Blgd, is on right)
- At second light make a left (continue on Rt. 522)
- Municipal complex/ is on your right. Use first or second entrance.

Garden State Parkway

It is recommended that you take Parkway to the Turnpike and follow directions from Exit 8A.

Parkway Alternate Route:
- Take Exit 127, to Route 440/287 North, Follow Rt. 287 North to Route 1 South Exit (Exit 1B)
- Follow directions from Route 1 North.

From Philadelphia Via I-95
- Rt, I-95 North. (Cross the Scudders Mill Bridge over the Delaware River. Go about 9 – 10 miles to Route 1 North)
- Follow signs and take exit for New Brunswick/Trenton- Route 1
- Take Route 1 North (towards North Brunswick)
- Make a right at the turn off for Route 522 East/Stouts Lane.
- Stay on Rt. 522 (get in left lane after first light)
- About ¼ mile past the second light at Ridge Rd, Make a left across the highway into Municipal Center. The Senior Center entrance is straight ahead on the left.

__________________
Harish Dhayal