Hema Shastri’s Dev Darshan Seniors Center Inaugurated

CHICAGO - Ms Hema Shastri’s senior and elderly social care center, named Dev Darshan Senior Care Center (DDSC) has been inaugurated. The inauguration took place on March 25, 2023 at the Manav Seva Mandir auditorium.

Its Founding President Ms Hema Shastri dedicated the center to her father-in-law Late CL Shastri. “This is no less than a dream come true…a Dream that my late Father-in-law had dreamt in the year 2006,” Hema Shastri said.

Ms Hema Shastri said that the “purpose of the DDSC is to uplift senior citizens’ lives by providing them a place where all senior members from different ethnic groups can come together, make friends, enjoy, have a good time and truly be themselves.”

In her welcome address, Board Member of the DDSC, Ms Mika Shastri highlighted the zeal with which Hema Shastri has been serving the Indian Community in Chicagoland for the past 25 years.

Speaking at the occasion, Founder President Ms Hema Shastri thanked her DDSC team associates. She said, “Without you all tonight would not be possible.” She continued, “It truly has been my dream and my vision to operate a multiethnic senior center where all the seniors can come together, make friends, exercise and educate themselves while exchanging life experiences. We will enjoy different activities while being a multiethnic Senior group where everyone is welcomed and just be ourselves. A peaceful place where we can bring our family and friends to join us at any events and functions to participate and encourage all Senior men & women. A place where there is no room for hate or jealousy or any politics because we are too old for that BUT we are young at heart forever for good times only.” Hema recognized Mrs. Sadaska, the first senior to join DDSC.

Prominent amongst the guests were: Amal McCaskill and Ronnie Fields, former professional basketball players. Amal McCaskill played in the NBA with the Orlando Magic, San Antonio Spurs, Atlanta Hawks and Philadelphia 76ers. Amal also played professional basketball internationally.

Ronnie Fields also played professional basketball in the CBA, ABA and played internationally in the Philippines, Venezuela, Turkey, Lebanon, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and Greece.

The evening was full of entertainment. It included Bollywood dances, Bharatnatyam Achyutam Keshavam by Pika Munshi; and a Bollywood Kathak inspired dance by Carmen Olesch. and beautiful songs were sung by Sanika Sahu and Swapnil Sahu. Bollywood Musical Extravaganza was presented by Sammy and Gautami. DDSC Vice President Ms Gira Ethindra presented the Vote of Thanks.