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President’s Corner:

Hi Everyone,

First and foremost, we would like to take this opportunity to thank one and all for making the MSADA activities happen so that we can cherish them. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank all the volunteers who helped make all the activities a grand success.

Our first event was the Summer Picnic 2009. Since then, we have lined up a couple of events for you during the months of July through September: presentations on the deaf communities in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Many thanks to Iris Gomes for taking the initiative to set up these presentations on behalf of MSADA.

And MSADA held a booth at the Gallaudet University’s 75^th Homecoming in October.

Recently, these were followed by the traditional, social celebration of Diwali & Eid, which has helped improve the interaction between MSADA, GRO and the rest of the South Asian Deaf community.

MSADA is proud to announce a new scholarship this year. This scholarship is available only at Gallaudet University. To apply for the scholarship, please contact the Financial Aid Office at Gallaudet University. Don't miss this opportunity. We are looking forward to inviting the winner to our organization!

As we promise every year, we want MSADA to succeed – we are inspired by your dedication, passion and continued commitment to MSADA. We certainly appreciate all that you do.

We wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving and Season Greetings.

Sincerely,

Ramesh Mirchandani ,

President

Sooji Dhokla (Semolina Dhokla Recipe

Iris Gomes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup fine sooji (semolina)

• 1 cup natural yogurt

• 1/2 cup water

• 1 tsp salt

• 1 tsp fresh ginger paste

• 1 tsp fresh green chopped chilies

• 1 level tsp eno salt

• 1 tsp olive oil or canola oil

• 1 Tbsp fresh chopped coriander

For garnish:

• 1/4 tsp chili powder

• 1 tsp fresh chopped coriander

• 1/2 tsp chopped green chilli

• 1 tsp desiccated coconut (optional)

Preparation:

1. Put water in a steamer to heat up.

2. Slightly oil a small 8-10 inch thali with a rim and keep aside.

3. Mix all the ingredients for the dhokla together (except the eno salt) and form a batter.

4. Place the oiled thali in the steamer and just before you are ready to pour the batter, add the eno salt and mix the batter gently.

5. Pour the batter in the thali and sprinkle with chopped coriander and a bit of red chili powder on top.

6. Put the lid on the steamer and steam for 10- 15 minutes.

7. Open the lid of the steamer and if the dhoklas are ready they will spring back when gently pressed.

8. Remove thali from steamer and let it cool. Cut dhokla into diamond shapes and garnish with fresh chopped coriander, desiccated coconut and fresh chopped chillies. Serve dhokla with coriander-mint chutney.

Note: For children you may omit the green chillies. You may also set dhokla as shown for making sooji idli.

NVRC Roundtable Meeting of Area Organizations

Zeke Sebastain

As the MSADA representative, I went to NVRC for a roundtable meeting of local organizations on June 17^th, 2009. It was hosted by Northern Virginia Regional Chapter Board – Policy Committee. Many officers there represented a variety of organizations, such as ALDA – Assn of Late-Deafened Adults; Bright Beginnings for Babies; Eastern Deaf Bikers; Happy Hands Deaf Seniors; Hearing Loss Assn of America – Northern VA Chapter; Metro South Deaf Assn; Northern Virginia Assn of the Deaf; Northern Virginia Sign Language Club; Veditz Chapter – American Sign Language Teachers and Virginia Assn of the Deaf, who all participated in this meeting. The NVRC Committee served good food for all the organization officers. We talked about about community news, using the meeting room and future issues. They required all organization officers to sign a form contract for using rooms at NVRC for one year.

Visitors from Bangladesh

Madan Vasishta

The MSADA has been fortunate in hosting Mr. Harunar Khan and Mr. Osman Khaled on July 18^th 2009 in the MPR on Gallaudet campus. Mr. Khan is a retired teacher of the deaf and has a very keen interest in deaf history. In his presentation, he told stories about his meeting with Helen Keller when she visited the Calcutta School for the Deaf in 1950s. Mr. Khan was a young student at that time. He has collected data on the two principals of the Calcutta School for the Deaf who had attended Gallaudet University in 1892 and 1925. Mr. Khaled has been and still is very active in getting recognition for the sign language used in Bangladesh. He hopes to have more sign language classes and interpreters in his country. It was wonderful to talk with these two devoted deaf people. Everyone enjoyed the talk and personal conversations with them.

The presentation was followed by Indian snacks and tea, and led by Gausia Vali, Iris Gomes and the rest of the MSADA team.

Sri Lanka Presentation

with Tissa Peiris & Shamila McCluskey

Thanks to MSADA’s Thushara Wijetilaka for MCing the Sri Lanka presentation that took place at Gallaudet University, Washington. D.C. on September 12^th. Along with the keynote speakers, the event was well-attended by current members and participants who work voluntarily on behalf of the MSADA community. Tissa and Shamila gave a presentation to enthralled audiences about their dedicated services to the Deaf community in Sri Lanka. Their presentation was very well done; it made one think more effectively about working with folks in Sri Lanka. This was an AWESOME opportunity to learn more about the country of Sri Lanka and to learn about its Deaf people, schools and sign language. What a refreshing approach. The presentation was enjoyable and easy to relate to. Thushara, Tissa and Shamila established a strong rapport with the group and turned it into a fun experience. Thanks to the audience for their awesome show of support. One of MSADA's main goals is to raise money for worthwhile programs and charities which will benefit the community. A portion of the proceeds from this event, in the amount of 50 dollars, will go towards the Sri Lanka Deaf community. To make a contribution, please contact our fundraising coordinator Gaurav at the email address: fundraising@msada-dc.org Many thanks for Iris Gomes for taking the initiative to set up the Sri Lanka presentation on behalf of MSADA. The next exciting event will be “Aluth Avurudha” – Sri Lanka New Year, to be held next year in April.

MSADA Booth – Gallaudet University’s 75^th Homecoming

Sagar Kothari

On October 24^th which marked the 75th anniversary of Homecoming (Gallaudet's first was held in 1934) the MSADA booth was led by me and my team team, Kalpana, Iris, Zeke and Thushara. Thushara created a beautiful banner, using the green and orange sheets and inscribed the computer-graphic alphabetic letters representing MSADA. Kalpana and Iris prepared the Chai tea and set up the trays of Samosas. Due to the rain, booths were set up inside the Jordan Student Academic Center, Gallaudet University, with various organizations selling food, pagers, and VP services. The area became more crowded as the day wore on, with all the socializing, but alumni and friends didn’t seem to mind that it was hot and crowded because everyone was happy to be together.

The Metro South Asian Deaf Association (MSADA) and Global Reach Out Initiative Inc. (GRO) had an unforgettable night on November 7^th at the SLCC Atrium (Sorenson Language & Communication Center). The MSADA and GRO team (Tamer, Lizzie, Gaurav, Ramesh, Karthik and Iris) gave their willing hearts and hands, putting all the ingredients and meticulous planning that would ensure a memorable night for all, and what a memorable Diwali & Eid party it turned out to be.

The fun began prior to the party. The volunteers decorated the atrium’s balcony with beautiful and colorful sarees, and hung flags representing the seven south Asian countries that MSADA is associated with as well as other countries that GRO’s delegates carry out their team-building activities and leadership workshops in. The tables were covered with colorful scarves, Diwali & Eid greeting cards were placed around the tables, and different kinds of candies were placed in the middle of the tables.

The cultural entertainment program started right away, after delicious appetizers (samosas and cheese paneer) were served during the social hour.

7.30 pm became even more significant, when a young lady, Chelsea Ledesma arrived at the podium, dancing a magnificent Bollywood dance – I was astounded to see how talented she was. Her dance certainly took the audience by surprise.

Tissa was a comedian, giving his famous Sri Lankan sarong show. The students at Gallaudet University Meera Domir, Sonam Jain, Dhruv Dhawan and Sarvesh Jain, gave an amazing dance called Bhangra. The audience was also enthralled with a variety of dances from Peru, Korea, Mongolia and Middle East.

The children enjoyed themselves very much. They played various games, participated in some of the dances, and sampled the South Asian food. In other words, they got to experience both South Asian and Deaf cultures.

Many people did not imagine this was set up so beautifully. The Indian Buffet was great. There were lots of great drinks like sodas and wines. And of course, the cultural entertainment WAS FANTASTIC!

A great start to the serious business of the night’s fund raising activities. Your participation and support is much appreciated, and 50% of the proceeds will go to support the GRO India 2009 delegation.

I was honored by the presence of all the amazing volunteers who made it all happen. Thanks to you all!

The Metro South Asian Deaf Association (MSADA) & Global Reach Out Initiative (GRO) thank you all for your attendance and participation at the recent celebration of Diwali & Eid, which took place on November 7, 2009, at SLCC, Gallaudet University.

In the