NRISA’s September monthly function was held on 20 September 2026, from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm, at the Northcote Senior Citizens Community Centre. The program commenced with a warm welcome by NRISA President, Dr. Tejinder Singh. Mr. Prem Sinha, the MC for the day, presented the program with his usual aplomb and flair, keeping the proceedings engaging and enjoyable.

The highlight of the program was an informative health talk by Dr. Raman Sethi, Orthopaedic Surgeon at Epworth Eastern Hospital, Box Hill, on joint pain management for seniors. He discussed common causes of joint pain and offered practical advice and valuable tips for maintaining daily mobility and an active lifestyle.

The health session was followed by a lively entertainment program featuring Bollywood and folk songs by Dr. Sarat Chandran, Ms. Rita Bhaskar, Mr. Ratan Madan, Dr. Parminder Mundae and Mr. Ajit Kumar. Ms. Ragini Shrivastava delighted the audience with her lovely poetry, while Mr. Arvind Gaindhar entertained everyone with a humorous story.

The enjoyable gathering concluded with a delicious vegetarian lunch, providing members and guests with an opportunity to socialise and spend a pleasant afternoon together.

Photos: Courtesy Mr. Guruswamy Perumal

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NRISA celebrated India’s Independence Day on 16 August 2026 at the Northcote Senior Citizens Community Centre with great enthusiasm and patriotic spirit. The event was graced by Cr. Emily Dimitriadis, Mayor of Darebin Council.

Dr. Shashi Gupta, Secretary, NRISA, warmly welcomed the guests and members. Dr. Tejinder Singh, President of NRISA, delivered an inspiring Independence Day speech, highlighting the historical significance of India’s independence and the importance of the occasion.

The Australian and Indian National Anthems were beautifully rendered by NRISA’s ladies’ chorus comprising Dr. Mindi Nath, Mrs. Rimi Singh, Mrs. Ragini Sinha, Dr. Amita Iyer, Mrs. Anu Vats and Mrs. Archana Gupta.

The programme was compered by Mr. Hari Kohli, who kept the audience entertained throughout with his lively presentation, shers and jokes.

The celebration featured a variety of musical performances. Patriotic songs were presented by Ms. Maya Ramdin, Mr. Sameer Murthy, Mr. Ajit Kumar and Dr. Rajiv Edavan, while Ms. Pratima Francis delighted the audience with popular Bollywood songs. Dr. Sanjay Gupta added to the musical programme with a popular Bollywood number on the guitar.

The highlight of the programme was a graceful and captivating Bharatanatyam performance by artists from the Shanthi Ramakrishnan School of Dance, which was warmly appreciated by the audience. This was followed by a hilarious comedy skit presented by NRISA ladies—Ms. Ragini Srivastava, Ms. Parminder Jabbal and Dr. Amita Iyer—which had the audience in fits of laughter.

A special highlight of the occasion was the grand celebration of the 90th birthday of Dr. Santosh Kumar, Patron of NRISA. Dr. Baikunth Nath and Dr. Tejinder Singh spoke warmly about Dr. Kumar’s remarkable contributions to the wider community and, in particular, his invaluable support and contribution to NRISA. Their tributes acknowledged his dedication, leadership and longstanding commitment to the organisation.

The celebrations concluded on a warm and convivial note with a sumptuous lunch, giving members and guests an opportunity to socialise and enjoy each other’s company.

Overall, the Independence Day celebration was a memorable blend of patriotism, culture, music, dance, humour and community spirit, making it a truly special occasion for all NRISA members and guests.

Photos: Courtesy Dr, Amita Iyer

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The NRISA Annual General Meeting (AGM) was held on 19 July 2026 at the Northcote Seniors Centre, Bent Street, Northcote. The meeting was well attended, with approximately 72 members participating (well above the quorum) , reflecting the continued enthusiasm and commitment of the NRISA community.

The proceedings commenced with a warm welcome address by NRISA President, Mr. Prem Sinha, who thanked the members for their unwavering support and active participation throughout his 2 year term. In his presentation, Mr. Sinha highlighted the many achievements and activities undertaken during his tenure. He reflected on NRISA’s rich calendar of cultural events, which showcased a wide spectrum of Indian performing arts. These included captivating performances of Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Kathak, Odissi, and Bhangra by various dance schools in Melbourne, in addition to vibrant Bollywood dances, comedy skits, and musical performances by NRISA’s talented members.

Beyond cultural programs, Mr. Sinha emphasized NRISA’s commitment to promoting knowledge and well-being through a series of informative talks on topics such as aged care, the Indian Freedom Movement, yoga and meditation, CPR and other subjects of interest to seniors. Members also enjoyed a few day excursions that fostered friendship and social engagement.

A special mention was made of the “Inse Miliye” initiative, an online Zoom-based face-to-face interview series that captures and preserves the inspiring life stories and experiences of many of our community’s “quiet achievers.” The program has become a valuable platform for celebrating the remarkable journeys and contributions of senior members.

The Treasurer’s Report, presented by Dr. Tejinder Singh, was well received and appreciated by the members. There was no Secretary’s Report presented during the meeting.

The AGM also considered two important constitutional resolutions, both of which were adopted with majority support. The first provides for the automatic nomination of the immediate Past President to the incoming Executive Committee, ensuring continuity and the retention of institutional knowledge. The second resolution created the new position of Cultural Secretary, recognising the growing importance of planning and coordinating NRISA’s extensive cultural activities.

The election of the new Executive Committee was conducted smoothly by Mr. Arvind Gaindhar (the Returning Officer} , with all office bearers and committee members elected unopposed. The newly elected Executive Committee comprises: President: Dr. Tejinder Singh, Vice President: Dr. Baikunth Nath , Secretary: Dr. Shashi Gupta, Treasurer: Dr. Rajiv Edavan, Committee Members: Mr. Haridayal Kohli, Mr. Rajiv Mehra, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Mr. Rakesh Kumar and Mr. Jagjit Sidhu. The members also expressed their appreciation for Dr. Santosh Kumar, who continues in his esteemed role as Patron of NRISA, providing valuable guidance and support to the organisation.

The formal proceedings were thoughtfully interspersed with musical entertainment (Mr. Hari Dayal Kohli, Mrs. Asha Chopra, Mr.Om Sethi and Dr. Rajiv Edavan) , which kept members engaged and added a lively and enjoyable atmosphere throughout the meeting.

The AGM concluded on a positive and optimistic note, with members expressing confidence in the new leadership team and looking forward to another successful term of 2 year of community service, cultural enrichment, and fellowship. The gathering ended with everyone enjoying a sumptuous lunch, providing an opportunity for members to socialise and celebrate another successful chapter in NRISA’s journey.

Photos: Courtesy Mr. Guruswamy Perumal

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NRISA celebrated International Yoga Day on Sunday, 21 June 2026, at the Seniors Centre, 18A Bent Street, Northcote, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The event commenced with a warm welcome by NRISA President Mr. Prem Sinha, who greeted the members, guests, and participants and highlighted the importance of yoga for physical, mental, and emotional well-being. The program was ably compered by Dr. Rajiv Edavan.

The highlight of the celebration was a light yoga training session conducted by renowned Melbourne Yoga Guru Kawal Bhagat Ji, a nonagenarian, army veteran, and dedicated yoga teacher who has been providing free yoga training to seniors for the past 40 years. The session was enthusiastically supported by his team comprising Ms. Maria MacLennan, Ms. Sheryl Joseph, Ms. Emma McGrath, Ms. Fiona Tunbridge, and Ms. Vanessa Rich.

Participants were guided through a variety of gentle yoga practices, including both mat-based yoga asanas and chair yoga, making the session accessible and enjoyable for seniors of all fitness levels. Members actively participated and greatly appreciated the practical and relaxing nature of the training.

The yoga session was followed by an entertaining cultural program showcasing the talents of NRISA members. The audience enjoyed a lively Bollywood dance performance by Ms. Janki Ganapathi and group members Ms. Usha Sharma, Ms. Anuradha Chopra, and Ms. Anita Chhabra. This was followed by a humorous comedy skit presented by Dr. Neelam Gupta and Dr. Amita Iyer, which generated much laughter and appreciation from the audience. Ms. Manjula Thakur recited a thoughtful poem, while Mr. Arvind Gaindhar entertained everyone with a humorous joke.

The musical segment featured melodious Bollywood songs rendered by Dr. Parminder Mundae, Mr. Vimal Parekh, and Dr. Rajiv Edavan, who kept the audience engaged and entertained throughout the afternoon.

A special attraction of the event was a short musical presentation by Mr. Colin Tozer, who introduced the audience to the unique sounds of the Didgeridoo, the traditional Indigenous Australian wind instrument, and the African Djembe hand drum. His captivating performance added a multicultural and meditative dimension to the celebration.

The program concluded with a sumptuous and delicious lunch, providing members and guests an opportunity to socialize and reflect on the day’s activities.

Overall, the NRISA International Yoga Day celebration was a highly successful and enjoyable event that promoted health, wellness, cultural diversity, and community spirit among members and seniors.

Photos: Courtesy Dr.Amita Iyer

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The NRISA May function celebrating Mother’s Day was conducted in a warm and joyful atmosphere with enthusiastic participation from members and guests. The program commenced with NRISA President Mr. Prem Sinha welcoming the gathering with a heartfelt poem dedicated to mothers, setting the tone for the celebration. The function was smoothly compered by Dr. Rajiv Edavan.

The event began with a short and informative CPR training session conducted by Bolton Clarke and facilitated by Dr. Tejinder Singh. The session was highly appreciated by the audience for its practical value and awareness on emergency response.

The Mother’s Day celebrations then followed with a touching poem recital by Rimi ji in honour of mothers. This was accompanied by a ceremonial cake cutting and photo session, creating many memorable moments for everyone present.

An entertaining cultural program added colour and vibrancy to the celebration. Mrs. Maya Ramdin presented a beautiful song dedicated to mothers, which was warmly received by the audience. Young students from Shanthi Ramkrishnan School of Dance performed some elegant Bharatanatyam dances, showcasing their talent and discipline. Musical performances by Mr. Sanjeev Zhutsi , Mrs. Meenu Wadhwa, Dr. Bhimsen Kurukundi, and Mrs. Meera Sharma ji kept the audience thoroughly entertained. A delightful duet by Meenu ji and Dr. Rajiv Edavan was also greatly appreciated.

Adding humour to the afternoon was the comical skit “Generation Gap,” brilliantly enacted by Ms. Ragini Srivastava and Dr. Amita Iyer, which brought laughter and enjoyment to the gathering. Mrs. Mini Mehra also recited a lovely verse on mothers, adding an emotional touch to the celebrations.

The memorable program concluded with everyone enjoying a delicious and sumptuous lunch while socialising in a cheerful and friendly atmosphere.

Photos: Courtesy Guruswamy Perumal

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The NRISA April 2026 Baisakhi Celebration was a vibrant and culturally rich event that brought together the community in a spirit of festivity and unity. The program commenced with a warm welcome from NRISA President Mr. Prem Sinha, who briefly highlighted the significance of Baisakhi as an important harvest festival and its deep cultural and religious relevance.

The function was honoured by the presence of Cr. Matt Arturi, Deputy Mayor of the City of Darebin, along with distinguished guests Mr. Anand Shome (Vice President, Indian Care) and Mr. Inderjit Jasal (President, ISCA). The event was skilfully anchored by Dr. Tejinder Singh, who further elaborated on the importance of Baisakhi, particularly its strong association with Punjab and Sikhism.

The celebrations began on a melodious note with a Punjabi folk song duet by Om Sethi and Pali Kohli, setting a traditional and festive tone. Adding a unique multicultural dimension, a Malayalam song by Rajiv Edavan brought in the flavours of South India especially Vishu and Puthandu, reflecting the diversity within the community. This was followed by a captivating performance by Mr. Vinod Prasanna, an award-winning flute virtuoso of international repute from a renowned bansuri musical gharana, who enchanted the audience with his Indian classical and popular melodies.

The entertainment segment continued with a lively song by Mr. Inderjit Jasal, followed by a graceful Kathak Vandana performance by dancers from the Ghungroo School of Dance, dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Gopal. The audience was further enthralled by a series of engaging Bollywood song performances by Mrs. Meenu Wadhwa, Mr. Hari Kohli, Mr. Om Sethi, and Pali Kohli.

The grand finale featured a high-energy Bhangra performance by the Melbourne Bhangra Squad, led by Navdeep, which left the audience energized and delighted. The event concluded on a warm and satisfying note with a delicious and sumptuous lunch, giving attendees an opportunity to socialise and celebrate together.

Overall, the Baisakhi Celebration was a resounding success, beautifully showcasing cultural diversity, artistic talent, and community spirit.

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Photos: Courtesy Mr. Guruswamy Perumal

The NRISA Holi celebration was held on 15 March at Bent Street Hall, Northcote, bringing together members and friends for a joyful afternoon of colour, music, and cultural celebration. The traditional afternoon function, held from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM, was attended by about 94 participants, reflecting the enthusiasm and strong community spirit among members.

The function was opened by Mr. Yashpal Vasudeva, who extended warm Holi greetings and welcomed everyone to the gathering. In keeping with tradition, guests were greeted with gulal, adding colour and festivity to the occasion and setting the tone for the celebrations.

The program was conducted by Mr. Hari Dayal Kohli, who smoothly guided the event and kept the audience engaged throughout the afternoon.

The entertainment segment featured a lively program of songs and dance performances. Musical items were presented by Rajiv Edavan, Vijay Sehgal, Meera Sharma and Hari Dayal Kohli, while Minu Wadhwa delighted the audience with a melodious medley of songs. The invited artists Jagati and Mandi also performed an enjoyable song medley, which was warmly received by the audience.

A highlight of the program was a Holi group dance performed by Janaki Ganapati, Amita Iyer, Parmindar Jabbal, Usha Sharma, and Anuradha Chopra, which added colour, energy, and festive spirit to the celebration.

The function concluded with the distribution of pre-packed snacks to all attendees, bringing the afternoon’s festivities to a pleasant close.

Overall, the NRISA Holi function was a delightful and well-attended event that provided members with an opportunity to celebrate the festival of colours together in a spirit of friendship, joy, and cultural harmony.

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Photos: Courtesy Guruswamy Perumal

NRISA members recently enjoyed a pleasant train excursion to Geelong on Sunday, 15 February 2026, providing everyone a welcome opportunity to relax, socialise, and explore one of Victoria’s most scenic coastal cities. Blessed with fine weather, the group travelled together in high spirits, sharing conversations and laughter along the way. Dr. Shashi Gupta coordinated the event with able support of committee members.

Upon arrival, the group proceeded to Safferon Indian Restaurant, where members relished a delicious vegetarian buffet lunch. The gathering was lively and cheerful, filled with singing, jokes, and storytelling, creating a warm and friendly atmosphere. Afterwards, participants visited the beautiful Geelong Waterfront, admired the iconic Baywalk Bollards, and spent time strolling along the foreshore while enjoying views of Corio Bay. Some members explored the local cafes and shops, while others relaxed by the water and captured memorable photographs.

The outing strengthened friendship and camaraderie among members, especially for seniors who appreciated the fresh sea breeze, open spaces, and change of routine. Overall, the excursion was refreshing, enjoyable, and memorable, leaving everyone looking forward to many more such trips together.

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NRISA celebrated the Multicultural Day on January 18 with great enthusiasm and community spirit. The program began with a warm welcome speech by the President, Mr. Prem Sinha, setting a positive and inclusive tone for the event. MC of the day was Dr. Tejinder Singh, who ensured everyone is in good humour throughout the program.

The celebration featured inspiring guest speeches, starting with the Mayor of Darebin Council, Cr. Emily Dimitriadis, who highlighted the importance and strength of multiculturalism in the community. This was followed by Ms. Marcia Griffin, Deputy Chair of National Seniors Australia, who spoke about the benefits of NSA membership for seniors. Dr. Santosh Kumar then shared valuable insights on wellness and healthy living for seniors.

Cultural performances added colour and vibrancy to the day. The Masala Dance Group, led by Naki Khan, presented an energetic and colourful Bhangra dance, followed by an interactive dance workshop that encouraged enthusiastic participation from the audience. Musical performances included patriotic and romantic songs beautifully rendered by Meenu Wadhwa, Indu Verma, Inderjeet Jassal, and Om Sethi.

The entertainment continued with an engaging magic show by Aigin Fan, which was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone present. The event concluded on a delightful note with a sumptuous vegetarian lunch served to all attendees.

Overall, the Multicultural Day celebration was a joyful and enriching experience, reflecting NRISA’s commitment to diversity, cultural harmony, and community wellbeing.

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Photos: Courtesy Mr. Guruswamy Perumal

NRISA members and friends gathered on Sunday, 16 November 2025, at Bent Street to celebrate NRISA Day—a warm and vibrant day honouring senior members of the association and their long-standing services, community spirit and talent.

The event began with welcome and opening remarks by the President Mr. Prem Sinha. who introduced the purpose of NRISA Day and set a positive tone for the program. This was followed by brief remarks from Dr. Santosh Gupta, who then invited Mr. Rajendra Chopra to recite one of his poems, receiving appreciation from the audience.

The cultural segment opened with a heartfelt song performance by Mr. Hari Dayal Kohli, warmly acknowledged by Mr. Prem Sinha, who then invited Mr. Harihar Jha for his presentation. Dr. Santosh thanked Mr. Harihar and welcomed Mrs. Asha Chopra for a song, whose contribution was equally appreciated. The stage then went to Mr. Charan Das, who recited his poetry on current NRISA Committee with passion and humour, earning enthusiastic applause.

Mr. Prem Sinha next invited Mrs. Neelam Gupta for a skit that brought smiles to the audience, followed by Mr. Arvind Gaindher’s magical performance—a delightful crowd favourite. The program continued with a song segment featuring Mr. Bhatti, invited and appreciated by Mr. Prem Sinha.

One of the most meaningful moments of the event was the presentation of NRISA souvenirs to long-time members. Dr. Santosh called out the names while Mr. Prem honoured the recipients, acknowledging their years of dedication and service to the association.

The afternoon continued with the Be Connected Selfie Competition lottery draw, where Dr. Tejinder Singh selected winners through a lottery system and Dr. Santosh presented the prizes.

A melodious song by Rajiv Edavan added to the celebratory spirit. The audience also applauded Mr. Guruswamy Perumal, who was recognised for receiving a prestigious honour from the Minister for Housing and Building — the 2025 Social Housing Volunteer Award. A dedicated photo session led by Mr. Guruswamy captured these memorable moments.

Dr. Santosh then invited Mrs. Meenu Handa Wadhwa for a lively medley performance that lifted the energy in the room. Finally, Mr. Prem returned to the stage to announce lunch, bringing the formal program to a close and inviting everyone to enjoy a meal together.

The 2025 NRISA Day celebration was filled with performances, recognition, and heartfelt appreciation — a true reflection of NRISA’s commitment to community, culture, and connection. 🌼✨

Photos: Courtesy Mr. Guruswamy Perumal