INDIA New England News
Geeta Vallecha
BOSTON- Geeta Vallecha is fully immersed in the discipline and practice of yoga. After she received her Masters’ degree in computer information systems and work experience as a senior systems analyst, she received numerous certifications including: E-RYT 500, Yin yoga, classical form of Hatha yoga, YogaFit, BalYoga, among several others.
Ms. Vallecha believes yoga is much more than just an alternative form of exercise; it is a sustainable way of living a joyful and healthy life. She is passionate about researching and honoring roots of yoga and educating people about various facets of yoga, beyond Asana, in order to experience holistic benefits of yoga.
INDIA New England News
Rachana Shah
BOSTON- In 2018, Rachana Shah left her job of 20 years as a Systems Analyst to take a risk that would change her life: she founded Evergreen Adult Day Health Center in Woburn, MA- a place that the increasing aging generation in the South Asian community could call their home away from home. This was not a new topic for Ms. Shah- her focus on helping the community has been a part of her life for years.
She is passionate about the plight of seniors, the aging generation that needs more assistance as the time goes by. She watched her own parents, her in-laws, and their friends turning into “latch key adults”, with very few resources available during weekdays for independent movement. Language was often the barrier in most cases Ms. Shah witnessed, where the town provided senior services were not very helpful.
INDIA New England News
BOSTON- The founder and director of Arya Math Academy since its inception in 2017, Pratima Penumarthy is an advocate for education, and believes that education can promote gender equality and promote peace. In a time when schools have not been able to bring children in for learning, her online academy provides academic services and resources that fostered development of skills and attitudes necessary to increase the knowledge and academic independence of all students.
âEducation is one of the most important investments a country can make in its people and its future,â says Ms. Penumarthy. âWhen children are educated, they are armed with the courage and self-confidence to better themselves and their families, their communities, and ultimately the next generation.â
INDIA New England News
Aditi Soni
BOSTON- A woman who never takes NO as an answer in life, Aditi Soni works hard to empower the women in her community. As President of the United India Association of New England (UIANE) and a Board Member of Saheli Boston, Ms. Soni has been at the forefront of many important support initiatives run by both organizations, in a year where everyone’s lives were effected by the coronavirus pandemic.
From UIANE’s “COVID-19 Relief Fund” that delivered hundreds of meals and groceries to the elderly and the front-line workers, to its virtual ‘Participate and Learn’ series to keep their community physically and mentally strong, to working with the Indian Medical Association of New England (IMANE) and the India Association of Greater Boston (IAGB) to host a community awareness webinar for the COVID-19 vaccine, Ms. Soni has been instrumental to these initiatives.
INDIA New England News
Yogita Miharia
BOSTON- If you are interested in theater, you may have seen her on the stage with the non-profit theater group SETU- but this is only one part of Yogita Miharia’s life. She is known as an actor who has performed in several plays as well as some short films, mini-series, and feature films, but Ms. Miharia is also a software professional and works as the Director of Quality Assurance at Oracle. Initially joining Oracle as an entry level engineer, she rose through the ranks because of her passion, desire and hard work. In addition, she is a member of the board of directors of India Association of Greater Boston, known as IAGB.