The 111h Annual Community Health Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 16, at the Hindu Temple Community Hall, 5509 Lynn Road, Tampa.

The volunteer-run community service has been a tradition at the Hindu Temple of Florida since 1998. Each year, the Health Fair, which is free to the general public, generates a tremendous response. There are typically 300-400 attendees 50-100 participating physicians. Physicians and volunteers alike work together to bring free screenings and health information services to the public. This year, several high school seniors, led by Ram Sundaresh of Land O' Lakes High, have been invited to help coordinate this event.

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	Shradha Nagaraj

RasaJhari, a non-profit organization promoting South Indian classical dances, will present its first annual Jax Nrithya Mela on Saturday, May 23, in Jacksonville.

The two-hour long collage of dance performances will feature dances by students of six teachers in and around Jacksonville. In this and forthcoming Nrithya Mela programs, RasaJhari also will feature a dance artist from out of town. This year's feature artist Shradha Nagaraj is a budding artist from Mumbai.

The free event held along with the Hindu Society of North East Florida will be from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Greenland Pines Elementary School auditorium, 5050 Greenland Road, Jacksonville.

For more information, call (904) 268-1033.

	Shephali with her mother

During the last few weeks of my mother's life as she lay in her hospital bed in December and various staff attended to her, my mother mentioned to them on more than one occasion, "You know, I don't remember my mother."

Of course, I knew that her mother died when she was very young. But what prompted that declaration at that moment? Was it just appreciation for the caring nurses or was this a realization she often felt?

For me, I have quite the opposite realization. It's tough to recollect a single significant moment of my life without remembering my mother's presence. For this, I am fortunate and grateful. From birthdays, school plays and graduations, to adulthood and the birth of my sons, she and my father are ever present in every important memory and countless insignificant ones. With that, I honor my mother this Mother's Day.

Though I cannot tell her these thoughts in person, I feel the need to acknowledge her existence in my life and hope she was aware of my feelings from my actions since the words were too often left unspoken.

If you have your mom close by or can call her, don't abandon this opportunity. Clich�d as it may sound, there truly is no better time than the present. We can't go back in time and we don't know what the future holds, so make the most of today and acknowledge the loved ones in your life.

A mother is your reason for being, the force that brings you into this world and shapes your role in it. Through her actions, words and example, my mother tried to teach me several important life lessons, too many to mention here. For this, I am ever grateful. Her guiding presence surrounds me in my everyday life. Almost everywhere I turn, I am struck by a memory or conversation with her.

	With parents Hansa and Prahlad Joshi.

I credit my mother and father for everything they taught me. I can only aspire to be like them as a parent. Despite all the difficulties they must have had to overcome, leaving behind family and all things familiar to settle in a new land with its unique customs, they were able to pass on to me, while growing up in the Midwest, our cultural values and pride for our Indian heritage along with a respect for all traditions. Of course, we had our share of disagreements through the years as every mother and daughter surely must, I always felt loved unconditionally. And isn't loving your child unconditionally one of a mother's most important responsibilities?

For everything my mother did for me even after I had my own family responsibilities, I truly felt lucky and grateful. While I can honestly say I didn't take her for granted, I did take for granted her ongoing presence in my life. To imagine a day, month or the rest of my life without her presence is still not quite possible for me. It's like standing at the edge of a gigantic space of emptiness with no means to get to the other side. The reality of her loss still strikes me in sudden flashes of tangible pain. And as I wade through the pool of grief, it brings me solace to speak about her, remember her and honor her.

Because of her, I am. And as a friend told me, because I came from her, she exists through me. So, going forward instead of recalling the weak cancer-ravaged person she became, I will try to remember and honor the strong, independent spirit that she was.

Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers, grandmothers and aunts.

Shephali J. Rele is the associate editor of Khaas Baat. Her mother, Hansa P. Joshi, passed away in January after a brief, courageous battle with cancer.

	Jagjit Singh

Legendary ghazal singer Jagjit Singh will perform during the Memorial Day weekend on Thursday, May 21, in Coral Springs. The 7:30 p.m. concert is presented by Woodlands Indian Cuisine in Lauderhill.

Tickets for the 'A Farewell Tour' are $25, $35, $45, $65, $75, VIP and V.VIP.

The concert will be at the Coral Springs Center of Arts, 2855 Coral Springs Drive.

On the eve of his latest eight-song album, "Inteha," Singh recently said: "All my fans have been asking for 'new' ghazals since a long time. This is my 'Inteha' of gratitude for all their love and support."

For more information on the Coral Springs concert, call Prasad at (407) 595-3205, Soham at (954) 746-7740 or visit www.woodlandsus.com

	Keshav Murugesh

The INDOUS Chamber of Commerce in Tampa will hold its 10th anniversary gala, Banyan Ball, on Saturday, June 6.

The 6 p.m. event will be at the Tampa International Airport Marriott (free valet parking). Tickets are $125 per person and sponsorship opportunities are available.

Guest speaker will be Keshav Murugesh, president of Michigan-based Syntel Inc. Syntel is a global provider of Information Technology and Knowledge Process Outsourcing. Murugesh has been president of the company since Dec. 21, 2006, its COO since Oct. 1, 2004 and CEO this year.
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	2010 Toyota Prius

About 700,000 Toyota Prius units are on the roads in the United States. This month, as the totally redesigned and even more fuel-efficient 2010 Prius hits the dealerships one can only expect that number to rise drastically. After all, the midsize third-generation hybrid claims not just better gas mileage but also more interior room, innovative tech goodies and eye-catching design.

Let's start with the engine, which has been upped from 1.5 liters to a 1.8-liter Atkinson-cycle, four-cylinder power train. Horsepower sees an increase of 22 to 98. The total horsepower from the electric motor and gas engine is 134, which is an improvement of 24 over its predecessor.
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