HICKSVILLE, NY (TIP) : Moving to Long Island from Manhattan, the AIA-NY’s iconic Deepavali Festival on October 11 promises to be bigger and grander. Organized by the Association of Indians in America (AIA), New York chapter, at Overlook Beach in Babylon, the day-long celebration is choc-a-bloc with dance, drama, devotion, and many firsts.
On October 1, at the Asa Mai Temple in Hicksville, the organizers of the mega event provided details to the press and their 150+ supporters. They announced that, in addition to fireworks, new attractions this time include a recreation of an illuminated Ayodhya with Ram Darbar, a Kirtan Concert, and a Cultural Fashion Show.
Beena Kothari, President of AIA-NY, said, “Our 38th Deepavali Festival’s move from Manhattan’s South Street Seaport to Long Island’s shores represents not just a change of venue but a wave of cultural expansion. Together with our team, our partners, and the entire community, we’re building a bridge of light, unity, and joy that connects every generation of Indians in America.”
Past AIA National President Animesh Goenka mentioned that organizing fireworks in Manhattan was becoming more difficult, and what is a Diwali celebration without fireworks? While welcoming many other Diwali melas, he noted that AIA-NY’s celebration is the oldest and highlights India’s culture and heritage.
Others who spoke and urged the community to join the Deepavali Festival again this year in big numbers included AIA National President Gobind Munjal and other AIA leaders such as Nilima Madan, Harish Thakkar, and Harsh Vyas. Congratulating Beena Kothari on her leadership of the Deepavali Festival were Bobby Kalotee, Chairman of the Nassau County Human Rights Commission; Jasbir Jay Singh, President of IALI; Deepak Bansal and Vimal Goyal, co-Presidents of the India Day Parade.
Some presenters and sponsors also spoke at the press conference. Harish Goyal from the Zee Group and CEO of their Yo1 health resort in upstate New York, said they are happy to sponsor AIA’s mega show for the first time.
AIA President Beena Kothari, speaking with The Indian Panorama, said she has chanced upon a very talented young lady who is into film making, and surprisingly, is deeply immersed in matters spiritual, and that she has been a great help in preparing the matrix of the program. Neha Lohia is the person behind the concept of creating the Ram Setu and projecting the AIA as building bridges with the world .
Appointed as cultural ambassador for AIA NY Chapter – with her career in entertainment as director and filmmaker, her devotional and spiritual pursuits and her work with several non-profits in NY, Neha is bringing the dimension of bhakti, devotion, art and fashion to this year’s Diwali celebrations with partners such as Paramahamsa Vishwananda founded Bhakti Marga’s team from Elmira and New York who will be doing a kirtan concert, putting a booth for people to try bhakti practices. Two representatives from Bhakti Marga founded by Paramahamsa Vishwananda talked about the hour-long Kirtan Concert by their group.
Heritage India’s Celebrity fashion designer Prashant Goyal will be doing a major fashion show. Celebrity designer Prashant Goyal said he will showcase India’s culture through fashion.
Sadhu Vaswani Center For World Peace will be at a booth inviting people to light a diya for world peace and ignite hearts with love and compassion
The fireworks show, the most exciting part of the AIA Deepavali celebration, is scheduled for 7 pm on the shore (instead of on the water, as in previous years at the South Street Seaport) and will last 20-30 minutes.
Many lawmakers, dignitaries, including the Consul General of India in New York, Binaya Srikanta Pradhan, and celebrities will grace the festivities.
Highlights of AIA-NY’s 38th Deepavali Festival
- Ramayana Live Musical Dance Drama
- Bhakti Marga Kirtan Concert
- Heritage India Fashion Show by Prashant Goyal
- Children’s Art & Ram Setu Rock Painting Competition
- Rangoli & Diya Competitions
- Classical & Folk Dance Performances
- Health & Wellness Zone — Yoga, Zumba
- Meena Bazaar & Food Village
- Felicitations for Honorees and Esteemed Guests
- Lakshmi Aarti – For the well-being of all
- Grand Fireworks Finale (7 PM)
People can still purchase tickets for the VIP dinner, which will be held in a private area before the fireworks. Buying raffle tickets could win you exciting grand prizes.
Main sponsors of the celebration include Bolla Oil, Mount Sinai, New York Cancer and Blood Specialists, Cheap-o-Air, Navika Group, ICICI Bank, and Ranju & Ravi Batra.
Global TV channels Zee and Sony will show highlights of AIA Deepavali 2025. Local media supporters include Parikh Worldwide Media, TV Asia, Radio Zindagi, Jus TV, The South Asian Times, The Indian Panorama, The Indian Eye, Hum Hindustani, South Asian Insider, ALotusInTheMud.com, and Bollywood Insider.
Prof. Indrajit Saluja, Editor-Publisher of The Indian Panorama, praised AIA for keeping India’s culture, history, and heritage alive in America.
Parveen Chopra, founder of ALotusInTheMud.com, said Diwali is going mainstream as New York and some other states have declared Diwali as a holiday in public schools.
About the Association of Indians in America
AIA is the oldest Indian community organization in America, set up in 1967 with the motto of ‘Indian Heritage American Commitment’.
AIA-NY President Beena Kothari highlights that the chapter’s achievements include New York City’s official recognition of Diwali as a holiday, starting in 2024, the 2013 release of the USPS Diwali stamp, and celebrations of the festival at Gracie Mansion and the White House in 2006.
AIA-NY celebrates Diwali as the festival of joy and happiness, as it is common to Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, Buddhists, and people of many different countries, including Indo-Caribbeans.
Contact for sponsorship and other details: Mrs Beena Kothari, Ph: +1 631 988 1280, theaianypresident@gmail.com, website: aia-ny.org
Admission & Event Details
Venue: Overlook Beach (next to Jones Beach), Babylon, Long Island, NY
Date: Saturday, October 11, 2025
Time: 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Fireworks (7:00 PM)
Free Admission | Free Parking
(Based on a press release issued by Parveen Chopra)
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