The Indian Panorama

Tag: Arya Samaj of Long Island

  • IALI celebrates 40th Anniversary Gala Luncheon in Style

    IALI celebrates 40th Anniversary Gala Luncheon in Style

    GREAT NECK, NY(TIP): India Association of Long Island (IALI), one of the oldest, largest Indian Non-Profit Organization, representing all regions of India and serving the Indian community, held its Annual Gala to celebrate the 40thAnniversary on Saturday, June 30, 2018.

    Five very deserving, hard-working, and outstanding individuals were honored at the 40thAnniversary gala for their achievements and exemplary service to community:

    • Dev R. Chitkara, MD, FACS
    • Vishnu Dayal, Ph. D
    • Neeta Jain, Ph. D
    • Jagga Rao Alluri, MD
    • Founders of Human Care Medical Charitable Trust

    Dr. Nirmal Kumar, Dr. Ish Kumar & Mr. Sanjay Khurana

    The festivities were graced by the presence of Oyster Bay Town Supervisor, Joseph Saladino, who presented citations to all the esteemed Honorees for their outstanding accomplishments, dedication and service to the community. He also praised Indian Community for its increasing presence and contributions to the region.

    The program commenced with opening remarks by IALI Secretary Shashi Malik, followed by IALI Cultural Chair Amita Karwal who introduced a dance program, “Jhalkiyan” – a medley of dances from different regions of India starting with Ganesh Vandana, Ghoomar from Rajasthan, Lavani from Maharashtra, Kathak classical dance from North India and Bhangara from Punjab, exquisitely performed by Jyotika Patel, Neelam Modi, Vrinda Shorewala, Manjari Parikh respectively.

    IALI officials with Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino who presented a Citation to IALI President Gunjan Rastogi

    IALI President Gunjan Rastogi in her speech spoke eloquently and walked the audience through a well thought out presentation that highlighted all the IALI forums and IALI events held so far in 2018. She thanked all the attendees for their support and specifically gave a very big thank you to Advertisers of the Journal. A heartfelt thank you was given to the donations made by the Benefactor Sponsors and Patron Sponsors for 40thyear of IALI Celebration. The president thanked the TV and Print Media for their support to IALI. She reminded all to come and join IALI’s signature event – IndiaFest on Sunday, 23rdSeptember 2018, being held at North Hempstead Park (BAR Beach) Port Washington, NY, a free event for the community, being held at the same location where the first event took place in 1990.

    The event was very well attended by IALI Members, Honorees’ families and friends, Community Leaders and representatives of many organizations namely – AIA, AIF, APPI-QLI, Arya Samaj of Long Island, Children’s Hope, Domestic Harmony Foundation, Hindu Center, India Home, Kannada KOOTA, Nargis Dutt Foundation, NIAASC and TLCA. Last but not the least, 14 out of 28 past presidents also attended the affair to celebrate the 40thAnniversay Gala Luncheon.

    A captivating dance performance

    The program was wonderfully emceed by Mrs. Swati B. Hofmann and following the speeches, the floor was opened for all to join to energetic beats of DJ Azi ramping up the sound. A delicious, sumptuous and extravagant lunch was catered by Tandoor Restaurant. The ballroom was beautifully and elegantly decorated by Glamorous Event Planners and Productions. The program ended with a Vote of Thanks by IALI Secretary Shashi Malik.

    (Based on IALI Press Release)

     

     

  • Grand Republic Day Celebration on Long Island

    Grand Republic Day Celebration on Long Island

    LONG ISLAND, NY (TIP): The Coalition of Indian Organizations of Long Island celebrated the 69th Republic Day of India on January 31, attended by the Consul General of India in New York, Ambassador Sandeep Chakravorty, judges of NY Supreme Court, public officials at the local and state level as well as who’s who of the Indian community on the island.

    The rare event bringing fourteen Indian organizations of Long Island under one umbrella along with the largest gathering of the American dignitaries was the brainchild of Varinder Bhalla, Chairman of the Indian American Voters Forum, and the culmination of inspiration and support by Ambassador Chakravorty. The community responded enthusiastically packing the Clinton G Martin Hall in New Hyde Park to capacity.

    (From L to R): Dr. Ajay Lodha, former President of the American Association of Physicians from India, Emcee & Event Coordinator Ratna Bhalla, Hempstead Town Clerk Sylvia Cabana and Hempstead Supervisor Laura Gillen presenting a Citation to Ambassador Chakravorty, with Varinder Bhalla.

    The participants were the Association of Indians in America represented by its national President Dr. Urmilesh Arya, and its NY Chapter represented by its President Gobind Munjal; the Arya Samaj of Long Island represented by its Founder Veer Mukhi; Asa Mai Temple represented by Founder Gobind Bathija; Brahmakumaris of Long Island represented by Anjani Persaud; the Federation of Malayalee Associations represented by its Chairman Thomas Oommen; the Gujrati Samaj of New York represented by its President Minesh Patel; Indian American Physicians of Long Island represented by Dr. Rakesh Dua & Dr. Ajay Lodha; the India Association of Long Island represented by its President Gunjan Rastogi; the Indian American Voters Forum represented its Chairman & the event coordinator Varinder Bhalla; International Punjabi Society represented by President Dr. Rajinder Uppal; Rajasthan Association of North America represented by President Dr. Ajey Jain; SPARK Youth Club of New York represented by its Founder Dr. Himanshu Pandya; the World Spiritual Awareness Forum Inc. represented by Rakesh Bhargava and the World Malayalee Association represented by its President Koshy Oommen.

    (From L to R): Ratna Bhalla, State Senator Elaine Phillip honoring Ambassador Sandeep Chakravorty with a Proclamation from the Senate of New York, First Lady of the India Consulate Taruna Chakravorty, and Event Chair Varinder Bhalla.

    New York Supreme Court Justices Denise Sher & Ruth Balkin represented the judiciary; NY Senator Elaine Phillips presented a Senate Proclamation to Ambassador Chakravorty; Nassau County was represented by its Legislature Majority Leader Rich Nicolello and Legislator Tom McKevitt. Also in attendance was Nassau County Comptroller Jack Schnirman who was profusely applauded for including a Hindu prayer in his inaugural program earlier in the month.

    Hempstead Township, larger than seven States of America, was represented by its Town Clerk Sylvia Cabana and Supervisor Laura Gillen, the first Democrat in over a century elected to that post. On January 26, Gillen hoisted the Indian tricolor flag atop the Town Hall.

    Gillen also presented a Citation to Ambassador Chakravorty honoring the 68th anniversary of the India Republic Day. Another Republic Day Citation was presented to the Ambassador on behalf of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino.

    Niketa Bhatia, who successfully petitioned the Syosset School District to have the Festival of Diwali designated as an official holiday was honored with a Citation from the Oyster Bay Township.

    The highlight of the cultural segment was a performance by the artists of the Surati for Performing Arts, nationally acclaimed group which has performed at the Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center, and the United Nations among others. The Indian kids in the tricolor dresses enthralled the Indian audience and the American dignitaries alike. Manav Khurana, 13, a self-taught dholak player at the age of 8, captivated the audience with his stellar performance.

    The pageantry of the Republic Day event was enhanced by bagpipers of Nassau County Firefighters Band which had earlier played at the Trump Presidential Inaugural in Washington DC and in Europe on the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I.

    (Press Release)