HICKSVILLE, NY (TIP): Color, Noise and Revelry and Excitement, these were the words used to describe what was the Holi event celebrated by IALI on March 19, 2017.

The Festival of Colors “HOLI” was celebrated at Antun’s by Minar with a huge crowd of over 300 attendees included dignitaries, community leaders, IALI Members, Past Presidents, Volunteers, Families and Friends. The event was made more festive with the children running around with colors smeared on their faces and participation of the little kids in the entertainment.

Attendees were greeted by IALI Executive Council Members with a traditional greeting of gulal, tikka and application of festive Holi colors.

The program started at 12 with appetizers and meet and greet. MC for the event was Dr. Sukhwinder Ranu, Past President of IALI. The program started with the Invocation of the Shlokas by Narinder Kapoor. President Bina Sabapathy welcomed everybody and in her speech re-emphasized about working together with the Community to achieve goals and bringing the Community together. She requested for everyone’s support in the upcoming Vaisakhi cruise on April 30thand the Annual Fundraising Gala Dinner at the Melville Hilton on June 4th.

Emcee continued the program with the Introduction of the IALI Executive Board and Council, and Past Presidents.

Guest of Honor included Town Clerk, Nasrin Ahmad, Town of Hempstead and Nassau County Comptroller Honorable George Maragos. Hon. Town Clerk greeted everyone with Happy Holi remarks. Citations were presented on behalf of the Town of Hempstead to IALI.

Hon. George Maragos attended with his wife along with Senior Adviser to Comptroller, Mr. Dilip Chauhan. Hon. George Maragos presented big bundle of toys to President Sabapathy for IALI toy drive.

Entertainment was provided by Tara Chaudhary student of Shilpa Mithaiwala from Rhythm Dance Academy,Bollywood Medley by Arya Academy students, choreographed by Shilpa Jhurani. Entertainment also included “Dola Re Dola” a solo by Sandhya Prasad from Nataraj Center for Performing Arts and RajLuxmi who entertained everyone with her melodious voice. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Secretary Lalit Aery and dancing to the tunes of DJ Tony.

There was a ripple of excitement when the raffle was being drawn. Vendorsat the event included Ashma Creations by Meenu Kumar and Vaishali Vig’s Shawl Collections.

Sponsors for the event were Navika Capital Group, Vass Pipes & Steel Coand People’s Bank.

A Souvenir Program Booklet was released to mark the occasion.

A huge thanks to the Media – Print Media – The Indian Panorama, South Asian Times, South Asian Insider, Hum Hindustani, Indian Express, and TV channels included ITV and PTC.