EDISON, NJ (TIP): The Bihar Jharkhand Association of North America (BJANA) held its spectacular annual Diwali celebration on Oct 26th, 2024, in the ballroom of the Royal Albert’s Palace, New Jersey, USA. The event was attended by more than 700 community members from New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Delaware. The attendees got to enjoy cultural programs, exhibitions by sponsors, Indian festive food, and performance by Indian Idol fame singer Sonakshi Kar who came all the way from India just for this event.
This vibrant extravaganza featured an array of activities that showcased the rich cultural diversity of Bihar and Jharkhand. The event included captivating dance performances, melodious singing by children and adults from the community, and a poem recital. Attendees were also treated to engaging exhibitions by generous sponsors, heartfelt messages from distinguished guests, delectable Indian cuisine, and an energetic dance floor – thanks to singer Sonakshi Kar and her team who enthralled the audience with their melodious performances that kept everyone on their feet throughout the night.
The guest of honor, Mr. Upendra Chivukula, Commissioner of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, applauded the BJANA team for all their efforts and extended his warm wishes for a Happy Diwali to all. Ms. Pragya Singh, Consul (Community Affairs) also graced the event as a special guest. Furthermore, the Chief Minister of Bihar Mr. Nitish Kumar, Honorable Chief Minister of Jharkhand Mr. Hemant Soren, and the Honorable Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar Mr. Vijay Kumar Sinha conveyed his heartfelt congratulations and Diwali wishes to the entire Bihar and Jharkhand community in the United States.
The Executive team of BJANA.
BJANA felicitated distinguished community leaders Mr. Alok Kumar – New Jersey, Dr. Surabhi Prasad – New Jersey, Mr. Chittaranjan Sahay – Connecticut, Mr. Lalit Jha – Press Trust of India, Washington DC, Ms. Rashmi Tewary and Mr. Kamlesh Tewary – Tewary Law Firm, New Jersey during this Diwali celebration. Recognition of this kind highlights BJANA’s commitment to acknowledging and celebrating those who have made a lasting impact on the community.
The event was honored by the attendance of BJANA’s founding members, Mr. Mrityunjay Singh and Mr. Rajendra Prasad. BJANA team proudly kicked off the planning for their 50th anniversary celebrations going to be held on May 24th and 25th, 2025, with the esteemed founding members and many past presidents of their organization.
Mr. Sanjeev Singh, the President of BJANA, took the stage to address the attendees. He emphasized BJANA’s ongoing fundraising efforts and charitable activities in the USA, Bihar, and Jharkhand, expressing gratitude to the community members for their active participation and unwavering support for BJANA’s philanthropic endeavors. He thanked all the committee members and volunteers for their efforts and hard work.
Indian Americans celebrate the 77th Independence Day with enthusiasm
The CG addresses the gathering.New York Governor Kathy Hochul in her video message spoke highly of India and the Indian Americans.Sanjukta Sen and Kruti Acharya sand Bhajans and patriotic songs.Consul General Randhir Kumar Jaiswal who hoisted the national flag at Times Square, speaking on the occasion.
I.S. Saluja
NEW YORK (TIP):The Consulate General of India in New York, celebrated 77th Independence Day of India on Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at the Consulate in the presence of members of the community. On the occasion, a Flag Hoisting Ceremony was held in the morning in the Consulate Ball Room. Mr. Randhir Jaiswal, Consul General, unfurled the national flag and Indian national anthem was sung. Consul General read out the Address of the President of India and conveyed his greetings to the gathering. The event was made even more special by melodious renditions of patriotic songs by Sanjukta Sen, music teacher with Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, and her disciple Kruti Acharya.
Amidst the felicitations, heartening congratulatory messages were received from a host of esteemed local elected officials. Of special significance was a video message from Governor Kathy Hochul of New York State, who highlighted the profound contributions of the Indian community that enrich the cultural and economic tapestry of New York. Commemorative proclamations celebrating India’s 76 years of independence were also issued by the Governors of Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Ohio.
The Consul General raised the national flag at a special event organized by the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA – NY/NJ/CT) at the iconic Times Square in New York City. Music and dances brought cheer to the attendees and onlookers. Rimli Roy’s Surati group gave a great dance performance. Among those who attended, included Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, the sarod maestro and the renowned Chef Vikas Khanna. The Times Square event featured the grand unveiling of a symbolic replica of the Konark Sun Temple’s wheel, embodying the essence of India’s philosophy and thought. On the occasion, the iconic Empire State Building in New York City was also lit in India’s tricolors.
Noteworthy among this year’s festivities was the flag raising ceremony at the historic Bowling Green arena, by the Consul General and Mayor Eric Adams of New York City. This la
Konark Sun Temple Wheel (Chakra) on display at Times Square.
ndmark event organized by Mr. Sivadasan Nair of Indian Cultural Association of North America, Inc., was attended by Deputy Mayor of NYC Meera Joshi, Assemblywoman Jennifer Rajkumar, and several senior elected officials of Indian descent in the Mayor’s administration, besides members of the Indian community. The celebrations of Independence Day in Northeast US started on August 05th at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania with an event organized by Asian Indian Americans of Central Pennsylvania (AIACPA) featuring a unique Robotic competition and also a Parade displaying India’s rich culture.
Among other several community-organized events, the prominent ones included an event organized by Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) at Stamford, Connecticut; flag hoisting ceremony at Philadelphia City Hall by Council of Indian Organizations in Greater Philadelphia; flag hoisting ceremony at Hartford, Connecticut by The India Association of Central Connecticut; India day Parade organized by Council of Heritage and Arts of India, at Williamsville, Buffalo, India Day Parade & Flag Hoisting celebrations organized by Federation of Indian Associations (FIA-NE), at the iconic Boston Harbour and other celebrations. The annual Battery Dance Festival showcased India’s classical dance on August 15, 2023 at Battery Park. FIA NY-NJ-CT will organize the largest India Day Parade, outside of India, on 20th August on Madison avenue. Earlier in the week, the Indo-American Arts Council organized a three-day music festival to commemorate the 77th Independence Day of India featuring prominent artists such as Padma Shri Malini Awasthi and Ustad Amjad Ali Khan.
To celebrate India’s independence under the aegis of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM), the Consulate General of India, New York organized a special event ‘Mitti Ki Khusboo–Mitti Ki Yadein’ on memories of growing up years in India on August 14, 2023. Those who spoke on the occasion included Colonel Virendra Tavathia, Professor Indrajit Saluja, Dr. Amarjit Shastri, Mr. Thomas Mottackal, Mr. Alok Kumar, Mr. Harish Thakkar, Mr. Nachiketa Mitra, , Ms. Vandana Nayak, and Mr. Siddharth Jain. An Exhibition on ‘horrors on partition’ was also displayed in the Consulate. Selfie point was set up for the community members to take a selfie with maati diya in hand and upload on merimaatimeradesh.gov.in, and www.yuva.gov.in with #Har Ghar Tiranga #Meri Maati Mera Desh. A standee with salutation to the brave soldiers was displayed on August 14 and also during the flag hoisting ceremony held at the Consulate on August 15, and later at Times Square.
Independence Day was celebrated with great enthusiasm at a number of places in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. In Queens, New York, a parade, organized by Floral Park, Bellerose Indian Merchants Association, was taken out on August 13. A parade in celebration of India’s Independence Day was taken out in New Jersey.
India’s Independence Day was celebrated at City Hall of Jersey City with Congressman Rob Menendez joining the celebrations on August 17.
In Nassau County, India’s Independence Day was celebrated at Town of Oyster Bay on August 15. Town Supervisor Town of Hempstead Supervisor Don Clavin hosted India’s Independence Day celebration on August 15.
Then there are upcoming parades and celebrations. The largest India Day Parade outside of India is organized by FIANYNJCT. The 41st edition of the Parade takes place on Sunday, August 20.
Another parade organized by IDPUSA in Hicksville on Long Island is scheduled for Sunday, August 27.
In order to recognize and do honor to celebrations, The Indian Panorama will bring readers detailed reports on Independence Day celebrations in the editions to follow in the next two weeks.
The celebrations organized around Independence Day, this year, had a distinct flavor of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. Wholehearted Participation from members of the diaspora and friends of India transformed the landmark celebrations into a true people’s movement. (With inputs from the Consulate General of India, New York)
Rimli Roy’s Surati group of dancers perform at Chakra Sculpture inauguration.Vikas Khanna with two visitors who came to see the Chakra. L to R: Rohini Thapar, Vikas Khanna , and Sachin Vinayak
NEW YORK (TIP): Press Trust of India White House Correspondent Lalit K. Jha who comes from Bihar was honored for his work and contribution in the field of journalism and Maithili language , one of the Bihar languages, at a crowded Bihar Day celebration at the Indian Consulate here on March 21, 2023. Mr. Jha was presented a robe of honor by the Consul General of India at New York, Ambassador Randhir Kumar Jaiswal, himself a Bihari. Mr. Alok Kumar described Mr. Jha as a great son of Bihar and thanked him for the great work he has done in the field of promotion of Maithili language and in the field of journalism. He said Mr. Jha has done proud to Bihar and Biharis. In his acceptance speech, Mr. Jha said that Biharis have contributed greatly to the nation and the world. About his work, he said it was ongoing work and he hopes to continue to work for the promotion of Maithili.
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