The Indian Panorama

Tag: Mukesh Shah

  • Housefull Hearts & High Voltage Vibes: The Night Chicago Welcomed 2026 in Grand Desi Style

    Housefull Hearts & High Voltage Vibes: The Night Chicago Welcomed 2026 in Grand Desi Style

    • Balloon Drops, Belly Rolls & Bollywood Beats: The Housefull Revolution of New Year’s Eve 2025
    • Chicago’s Desi Dynasty Rings in 2026: One Night, One Venue, One Million Memories

    CHICAGO, IL (TIP): Chicago’s South Asian Community Rings in 2026 with Electrifying Housefull New Year’s Eve Celebration at Ashton Place. As the final hours of 2025 counted down on December 31, the grand ballroom at Ashton Place in Willowbrook, Illinois, transformed into a vibrant hub of joy, music, and community spirit. This sold-out “Housefull” New Year’s Eve event welcomed families, friends, and revelers from Chicago’s South Asian diaspora for an unforgettable night of celebration, marking a heartfelt goodbye to 2025 and a warm hello to 2026.

    From the moment guests arrived at 8:00 pm, the atmosphere buzzed with excitement. Dazzling lights illuminated the venue, smiles lit up every face, and beautiful costumes added to the festive energy. The open bar flowed generously, while the unlimited lavish buffet offered a delicious array of dishes that kept everyone satisfied and energized throughout the evening. The entertainment kicked off with high-energy flair. Anusha Reddy was host who did welcome speech.

    Time for a dance

    Professional singer and co-organizer Shraddha Marathe, also known as a composer, songwriter, and CEO of DE Dream Event LLC, welcomed the crowd with infectious enthusiasm. She highlighted the night’s highlights: unlimited food and drinks, non-stop fun, and a powerhouse lineup featuring DJ Salman, who kept the beats pumping with a perfect mix of Bollywood classics, energetic hits, and timeless favorites that had every generation on their feet.

    The Star Performer

    Live singing performances brought soul and nostalgia to the celebration. The talented singers Pratibha Jairath, Raju Bankapur, and Dr. Pardeep Sood delivered a medley of popular numbers that filled the room with emotion. The audience sang along, danced freely, and created magical moments as the performers transitioned seamlessly from one beloved song to another, including crowd-pleasers that evoked laughter, romance, and pure joy.

    Adding captivating visual spectacles was mesmerizing live acts. Ashorina, a renowned Chicago-based belly dancer from the acclaimed Safire Belly Dancers troupe, delivered powerful, graceful, and technically brilliant oriental performances that left the audience spellbound with her elegant movements and cultural authenticity. Her routine blended tradition with dynamic energy, earning cheers and admiration.

    Following this, Patti Zikmund brought athletic artistry to the stage with a breathtaking pole dance showcase. Combining strength, precision, and expressive flair, her performance added an exciting new dimension to the evening, drawing enthusiastic applause from the thrilled crowd.

    Entertainers all

    For the younger attendees, thoughtful activities ensured everyone could join the fun—face painting, balloon twisting, and a 360-photo booth right outside captured memorable moments with loved ones.

    As midnight approached, the energy reached its peak. The crowd gathered for a spectacular balloon drop that showered the room in colorful confetti, accompanied by a celebratory champagne toast to health, happiness, success, and wonderful memories in the year ahead. Hugs, cheers, and renewed dancing carried the party into the early hours of January 1, 2026.

    Throughout the night, the emcee—warm, humorous, and engaging—kept the momentum alive. She introduced the visionary promoters and partners: Altaf Bukhari (the positive captain of the ship), Nikhil Gupta (the entertainer), Anusha Reddy (the beautiful entrepreneur), Pranav Mathur, Brij Kukreja (personality), Shraddha Marathe, and others. The event also honored key sponsors and community leaders with heartfelt recognition and floral bouquets on stage, including Anil Loomba (successful businessman and philanthropist), Sunil Shah (New York Life founder and FIA chairman), Dr. Bhupinder and Anita Beri (veterinarian and CEO of Animal Care Cross Road Hospital), Manish and Shailja Gandhi, Sudhir Sukheja, and supporters like Mukesh Shah CPA and Prashant Mohanty.

    The success stemmed from dedicated teamwork and community generosity. Promoters Altaf Bukhari, Nikhil Gupta, Anusha Reddy, Shraddha Marathe, and Pranav Mathur, along with supporters Pratibha Jairath, Brij Kukreja, and Abhi Trivedi, created this seamless experience. Heartfelt thanks extended to friends including Dinesh K., Leela, Vimi, Meenu S., Rekha B., Deepa G., young Meenu V., Ashwini Ji, Kiran, Preeti, Shashi ji, the Srivastav group, Parveen Ji, and many more who made it possible.

    Recognizing Supporters

    Altaf Bukhari is president of Federation of Indian Associations (FIA)-Chicago IL, Prominent community leader, politician, businessman and promoter in show business. Anusha Reddy who is organizer , host of the evening, owner of AA (Anusha & Ahana) Entertainment who is also an entrepreneur (owns taco maya Arlington heights).

    What truly defined the night was its genuine family atmosphere. Multiple generations danced side by side, shared laughs, reflected on 2025’s best moments (in one word), and built new connections. Guests praised the smooth flow, exceptional food, top-notch entertainment, and welcoming vibe that made it feel like a big family gathering.

    New Year welcome with Champaigne.

    In a world craving meaningful togetherness, this Housefull celebration at Ashton Place stood as a powerful reminder of cultural pride, gratitude, and collective joy. It wasn’t just a party, it was a vibrant testament to unity, hope, new aspirations, and the strength of community.

    As attendees departed into the fresh dawn of 2026, they carried memories of laughter, music, dance, and renewed optimism for the year ahead.

    “This Housefull New Year’s Eve at Ashton Place beautifully captured the essence of community celebration—where laughter, music, heartfelt performances, and shared gratitude turn a simple gathering into something truly magical. The energy, from live singing and captivating dances to the midnight toast, showcased the warmth and unity of our South Asian diaspora. As we embrace 2026, let these moments inspire us to keep building connections, supporting one another, and celebrating life with the same joy and positivity” Suresh Bodiwala Chairman and Founder, Asian Media USA.
    (Photographs and Press release / Asian Media USA)

  • FIA Hosts a grand India’s Independence Day Gala

    FIA Hosts a grand India’s Independence Day Gala

    Organizers with the Consul General and Neetu Chandra
    A scintillating dance performance (Photographs / Courtesy Asian Media USA)

    CHICAGO, IL (TIP):  Federation of Indian Associations [FIA] hosted a grand glittering 75th Indian Independence Day Gala Banquet marking a dazzling milestone celebration ostensibly enhanced with illuminating traditional,patriotic and contemporary dance presentations depicting the majestic elements and the magnificent soulof India matched only by the inspiring remarks that sparked the patriotic fervor of the enthusiastic guestsin a grand ballroom of the Hoffman Marriot on Friday, August 13, 2021 in Hoffman Estate, Illinois.

    The Independence Day “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav” Banquet hosted on an impressive scale filled the GrandBallroom to its full capacity with the patriotic spirit in full enthusiastic display at the celebrationssymbolizing the spirit of India lifted by awe-inspiring remarks from prominent honored guests: ConsulGeneral of India Amit Kumar, U.S.Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, Mayor Rodney Craig, Mayor TomDaily and several other ranking elected officials each heaping praise on the 75th milestonecelebrations. The gala banquet reminisced the golden moments in the history of India and paid richtributes to the vanguard of freedom fighters who accorded the Independence to India. Ms. Neetu Chandra, Bollywood Actress, National Award Winner, International Taekwondo Player graced the occasion as theGrand Marshall to the gala. Angel Tetarbe, World Peace Messenger Los Angeles 2019 and Miss GlamourousWorld India 2017 was also invited to be a part of the Gala.

    The evening gala kicked off with lamp lighting ceremony led by FIA’s Founder Sunil Shah inviting thehonored guest, Honorable Consul General of India, Chicago Mr. Amit Kumar, State Senators CristinaCastro and Laura Murphy , State representative Michelle Mussman and Mayor of Schaumburg Tom Dailly,Village President of Hoffman Estates William McLeod, Mayor of Hanover Park Rodney Craig and VillagePresident of Oak Brook Gopal Lalmalani, Dr. Umang Patel, Dr. Sreenivas Reddy and the FIA’s Founder & Past President Onkar Singh Sangha , President Dr Kamal Patel Advisory Board and Founding Members &Past Presidents Rita Singh, Dhitu Bhagwakar, Mukesh Shah, Neil Khot, Gurmeet Singh, Ninad Daftari andSunny Kular to the dais to mark the auspicious beginning of the evening’s grand celebrations that set-inmotion a series of cultural dance presentations and rousing remarks.

     Consul General of India Mr. Amit Kumar in his address outlined India’s triumphant journey since itsindependence and the rapid strides it is making towards global eminence. Consul General Mr. Amit Kumarthanked the Indian diaspora for playing a significant proactive role as ambassadors in further cementingthe ties between India and the United States and added that the trajectory of Indo-US relations is headingin the upward direction. Consul General Mr. Amit Kumar gave away the awards to several community andbusiness leaders.

    State Senators Cristina Castro and Laura Murphy , State representative Michelle Mussman and Mayor ofSchaumburg Tom Dailly, Village President of Hoffman Estates William McLeod, Mayor of Hanover ParkRodney Craig and Village President of Oak Brook Gopal Lalmalani in their address to the gathering eachpaid glowing tributes to the indomitable and enduring spirit of Indian democracy and the contribution theIndian Diaspora has made in the US and the Indo American relations that have been fast paced andimproved over the years.

    Deepakant Vyas, Dr. Umang Patel, Dr. Sreenivas Reddy, Syed Hussaini, Amarbir & Harry Ghoman, BrijSharma, Asha & Anil Oroskar, Santosh Kumar, Pinky Thakkar, Ajeet Singh, Vijay Prabhakar, Keerthi Reevoriwere recognized presented a plaque by the Consul General Amit Kumar and Ms. Neetu Chandra on behalf of FIA for their service to the community

    Earlier, the evening’s celebrations began with the beautiful rendition of the Indian and American nationalanthem led by Rita Shah & Mir Ali. Bharat Goradia a prominent National Promoter for US tours ofBollywood Personalities was invited to the stage to address the gathering and introduce Ms. NeetuChandra. Students of SR Dance Academy a Founder Member and Past President Rita Singh’s companyprovided dance numbers that enthralled the audience. Beautiful Ideas, a Neelam Saboo conceptshowcased Indian Fashion at the gala with an India themed Fashion Show. The Gala ended with Rita Shah, Mir Ali, Raju Bankapur regaling the audience with foot tapping Bollywood songs to live music.

    (Based on a Press Release by Asian Media USA)