NEW ROCHELLE, NY (TIP): Amidst the mixed feelings within our community and country, a radiant celebration of Diwali took place at the Mamaroneck Library on November 9. Community members from Rye, Larchmont, New Rochelle, Harrison, and Mamaroneck gathered to honor this significant occasion for the Hindu community. Organized by Sonal Seth and Terry Numa, this vibrant event brought families together to connect through the thread of diversity.
U.S. Representative-Elect George Latimer delivered inspiring opening remarks on cultural diversity and community spirit. Shree Seth and Samara Karkara met with Latimer to discuss their initiatives for advancing community engagement.
The event also highlighted shared cultural practices, with participants exchanging insights about the Jewish use of light during Hanukkah, Latin traditions of Día de los Muertos with marigolds and candles, and Christian customs of lighting candles.
For seven years, Sonal Patel-Sheth and Terry Numa have collaborated with a passionate desire to unite the community. This year’s celebration invited attendees to immerse themselves in the rich traditions of Diwali, featuring diya painting, henna tattoos, and a sari-wearing demonstration. Many dressed in traditional Indian attire, enhancing the festive atmosphere.
The family members of Sonal Patel-Sheth and Terry Numa at the Diwali celebration
NEW YORK CITY (TIP): Celebrating Jharkhand Diwas 2024: Honoring the Spirit and Achievements of Jharkhand The Bihar Jharkhand Association of North America (BJANA) hosted a celebration of Jharkhand Diwas on Thursday, November 14th, 2024, at the Consulate General of India in New York. Jharkhand Diwas commemorates the formation of Jharkhand as a separate state in India. The occasion celebrates the state’s rich cultural heritage and its contributions to India’s growth and development.
The Consul General of India, New York, Mr. Binaya Srikanta Pradhan highlighted the importance of cultural celebrations and appreciated the work done by BJANA in Jharkhand at the grass root level. Other distinguished guests, community leaders, and members of BJANA came together to mark the significance of Jharkhand Divas and its cultural importance.
The achievements of the Jharkhand diaspora in the United States and the collective impact of the people of Jharkhand on the global stage were highlighted at this event. Ms. Archana Sharma, a New Jersey based restaurateur, Mr. Arvind Prakash, an alumnus of BIT Mesra and founder of an IT services company, Mr. Gopal Pathak, Vice Chancellor of Sarla Birla University in Ranchi, Mr. Ajay Singh, Chief Sustainability and Environmental Officer at Metropolitan Transportation Authority NYC, Mr. Indrajit Saluja, Editor-in-Chief of Indian Panorama, New York, Ms. Anubha and Mr. Parimal Singh, both IIT Kharagpur alumni and restaurateurs in Seattle were felicitated with Jharkhand Gaurav Award at the event for their immense contribution to the society.
A captivating dance performance.
The event also featured a rich tapestry of performances, showcasing the diversity and artistic brilliance of Jharkhand. Traditional folk dances, melodious musical performances, and performance by kids captivated the audience, providing a glimpse into the cultural richness of the region. Art showcasing Jharkhand’s handicrafts and handlooms were also exhibited at the event.
BJANA put a spotlight on its ongoing community welfare initiatives, which include efforts in tribal empowerment, women’s rights, education, and healthcare access in Jharkhand. These initiatives demonstrate BJANA’s commitment to supporting the socio-economic development of the region. The event was addressed by these Awardees. Dr. Avinash Gupta, president of FIA, past president of BJANA, and a respected community leader, addressed the gathering with an inspiring message. He emphasized the importance of giving back, reminding everyone of our responsibility to contribute both to the communities we live and work in here and to the communities we left behind in India, which have given us so much. Dr. Gupta extended a warm invitation to all to join BJANA’s 50th anniversary celebrations next year during the Memorial Day weekend, a milestone event that will proudly showcase the rich heritage of Bihar and Jharkhand.
BJANA president Mr. Sanjeev Singh in his remarks said “We are proud of CGI New York and BJANA to provide a platform for our community to come together, celebrate, and keep our traditions alive in this diverse diaspora. It is also remarkable that BJANA will complete 50 years of its existence in 2025 and we have officially launched the golden jubilee celebrations to happen on May 24-25, 2025. We would love for everyone from the diaspora to be a part of it.” The event also provided an opportunity for networking and fostering a sense of community among the attendees.
About BJANA: The Bihar Jharkhand Association of North America (BJANA) is a non-profit, cultural, and social organization dedicated to serving the community of individuals from the Indian states of Bihar and Jharkhand residing in North America. The association’s mission is to promote the cultural heritage, traditions, and values of these states while also fostering social, educational, and economic progress within the community.
QUEENS, NEW YORK (TIP): Stanford Law and University of Pennsylvania-educated lawyer Jenifer Rajkumar says she brings an unparalleled record of public service and leadership. This includes fighting workplace discrimination for 5,000 women — a case recognized by the United Nations as one of the top 10 in the world promoting women’s equality.
The outgoing Assembly Member, who has represented District 38 for many years and served as New York’s first-ever Director of Immigration Affairs, managing a $31 million project to provide legal services to immigrants, shared these sentiments when she kicked off her campaign for New York City Comptroller, on Nov. 21, adding, “I am ready to fight for the working people of New York City and remove the obstacles standing in the way of their dreams.”
Rajkumar, a public servant for all New Yorkers, brought together a coalition of hundreds of supporters from all Five Boroughs at The Palace in Woodside, noting that she is running to make history as the first South Asian and first woman of color to be Comptroller.
A champion of education, Rajkumar, a former CUNY professor, said. “No one thought I would be standing here today. But nothing can stop a determined South Asian woman. For every New Yorker who has been underestimated and counted out, this campaign is for you,” she told a rapt audience.
Rajkumar outlined her vision of wielding the Comptroller’s powers to address the most pressing issues facing New Yorkers. She said she would develop solutions to address the 9,000 people committing most crimes, crack down on reckless e-bikes, close the gender wage gap, create a bridge to college for high school graduates, improve access to affordable housing, and safeguard $270 billion in pension fund assets for 700,000 current and retired City employees. She called for bold leadership and a culture of service to restore trust in City government
Enthusiastic community support for Jenifer Rajkumar.
She highlighted her record of achievements in Albany, at every step accomplishing what detractors told her was impossible. Rajkumar became the first South Asian woman elected to the New York State Office, defeating an incumbent by the widest margin of any primary challenger. She went on to pass the historic Diwali School Holiday bill so that now and forever, 600,000 New Yorkers can celebrate one of their most sacred days of the year without children missing school. This year, she passed the SMOKEOUT Act, empowering the city to close over 1,200 illegal smoke shops in months.
She concluded her remarks with a rallying cry: “Are you ready to make this truly the greatest city in the world? Let’s win this together!”
A coalition of activists from diverse communities, religious leaders of all faiths, local business owners, women leaders, and New Yorkers from all walks of life — many immigrants who came to New York to achieve the American Dream- applauded Rajkumar. Among them were members of New York’s Indian, African American, Latino, Jewish, AAPI, Muslim, Dominican, Colombian, Nepali, Bangladeshi, Tibetan, Filipino, Caribbean, Pakistani, Sikh, and LGBTQ+ communities. The crowd reflected the overwhelming momentum for her people-powered campaign, which raised more than any other Comptroller candidate in the latest filing period.
(Source: Caribbean Life)
NEW YORK (TIP): After successful shows in NYC in 2023, and productions in India earlier this year, Surati’s Ramaavan – A Musical returned this fall for 6 shows at the off-Broadway Cullum Theatre in New York City. Ramaavan – A Musical is an innovative dance and musical theater experience adapted from the celebrated ancient Indian epic the Ramayana, that has been loved and revered for centuries. The evolving musical has enthralled audiences of a variety of backgrounds and tastes. They have called Roy’s interpretation of the ancient epic bold, innovative and universal in appeal. The treatment crosses boundaries of race, bias and preconceived societal notions as well as of traditional genres of dance and music in retelling one of India’s greatest epics.
Recently Surati for Performing Arts received their first grant from the NEA for Ramaavan. Founder and Artistic Director of Surati, Rimli Roy says, “We are happy that we are able to stage this production in the Fall too, which is the Diwali season since the show also unravels the story of the festival of lights.”
Consul General Binaya Srikanta Pradhan praised the event, stating, “It was one of the best creative events, and compliments to Ms. Rimli Roy for conceptualizing and bringing it together with a diverse group of artists. I am happy that the essence of the Ramayana was not compromised.”
Hudson County music journalist and novelist Tris McCall shared his admiration for the production, stating, “I was particularly impressed by the quartet of Indian dancers. I loved watching what they did—it’s not a tradition I know very much about, but I thought they danced beautifully. The actress portraying the golden deer was terrific as well.”
Carrying on the tradition, Surati will be hosting a grand Diwali celebration this weekend where they will also perform the songs of Ramaavan on November 15th at Surati Studios in Jersey City. The Ramaavan cast will be present at this event.
Conceptualized, written and directed by Rimli Roy, with music by Sumit and Rajesh Roy, lyrics, verses and dialogues by Arati Roy, Lighting design by Jacob Smith
the cast of Ramaavan includes Jonathan Power, Madison Halla, August Williams, Tanner Hodson, Jeremiah Williams, Umang Sawhney, Persephone Zymos, Chelsea Hart, Hitanshi Patel, Harsha Harikumar, Mihika Keran, Sanika Pophale, Fiona Smith, Kijana Lewis, and Mari Takayama.
Donors and sponsors include the Consulate General of India in New York, Dance NYC, National Endowment for the Arts, Jersey City Arts and Culture Trust Fund, New Jersey Arts & Culture Renewal Fund, Hudson County Office of Cultural Affairs, New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism, Board Members of IAAC Anil Bansal and Rajeev Kaul and other individual donors and patrons.
ELMONT, NY (TIP): The National Indo-American Association for Senior Citizens (NIAASC) celebrated its 35th National Conference and 25th Anniversary on November 9, 2024, at the Kerala Center in Elmont, NY. The day-long event brought together senior citizens, community leaders, healthcare experts, and supporters in a memorable gathering to mark 25 years of dedicated service to the senior Indian American community.
NIAASC President Gunjan Rastogi opened the event, welcoming attendees and acknowledging the accomplishments of NIAASC over the past 25 years. “Today is about celebrating not only our organization’s history but also our commitment to continually addressing the needs of our senior community. We are incredibly grateful for the dedication of our board members, supporters, and collaborative partners who have helped NIAASC grow and thrive,” Rastogi said in her opening remarks. Rajeshwar prasad the founder and the chairman of NIAASC presented the Historical perspective of 25 years of NIAASC.
The conference highlighted practical topics essential to the health, wellness, and daily life of seniors. Key sessions included:
“Practical Points to Achieve Healthier Outcomes with Nutrition” presented by nutrition expert Rita Shah Batheja, offering attendees valuable insights on how nutrition choices directly impact health outcomes and well-being.
“How to Stay Out of Hospitals” by Dr. Subramanium Srinivasan, focusing on preventive healthcare measures that seniors can adopt to support long-term wellness and reduce hospital visits.
“Enhancing Daily Life with New Technology” by Dr. John Power, who introduced seniors to technological tools designed to improve quality of life, mobility, and communication.
In addition to these engaging presentations, Sumptuous Breakfast was enjoyed by the attendees, which was sponsored by India Home. Gunjan Rastogi thanked the sponsors and donors for their contributions in making the conference free of charge to the NIAASC members and attendees. Gunjan Rastogi thanked the dedicated volunteers who helped moving the conference smoothly.
NIAASC Board of Directors
The presidents of the collaborating organizations Gobind Munjal -President of National AIA – Association of Indians in America (AIA) and Alex Esthappan President of the Kerala Center, thanked NIAASC for the partnership and for doing a great service for seniors.
After the Luncheon, guests enjoyed a cultural performance by talented artists Pradep Rastogi and Vandana Kumar.
NIAASC honored Bharat Rana of FISANA and senior program of Indo-American Seniors of New York, for their service to seniors .
NIAASC also presented a founders award to Rajeshwar Prasad, for his vison and pioneering Spirit in advancing and Shaping our senior Community. The day concluded with the 25th NIAASC General Body Meeting, featuring annual reports and organizational updates.
About NIAASC
Founded formally in 1999, the National Indo-American Association for Senior Citizens (NIAASC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving Indian American seniors through advocacy, information dissemination, and referrals. Over the past 25 years, NIAASC has grown into a respected institution that provides seniors with the tools they need to live independent, fulfilling lives.
For more information about NIAASC, its mission, and membership opportunities, please visit our website www.niaasc.org.
CHANDIGARH (TIP) : New York based businessman and eminent Indian American community leader Karamjit Singh Dhaliwal’s daughter Sukhjit Kaur Dhaliwal was engaged to Raunaq Singh Aulakh, son of Jatinder Singh Aulakh in Chandigarh on Saturday, November 16, 2024.
Governor of Punjab , Shri Gulab Chand Kataria ( 5th from the left) was at hand to congratulate Sukhjit Kaur (4th from the left) on her engagement. The engagement ceremony was blessed by Acharya Dr. Lokesh Muni Ji ( 3rd from the right).
NEW YORK CITY (TIP): An Indian Parliamentary delegation consisting of Shri Birendra Prasad Baishya, Shri Vijayasai Reddy V , Shri Akshay Yadav, Smt. Sandhya Ray, Shri Tejasvi Surya , and Ms. Bansuri Swaraj was accorded a warm reception by the Consul General Binaya S. Pradhan and the Indian American community representatives at the Indian Consulate here on November 20, 2024.
Members of Parliament and the Consul General shared their thoughts
Hon’ble Members of Parliament had an engaging interaction with distinguished members of the Indian-American community. They lauded the incredible achievements and appreciated the invaluable contributions of the Indian diaspora to the diverse fabric of the USA, celebrating their commitment to Indian heritage and their significant role in fostering a strong India-USA partnership.
Members of the Indian Diaspora who spoke on the occasion.
Diaspora members, including Edison Mayor Sam Joshi , Dr. Samin K. Sharma, Dr. Thomas Abraham, Mr. Gaurav Verma , Prof. Indrajit Saluja , Dr. Avinash Gupta, Mr. Rakesh Kaul , Dr. Hari Shukla, and Mr. Jatinder Singh Bakshi, shared their perspectives on different aspects of the Indian-American relationship and expressed a strong desire to give back to the motherland.
Parliamentary delegation members with the Consul General and members of the Indian Diaspora at the reception.
Earlier, Consul General Binaya Srikanta Pradhan welcomed the members of the delegation , Sam Joshi, Mayor of Edison, and the Indian Diaspora members. He spoke about the Consulate’s jurisdiction and consular services. He spoke about the Bharat ko Janiye campaign launched by government of India to provide to the Indian Diaspora young people an opportunity to visit India and know the country of their origin. He also spoke about the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas celebrations from January 8 to 10, 2025 in Bhubaneshwar, Odisha. Incidentally, Mr. Pradhan hails from Odisha.
Delegation of Members of Parliament which was given a reception at the Consulate on November 7, 2024. Consul General Binay Srikanta Pradhan is seen speaking on the occasion.
It is after many years that delegations of Members of Parliament have visited the United Nations. Covid period had disrupted the regular visits of these delegations. A delegation of Members of Parliament visited the Consulate a few days ago, to be precise on November 7, 2024. It included Ms Indu Bala Goswami, Ms Kavita Patidar, Shri Sudhanshu Trivedi, Shri Sambit Patra, Shri Vivek Thakur, Shri Dharmapuri Arvind, Shri Rajiv Shukla, Shri KTS Tulsi, Ms Sushmita Dev, Shri Ram Gopal Yadav, Shri Milind Murli Deora, Shri Tiruchi Siva, , Ms Swati Maliwal, and Shri Tangella Uday Srinivas.
Delegation of Members of Parliament with the Consul General and members of the Indian Diaspora at the reception at the Consulate on November 7, 2024.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Sambit Patra narrated the story of Guru Nanak Dev ji’s visit to Puri where he had sung the holy AARTA, which is AARTI in Hindi language. It is one of the most poetical compositions of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
Members of the Indian Diaspora that The Indian Panorama spoke to were appreciative of the initiative taken by the Consul General to have the delegations interact with the community. They were unanimous in saying that such interactions helped create a better understanding of the perspectives and contribute to strengthening of relationships.
NEW YORK (TIP): BRUHUD New York Seniors, one of the largest senior organizations in the Tristate area of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, celebrated its 16th Annual Deepawali Gala with great enthusiasm. The event, held at the Ganesh Temple Auditorium, witnessed an impressive turnout of over 700 attendees.
Chief Guest Prem Bhandari addressing the gathering.Prem Bhandari
BRUHUD, a nonprofit organization based in New York, is dedicated to addressing issues relevant to its senior population, such as health and community engagement. Dr. Rekha Bhandari, a triple-board-certified expert in Internal Medicine, Geriatrics, and Palliative Care, in her message on the occasion highlighted a critical challenge faced by Indian seniors: loneliness. She noted, “The biggest epidemic among seniors is loneliness. Their problems are unique due to language and racial issues.”
The evening’s Chief Guest, Prem Bhandari, Chairman of Jaipur Foot USA and a prominent advocate for the Indian diaspora, made a significant announcement that two Jaipur Foot camps will be held in Gujarat in January 2025. The camps, to be held at Mahudi Jain Teerth near Ahmedabad and Dang for the tribal community, are sponsored by BRUHUD President Ajay Patel in memory of his late father, Shashikant Bhai Patel, who founded BRUHUD in 2009.
Bhandari shared updates from Jaipur Foot Founder Padma Bhushan D.R. Mehta, announcing that a Jaipur Foot camp at the Somnath Temple in Gujarat has already benefited 300 differently-abled individuals. By November 23, 2024, another 300 people are expected to be fitted with prosthetics. He praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts in supporting the Jaipur Foot movement and noted that under the “India for Humanity” campaign, Jaipur Foot USA’s parent organization, BMVSS, has conducted 30 international camps sponsored by the Ministry of External Affairs, with the 31st camp currently underway in Madagascar. He also revealed plans for the first-ever permanent Jaipur Foot center in Malawi.
Honoring the Diaspora’s Champions
BRUHUD President Ajay Patel welcomed attendees and recognized individuals for their exceptional contributions
Pragya Singh, Consul, Community Affairs receives the award on behalf of Dr. Varun Jeph.
Dr. Varun Jeph, Deputy Consul General of India in New York, was honored with a plaque for his distinguished service to the diaspora. The award, presented by the Chief Guest Prem Bhandari, was accepted by Pragya Singh, Consul (Community Affairs).
Mohan Nannapaneni with his award.
Mohan Nannapaneni, Founder of Team Aid, was lauded for his service, particularly in facilitating the repatriation of mortal remains from the U.S. to India.
Girish Salian is honored
Girish Salian, Air India’s US Head, was honored for his exemplary service during the COVID-19 crisis.
The event also celebrated the efforts of past Consulate Generals of India in New York
Gyaneshwar Muley for initiating the “Consulate at Your Doorstep” program.
Sandeep Chakravorty for his remarkable work during the pandemic.
Randhir Jaiswal for achieving “zero pendency” at the New York Consulate.
In his speech, Prem Bhandari emphasized the importance of unity among Indian organizations, stating, “We may have different organizations promoting state-wise culture and heritage, but when it comes to unity, we must stand together as one.”
BUHURD President Ajay Patel addressing the gathering
Speaking on the occasion, BUHURD President Ajay Patel said that in view of the observations made by Dr. Rekha Bhandari, BUHURD will organize periodically health seminars with a view to educating the members on health issues and the health care that they should take care of themselves. He appreciated the medical fraternity for their cooperation with BRUHUD.
The evening was a blend of cultural celebration and community spirit, with dignitaries like Ashok Sancheti, Advisor, Jaipur Foot USA; Harish Thakkar, Treasurer, Jaipur Foot USA; and Ravi Jargarh, Secretary, Rajasthan Association of North America (RANA), in attendance.
The gala concluded with Bollywood music performances, making it a night to remember for the Indian diaspora.
PRINCETON, NJ (TIP): A heartfelt and inspiring evening unfolded at Trinity Church, Princeton, NJ, where Kuleen Singh and Kunwar Singh hosted a remarkable fundraiser in support of the Pokhrama Foundation. This event brought together a community dedicated to transforming the lives of underprivileged children in rural India through education.
A Vision Born in Bihar
At the center of this movement is Ajay Singh, a visionary whose roots trace back to the small village of Pokhrama in Lakhisarai district, Bihar. Now a successful pharmaceutical entrepreneur in the United States, Ajay’s journey of service began when he realized that the education his parents had sacrificed so much to provide him was the key to his own success. Aware of the countless bright children in his village who lacked access to education, Ajay was moved to take action.
The attendees
In 2016, Pokhrama Foundation was born. The mission of the Foundation is simple yet profound: to provide world-class education to children in rural Bihar, empowering them to compete on a global stage. Together with his dedicated team, Ajay Singh is transforming the lives of children by opening doors to new opportunities.
The Power of Community Support The Foundation’s journey has been supported by a growing community of passionate individuals. Ajay Singh’s tireless efforts have not gone unnoticed; he was recently honored with the prestigious Bihar Vishwa Gaurav Samman by the Bihar Foundation USA for his exceptional contributions to the state’s development. This recognition has further solidified the Foundation’s mission to uplift the underprivileged.
Ajay Singh Founder, Anil Bansal supporter , Sanjeev Singh , Kumud Bansal and the attendees
Building a Sustainable Educational Model Ajay Singh emphasized during the event that the Pokhrama Foundation is committed not just to providing education but to creating a holistic environment for learning. The Pokhrama Foundation Academy currently educates 325 children across five villages in Lakhisarai. The Foundation’s efforts have been particularly focused on encouraging girls’ education; just last year, of the 57 students admitted, 32 were girls. Additionally, the Foundation runs a continuing education program for high school dropouts, preparing them for university entrance exams.
Join Us in Making a Difference
The fundraiser was a resounding success, generating substantial support to expand the reach of the Foundation. However, the journey is far from over. The Pokhrama Foundation invites everyone who believes in the transformative power of education to contribute to its mission.
Here’s how you can help:
Annual cost for one child’s education: $650
Uniforms for 25 children: $1,250
Installation of a bio-gas plant: $2,500
Annual salary for one teacher: $5,000
Playground equipment: $6,000
Solar panel installation: $65,000
Your generous support can help change the lives of hundreds of children, giving them the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.
Donate Now: For those who couldn’t attend the event, you can still contribute to the Pokhrama Foundation’s mission by visiting :https://pokhramafoundation.org/donate/
Nishtha Singh and Garima Gaur
About Pokhrama Foundation The Pokhrama Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to empowering underprivileged children in rural India through high-quality education. By fostering a nurturing and stimulating learning environment, the Foundation is breaking barriers and creating opportunities for the next generation. The Foundation has built the Pokhrama Foundation Academy, which serves as a beacon of hope, educating 325 children across five villages in Lakhisarai, Bihar. It has worked diligently to increase girls’ enrollment and offers continuing education programs to support high school dropouts aiming for university. Together, we can transform lives and uplift communities. Let’s make every contribution count!
EDISON, NJ (TIP): On November 13, 2024, the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) convened for its 2025 Election Cycle Meeting at Akbar Restaurant. The Election Commission, led by Chair Jayesh Patel and Co-Chairs Anand (Andy) Patel and Alok Kumar, finalized the selection of the 2025 Executive Team. The selection was confirmed by FIA’s Voting Board Members, with trustees Srujal Parikh, Jayesh Patel, Anand Patel, and Dipak Patel in attendance. Senior advisors Dr. H.R. Shah and Dr. Sudhir Parikh were also present.
Board Chairman Ankur Vaidya expressed his heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Avinash Gupta for his dedicated leadership through a challenging 2024 and acknowledged the 2024 Executive Team for their hard work and commitment. He extended a warm welcome to Saurin Parikh, Sreekanth Akkapalli, and the entire incoming 2025 team, reiterating the FIA Board’s commitment to empowering women, and millennials and building a diverse, representative leadership within the FIA, including the Executive Team.
– Immediate Past President: Dr. Avinash Gupta (Native: Jharkhand)
Saurin Parikh has been unanimously appointed as the 38th President of the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) for 2025. His selection reflects the FIA Board’s strong confidence in his commitment and dedication to this leading grassroots organization, which he has passionately and voluntarily served since 2008. Over the years, Saurin has contributed extensively to the FIA across nearly every committee, demonstrating a meticulous approach to both new and ongoing initiatives. His unwavering dedication has earned him the position of President of one of the oldest community nonprofit umbrella organizations in the USA. Expressing gratitude for the trust placed in him, Saurin emphasized his readiness to elevate FIA’s mission through enhanced community engagement, innovative programs, and initiatives that strengthen ties between the USA and India. A licensed Professional Engineer, Saurin serves as the Chief of Collection Systems Investigation (CSI) at the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYC DEP), a role he has held since March 2019. With over 25 years of notable achievements in his professional career, he brings a wealth of experience and recognized accomplishments to his leadership at FIA.
The FIA has also affirmed the appointment of Mr. Sreekanth Akkapalli, who will join FIA in 2025 as the Convenor and Reception Chair. This marks Sreekanth’s first position within FIA’s leadership, though he brings valuable experience from leadership roles in various community organizations. As an established and successful entrepreneur from the Telugu community, Sreekanth through his expertise and business acumen will collaborate with the FIA Board, President-Elect Saurin Parikh, and the 2025 Executive Team to drive FIA’s initiatives forward and higher. In a remote message, he expressed his dedication to fostering a welcoming environment for the Indian diaspora and enhancing community engagement in upcoming events. Past President Dr. Avinash Gupta shared his pride in FIA’s accomplishments and pledged his support to the new leadership in the concluding remarks.
(Based on a press release issued by Srujal Parikh)
TEANECK, NJ (TIP): Emmy-nominated filmmaker Tirlok Malik’s heartfelt film On Golden Years made a memorable impact at the Teaneck International Film Festival’s 19th annual celebration. Held on November 10, 2024, the screening drew a warm response from the audience, ending with resounding applause and a powerful message of love and resilience.
The film resonated deeply with viewers, who praised both its storytelling and its reflection of the immigrant experience. Sanjay Modi called it a “truly good story and well portrayed on the big screen,” adding he planned to see it again with his wife. Harry Shah remarked that it carried a “great message of love” and noted how it reflects “a reality which we immigrants have been living.” Pam and Lall Kawatra also expressed their appreciation, saying, “We loved the film; congratulations to Tirlok Malik!”
David Nachman, Esq., Managing Attorney at Nachman, Phulwani, Zimovcak (NPZ) Law Group, P.C. shared: “Thank you for giving us the opportunity to sponsor such an excellent film with such an important message at a critical time. The NPZ Law Group is pleased to support TIFF’s missions and messages. Congratulations to Tirlok Malik for providing attendees with exposure to a truly timeless film.”
Jeremy Lentz, Executive Director of the Teaneck International Film Festival, added, “It was an honor to present On Golden Years at the 19th Teaneck International Film Festival. The message of this film reminds us to love each day you are given and live each day you’ve got — leading with love and compassion. I hope this film will uplift and inspire others to be kind to each other and take care of one another.”
The screening concluded with a lively Q&A, where Malik expressed his gratitude, made everyone laugh in his trademark style, and left everyone with a final, uplifting message to love oneself and live every moment of life to the fullest. This sentiment, capturing the spirit of the film, left a lasting impression on attendees and reinforced the power of cinema to bring people together and inspire a love for life.
(Murtaza Ali Khan is an award-winning film critic who has served on the jury of the 69th and the 70th National Awards. He has been covering cinema, arts, and culture for the last decade and a half. He can be reached at murtaza.jmi@gmail.com)
NEW YORK CITY, NY (TIP): Diwali at Times Square 2024 may be over but the memory of it will last a lifetime for those who witnessed the festival in the heart of New York City on Saturday, October 19th, 2024.
“Our objective from the beginning has been to take India to mainstream America” “and today, I’m excited to share that thanks to the support of the mainstream media and more Corporate Sponsors aligning to support us this year, we are achieving that goal” said the Founder of Diwali at Times Square, Neeta Bhasin. She also emphasized the importance of instilling Indian American youth with a sense of pride for their heritage, while also fostering cross-cultural exchange.
Diwali at Times Square was honoured to welcome the Office of Faith-Based and Community Partnerships of NYC for the first time ever as a presenting partner alongside KIA who returned as a presenting sponsor of the festival and Procter & Gamble who joined the festival as a gold sponsor.
Children are seen painting clay Diyas and creating beautiful Rangoli art at specially created Kids Zone.
The festival showcased the “Colors of India and America” featuring performances of different states of India and highlighted performances of other ethnic communities like Indo-Caribbean, Africa and Mexico.
One of the biggest attractions in Diwali Bazaar was ‘Kids Zone,’ where children were painting Diyas (clay) and creating beautiful Rangoli art thanks to the support from Professor Alka Mujerki and students from the Manhattanville University in Purchase NY. There were also interactive Diwali book reading sessions with Priya Kumari from Eternal Tree Books. Additionally, there was food sampling from some of our sponsors as well as fashion with One Minute Saree and free henna before Karva Chauth (the fast Indian women keep for their husband’s long life) that attracted thousands of people to Diwali Bazaar.
The Diya (lamp) lighting ceremony on stage was synchronized with the countdown on the One Times Square tower and it was inaugurated by the Consul General of India, Binaya Srikanta Pradhan, Senator Chuck Schumer, NYC Mayor Eric Adams, Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar, NYPD Commissioner, NYC Commissioner of Immigration, NYC Commissioner of International Trade Affairs, Dilip Chauhan, Deputy Commissioner International Affairs, Justice Karen Gopee, along with our honorees and sponsors.
The Consul General of India, Binaya Srikanta Pradhan emphasized on the deeper meaning of the festival saying, “I have realized that Diwali at Times Square is more than just a festival – it is a celebration of our shared values, culture, togetherness, love, and diversity.”
Senator Chuck Schumer appreciated the contribution of South Asian community to NYC by saying “The more South Asians we have in NYC, the better NYC is” and I want to salute the fact that Diwali is now a school holiday.
NYC Mayor Eric Adams said “What better place to celebrate the festival of lights than in the crossroads of the world. I’m proud to be with our Hindu brother and sisters today for the annual Diwali at Times Square celebration as we push away the darkness and welcome the light all across our city.”
Chandrika Tandon, Grammy Award Nominee and Founder of the Krishnamurthy Tandon Foundation the recipient of the “Woman of the Year Award” expressed her gratitude and shared this honour with everyone in the audience.
Raja Rajamannar, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer, Mastercard was honoured with the “Man of the Year Award” and was humbled to accept the recognition which he shared with his wife Jyothi
House of Spices ‘This year, we are proud to debut our latest Diwali campaign at the event. We are confident this campaign will resonate deeply with every Indian student, helping them feel connected to home, even from thousands of miles away.
The program ended with the ‘Light Up Times Square Concert’ where national and international performers from musical industry rocked the stage. The energy of the performers and the attendees really brightened Times Square.
Grammy Award Nominee Chandrika Tandon and the Young People’s Chorus of New York City started the program with Ganesha (Removal of Obstacle God) Prayers.
Sparsh Shah, an American rapper, singer, songwriter and inspirational speaker who has a very rare disorder Osteogenesis Imperfecta also known as Brittle Bone Disorder rocked the stage with his performance.
Shannon K, a rising star from LA is a singer and songwriter mesmerized the audience with her performance.
Preeti and Pinky from India sang their famous songs of 90’s that are viral in social media. People are still dancing on those popular songs.
Sukhbir Singh, ‘Prince of Bhangra’ whose music varies from pure Punjabi to fusion, shook the entire stage with his the most energetic performance forced people to dance with him on every song specially ‘Oh Ho Ho Ho’
The finale performer Raghav made every age group to sing with him on his famous songs including ‘Ange Eyes’ that topped the charts across the world in late 90s.
Diwali at Times Square was celebrated in association with “Samman for All;” its mission is to facilitate people from the lower-economic strata to achieve their dreams by providing them with tools for sustainable living and empowerment, “Diwali celebration serves as a powerful symbol of unity, bridging cultural ties and fostering diversity.”
Sukhbir Singh, ‘Prince of Bhangra’ gave a thrilling performance.
Special Thanks to all our partners, Presenting Sponsors NYC Faith-Based and Community Partnership, Kia USA. Proctor and Gamble first time supporter. Northwell Health, State Bank of India, House of Spices-Laxmi, Dabur, Bru, Jennifer Furniture, Instarem, Caravela Resort, Tribeca Rooftop-360, Benares, Crest Hollow. Special thanks to our hosts, Shanelle Kaul, CBS News Network broadcaster, Jennifer Bisram, CBS News New York broadcaster, Anushka Arora, RJ from London and Rita Kakati Shah. Thanks to Sunita Sadhnani Founder of GLAMOROUS Event Planners & Productions and other partners. Without their support this festival will not be possible.
Diwali at Times Square will celebrate the 10th year anniversary in 2025. The plan for this milestone has already started and the festival will be full of surprises and excitement!
For information on how to be part of the 10th Anniversary, and sponsorship inquiries, please contact:
BRUHUD will honor Dr. Varun Jeph, Deputy Consul General of India in New York, for his outstanding service to the Indian diaspora across the 10 U.S. states under the jurisdiction of the Indian Consulate in New York.
NEW YORK (TIP): BRUHUD, one of the largest organizations for seniors in New York, is set to celebrate its 16th Annual Deepawali Gala on November 16th at the Ganesh Temple Auditorium in Queens, NY. This year’s event will honor Dr. Varun Jeph, Deputy Consul General of India in New York, for his outstanding service to the Indian diaspora across the 10 U.S. states under the jurisdiction of the Indian Consulate in New York.
Mohan Nannapaneni, founder of Team Aid—a prominent NGO dedicated to assisting with the repatriation of mortal remains from the U.S. to India, will be recognized.
Mohan Nannapaneni, founder of Team Aid—a prominent NGO dedicated to assisting with the repatriation of mortal remains from the U.S. to India—will also be recognized.
Prem Bhandari, a distinguished global advocate for the Indian diaspora and Chairman of Jaipur Foot USA will be the Chief Guest.
The evening’s Chief Guest will be Prem Bhandari, a distinguished global advocate for the Indian diaspora and Chairman of Jaipur Foot USA.
In a statement released by BRUHUD President Ajay Patel, he highlighted that the organization was founded in 2009 by his late father, Shashikant Patel, with a mission to support and improve the well-being of senior citizens. Shashi Kant Patel pioneered health fairs, seminars, and other initiatives for seniors, establishing a legacy of service and care.
Ajay Patel also announced that, in memory of his father, BRUHUD will sponsor a free Jaipur Foot camp in Gujarat in the last week of January, providing artificial limb fittings to those in need.
EDISON, NJ (TIP): Asian American Republican Coalition, popularly known as AARC, held a press conference on Friday, November 08, 2024 to congratulate President Donald J Trump on his historical, unprecedented and landslide victory by securing a strong mandate of American people to be the 47th President of the United State of America and to highlight the role which Asian American Republican Coalition popularly known as AARC has played to win these Elections by President Trump and Republicans.
AARC Founder and Chairman, Hemant Bhatt was excited and expressed his enthusiasm stating, “We are extremely pleased with this year’s election results” and congratulated President Trump and Republicans to win these elections which would provide a direction to our great nation America for robust economy, Legal Immigration, controlling inflation, less crimes, end of wars etc. AARC worked very hard to spread the message to vote for President Trump and Republicans. AARC promotes the Republican Party agenda and to work together for growth, as we are committed to making America a greater nation in the future.”
He further stated that AARC started in 2015 and formalized 2018, has been tirelessly working to educate, empower and engagement of Republican Party’s conservative values, freedom of speech and freedom of Religion and beliefs for social, economic and political awareness to Asian American communities nationwide.
In light of the recently concluded 2024 Election Results in which American voters heavily favored Republican party for the majority in the Senate, close to majority in the congress, overall, more popular votes for the party to gain 312 electoral votes with a strong mandate given to President Trump for the resounding, landslide and resilience victory in overcome with all the adversity to be the 47th President of American is a proof that voters agree with the message” Make America Great Again”.
AARC National President Sridhar Chillara highlighted the significant presence of the Asian American community in the United States, estimating around 25 million members, with approximately 15 million eligible voters. He emphasized that AARC’s supporters nationwide, especially in key swing states, have the potential to make a decisive impact in upcoming elections. Mr. Chillara noted that New Jersey, with a margin of less than 5% in the last elections, is showing signs of becoming a potential swing state with continuous engagement and efforts from AARC. He also outlined AARC’s plans to expand its presence into more states across the country and invited like-minded individuals to join hands with AARC. He encouraged everyone to visit https://aarcusa.org for more information and contact at aarcusaorg@gmail.com
Sanjiv Pandya, President, PR & Media and one of founding members concluded the press conference by stating that the Chairman Hemant Bhatt’s leadership, National President, Sridhar Chillara’s vision and AARC’s Team’s efforts are ensuring AARC’s impressive growth and its recognition as a leading force in Republican Party’s supporters.
FORDS, NJ (TIP): An evening of Sunday, November 10, 2024, was dedicated to benefit Shiv Gyan Moti Lal (SGML) Hospital, near Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh, India. More than 200 attended evening the at which $45,000 was raised to benefit rural and underserved population to prevent blindness in India where basic eye care needs are very challenging.
The mission of SGML is to be a center of excellence when it comes to eye-care services and focus on extending equitable and efficient eye care services to the underprivileged population of human society. All proceeds will go toward the benefit of the eye hospital with modern technology & equipment to help people in the sacrosanct land of Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh state.
Since the opening of the eye hospital in January 2023, more than 700 eye surgeries and more than 10,000 outpatient eye consultations have been provided at a reasonable cost or in some cases at a nominal or no cost to those who are unable to afford the eye care.
The evening included delicious appetizers & dinner, presentation by the President Dr. Tushar Patel, and recognitions of main sponsors and donors with a plaque.
Dr. Tushar Patel explained why the need of eye care in rural Madhya Pradesh and more than 250,000 individuals are completely blind and one million has partial blindness. There is a need of 50-60,000 eye surgeries per year but only 20, 000-30,000 surgeries can be handled by welfare, trust and public facilities in Ujjain District which leads to a gap of approximately 20,000-30,000 surgeries per year.
Nisha Parikh’s Nitya Rhythm Dance Academy dancers giving a performance.
The program started with Ganesh Vandana by talented dancer Katha Patel followed by the musical program by singing sensation of North America renowned singer Rushil along with Lipika with talented musicians with Music Director Brij Joshi’s live band.
A dance performance from Nisha Parikh’s Nitya Rhythm Dance Academy was applauded by the audience.
SGML Associate Trust members Dr. Sparshil Patel, Smita (Miki) Patel, Usha Patel, Jatin Patel, Chhaya Patel, Arpita Patel, Jigna Patel, and Dharmesh Patel along with Co-Founders of the trust Mr. Ramesh Patel of California, Dr. Supen Patel of South Carolina, Kamlesh Bhatt in Ujjain, India and silent force of our trusts in the USA Gita and Sadgun Amin of South Carolina were recognized for their dedicated & selfless service in rural India.
Dr. Sunil Parikh, Harry Shah and Dr. Rajesh Thaker were appointed as Board of Advisors in the NJ Associate Trust of SGML Eye Hospital USA.
The appreciative gathering.
Prominent media personality Sanjiv Pandya hosted the event marvelously to keep the audience engaged and provided motivational anchoring to attract donors to contribute to this noble cause.
The SGML Eye Hospital Associate Trust sincerely appreciated all the financial supporters and media supporters for their support in this humanitarian mission to prevent blindness in rural India.
NEW YORK (TIP): The Bihar Jharkhand Association of North America (BJANA) is excited to announce the celebration of Jharkhand Diwas 2024 on Thursday, November 14th, 2024, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Consulate General of India in New York (3 E 64th St, New York, NY 10065), according to the information provided to The Indian Panorama by the BJANA President, Sanjeev Singh.
Jharkhand Diwas commemorates the formation of Jharkhand as a separate state in India. This special occasion will celebrate the state’s rich cultural heritage and its contributions to India’s growth and development. The event will also highlight the achievements of the Jharkhand diaspora in the United States and the collective impact of the people of Jharkhand on the global stage.
The event will feature a vibrant cultural program, as well as art exhibitions showcasing Jharkhand’s handicrafts and handlooms. BJANA will also spotlight its ongoing community welfare initiatives, which include efforts in tribal empowerment, women’s rights, education, and healthcare access in Jharkhand. These initiatives demonstrate BJANA’s commitment to supporting the socio-economic development of the region.
About BJANA:
The Bihar Jharkhand Association of North America (BJANA) is a non-profit, cultural, and social organization dedicated to serving the community of individuals from the Indian states of Bihar and Jharkhand residing in North America. The association’s mission is to promote the cultural heritage, traditions, and values of these states while also fostering social, educational, and economic progress within the community. We invite all community members to join us in celebrating this important occasion and honoring the achievements of Jharkhand on both national and global platforms.
WARREN, NJ (TIP): The PAC Indian Americans for Trump that had been formed in 2016, 2020, and 2024 feels very gratified by the victory of President Donald J. Trump, not just because he will be American President on January 20, 2025, but because he will make America great again in spite of what happened to the country in last four years.
The Indian Americans for Trumps feels fulfilled after working to promote Trump candidacy in 2016, 2020, and 2024. We also feel that the need for his ambition for the USA and talent to achieve America’s greatness in the world will result in a better outcome in 2024 than it would have done by winning in 2020. We also believe that Trump will leave a far greater impression on America during the four years of 2025-2029 than the last four years. His place in history will be far brighter than for what he would have achieved during 2021-2025.
The Indian Americans for Trump 2024 has been an FEC political action committee that was open to all Americans, irrespective of their nationality, race, color, gender, or creed, etc., for supporting Donald J. Trump in his endeavor to make America great again by reelecting him to be the President of the USA. They encouraged all Americans to volunteer or become members of this all-volunteer organization. It will suspend its operations in next few days.While the Indian Americans for Trump 2024 will cease operations, having achieved its goal, it will occasionally reach out to President Trump with suggestions on the policy and actions pertaining to making America great again, as they did during his campaign for the presidency that started in 2022.
GLEN COVE, NY (TIP)- “The people sent a clear message that they are sick of the partisanship, they are sick of extremism. They want us to work together to solve tough problems like securing the border and reinstating the SALT deduction. I am grateful the voters in Nassau, Suffolk, and Queens are sending me back to Congress so I can continue to fight for bipartisan common sense solutions to help make people’s lives better.”
Dr. Samin Sharma, Chairman, Deepmahotsav spoke about the superiority of Indian Americans in every field in the US.
LONG ISLAND, NY (TIP): The 25th RANA Deepmahotsav was celebrated on Sunday, October 27, in grand style on Long Island, drawing distinguished guests from across the community. The event was honored by the presence of Dr. Varun Jeph, Deputy Consul General of India in New York, as the Chief Guest. Rajasthan’s former Director General of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Mr. B.L. Soni joined as a Special Guest.
A key highlight was world-renowned invasive cardiologist Dr. Samin Sharma, Chairman of the Diwali Gala, presenting a generous $100,000 donation check to RANA President Prem Bhandari, who also serves as Chairman of Jaipur Foot USA. Additionally, checks totaling $110,000 were given to Bhandari in support of Jaipur Foot and Apna Ghar by Chandra and KK Mehta ($60,000) and Rajeev Daga ($50,000). Furthermore, Chandra and KK Mehta pledged an impressive half a million dollars towards a charity project in Jodhpur, India.
RANA President Prem Bhandari spoke highly about the honorees and the RANA team.
Dr. Raj Bansal expressed his admiration for Prem Bhandari’s commitment to social causes and pledged an amount from $1 up to half a million dollars to assist in repatriating mortal remains to India. Bhandari recently joined the NGO Team Aid as Chief Advisor, focusing on support for families in returning loved ones’ remains from various parts of the world. Dr. Bansal, known for building a reading hall at SMS Medical College in Jaipur in memory of his late parents, has already contributed nearly half a million dollars to the institution.
Honors were also bestowed upon Dr. Rohit Dandiya and his wife, Bharti Dandiya, for their philanthropic work, which includes funding a sports complex at SMS Medical College with contributions nearing half a million dollars, along with a recent quarter-million-dollar pledge to a Jain organization in Jaipur. In the field of medicine, Dr. Mukul Arya was recognized, while young entrepreneurs Jugal Kishore Ladda and Akhil Jain were celebrated for their achievements.
Honoree Jugal Ladda
In his speech, Prem Bhandari announced a new initiative, Toys for Toddlers, aimed at bringing comfort to hospitalized children with uncertain futures.
Honoree Mukul Arya.
The celebration concluded with soul-stirring Rajasthani folk music, followed by a traditional Rajasthani dinner, capturing the spirit of Rajasthan’s vibrant culture and hospitality.
Honoree Bobby JainHonorees Dr. Rohit and Bharati Dandiya.Entertainers from Rajasthan.
NEW YORK CITY (TIP): This past Sunday, October 27, saw a major highlight of the 2024 NYC Indian classical music calendar as the Suromurchhana foundation for the Indian classical arts honored tabla torchbearer Padma Shri Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri with its first annual Pt. A. Kanan & Vidushi Malabika Kanan Award. With a full complement of NYC’s Hindustani musical luminaries and literati in the front row, the evening opened with a Hindustani-Carnatic vocal jugalbandi by Suromurchhana musicians Smt. Namaami Karmakar and Smt. Samyukta Ranganathan. They were ably accompanied on tabla by Sri Amit Chatterjee, harmonium by Sri Anirban Chaktraborty, and mridangam by Sri Kabilan Jeganathan.
Padma Shri Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri.
After the award ceremonies for the guest of honor, Pt. Chaudhuri ascended to the stage to join Suromurchhana founder, vocalist Pt. Sanjoy Banerjee – again with Sri Anirban Chakraborty on harmonium – for an engrossing odyssey through a set of evening ragas.
Padma Shri Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri and Suromurchhana founder, vocalist Pt. Sanjoy Banerjee.
On stage, after the concert, Pt. Chaudhuri expressed his great enjoyment of the music and the event overall. As the recipient of many major awards, he said that this award especially touches his heart because of his personal connection with the late Pt. A. Kanan who was an important source of support early in his career. The event was made possible in part, with funds from the New York State Council on the Arts.
Hindustani-Carnatic vocal jugalbandi by Suromurchhana musicians Smt. Namaami Karmakar and Smt. Samyukta Ranganathan. They were ably accompanied on tabla by Sri Amit Chatterjee, harmonium by Sri Anirban Chaktraborty, and mridangam by Sri Kabilan Jeganathan.
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.
Emmy-nominated filmmaker Tirlok Malik says, “The immigrant experience is often accompanied by dreams, struggles, and sacrifices, but the journey to the American Dream doesn’t end after reaching success. Retirement brings its own set of challenges, especially for immigrants trying to find where they belong.”
TEANECK, NJ (TIP): Emmy-nominated filmmaker Tirlok Malik’s celebrated film ‘On Golden Years,’ will be screened at the prestigious Teaneck International Film Festival 2024 on Sunday, November 10, at 11:30 AM at Teaneck Cinemas (503 Cedar Lane, Teaneck, NJ 07666).
‘On Golden Years’ is a major highlight in Malik’s career, known for exploring the immigrant experience in America through films such as ‘Lonely in America,’ ‘Khushiyaan,’ and ‘Love Lust and Marriage.’ During his illustrious career, Tirlok Malik has worked with industry stalwarts like Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Mammootty, Sunny Deol, and Kangana Ranaut, among others. Malik, along with the cast of ‘On Golden Years,’ will be present for a special Q&A session following the screening at the Teaneck Film Festival 2024.
On Golden Years poster
‘On Golden Years’ is an 85-minute romantic comedy-drama that delves into the complex emotions immigrants face when they reach the retirement phase of the American Dream. The film is set in Shantiniketan, the only Indian retirement community in the United States, located in Florida. Through its relatable characters and emotional storylines, the film explores themes of aging, identity, and reconciliation between regrets and contentment. It asks the poignant question: Where do we truly belong at the end of life’s journey?
The film stars Ranjit Chowdhry, the iconic actor known for his performances in ‘Lonely in America’ and ‘The Office,’ Jyoti Singh, Reeves Lehmann, Shetal Shah, Noor Naghmi, Prof. Indrajit S Saluja, and Tirlok Malik himself. The film also features several new talents making their debut, adding to the fresh yet familiar energy of the story.
The film is co-produced by Iggy Ignatius who is also the co-director of the film. The film has been shot at the Indian retirement community Shantiniketan in Florida founded by Iggy Other credits of the film are Director of Photography Christo Bakalov B.A.C., Music by Peter Lobo, Art Direction by Sunita Babber, Editing by Tom Knight and others.
‘On Golden Years’ also boasts the film debut of the Grammy Award-winning Indian-American singer Falu, who performs the item number song ‘Raba Raba.’ Falu had previously performed at prestigious venues like Carnegie Hall and The White House in the presence of President Barack Obama and Oprah Winfrey, alongside music legend A.R. Rahman. Falu’s ‘Abundance in Millets’ song featuring the Indian PM Narendra Modi was also recently nominated for Grammy.
The screening of ‘On Golden Years’ at the Teaneck International Film Festival is proudly sponsored by David Nachman, Esq., Managing Attorney at Nachman, Phulwani, Zimovcak (NPZ) Law Group, P.C., New Jersey, a law firm specializing in immigration services and law.
Written and directed by Tirlok Malik, ‘On Golden Years’ reflects his signature focus on the Indian-American immigrant experience. Malik, who is an Indian-American and a proud New Yorker, has made films that resonate with global audiences by addressing the challenges and rewards of living abroad. His films often highlight the conflict between holding onto one’s roots and embracing the new life and challenges that come with migration.
Malik says, “The immigrant experience is often accompanied by dreams, struggles, and sacrifices, but the journey to the American Dream doesn’t end after reaching success. Retirement brings its own set of challenges, especially for immigrants trying to find where they belong.”
The Teaneck International Film Festival, founded over 20 years ago with support from the nonprofit organization Puffin Foundation, Ltd., is renowned for its commitment to showcasing socially conscious films that inspire conversations on critical global and local issues.
Tickets for the Teaneck Film Festival screening of ‘On Golden Years’ are now on sale for $10 and can be purchased at TeaneckFilmFestival.org.
Don’t miss the chance to see this heartfelt, humorous, and thought-provoking film and engage in a discussion with Tirlok Malik and the star-studded cast after the screening.
NEW YORK CITY (TIP): If women’s unpaid work were assigned a monetary value, it would exceed 40 per cent of GDP in some countries. Globally, women and girls spend more than 2.5 times as many hours a day on unpaid care work than men. This disparity prevents women and girls from fully realizing their rights and opportunities, throughout their lives. Women and girls remain the default providers of poorly paid and unpaid care work everywhere, and the most marginalized women – those who live in poverty, migrant women, women in informal work, and women from minority groups – shoulder the largest share of unpaid care work. An estimated 80 per cent of paid domestic workers worldwide are women.
The world needs to confront the serious disconnect between what is essential for societies and economies to thrive, what is counted, and what is prioritized in budgets and policies. This is a fundamental human rights issue, and one of the biggest drivers of gender inequality and poverty.
When we invest in comprehensive care systems, we are investing in women, communities, societies and economies. This can simultaneously reduce women’s time and income poverty, enhance their labor market participation and increase the number of decent care jobs, potentially creating almost 300 million jobs by 2035.
Today, in the second time that the world commemorates the International Day of Care and Support, we celebrate efforts being made across the world, from Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Panama recently passing laws establishing National Care Systems, to Kenya using the data of its first national Time Use Survey to inform the development of its national care policy. We welcome the Philippines’ Caregivers Welfare Act that upholds the rights of caregivers; Spain’s approval of a strategy for a new model of long-term care in the community; and Canada’s work with provincial, territorial, and Indigenous partners to provide a high-quality, affordable, flexible, and inclusive early learning and childcare system, with new investments totaling up to $30 billion over five years.
Today, we call for bold actions that transform care systems. We rally behind the Human Rights Council’s call for the centrality of care and support from a human rights perspective and the Economic and Social Council’s emphasis on promoting care and support systems for social development. Engaging through multi-partner and multistakeholder platforms such as the Global Alliance of Care or the Generation Equality Action Coalitions we can support innovation, experience sharing and achieve greater impact.
As we approach the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, with its resounding recognition that equal is greater, let us all commit to action to transform care systems. Let us commit to the end of undervalued and gendered division of care work and instead build thriving, equitable and sustainable economies and societies for today and tomorrow.
Minority Leader DeRiggi-Whitton honored local business leaders at the 39th Nassau Council of Chamber of Commerce Businesspersons of the Year and Legislative Breakfast on Friday, Oct. 25. (Photos : Office of Minority Leader Delia DeRiggi-Whitton)
WOODBURY, N.Y. (TIP): Nassau County Legislature Minority Leader Delia DeRiggi-Whitton (D – Glen Cove) proudly attended the 39th Nassau Council of Chamber of Commerce Businesspersons of the Year and Legislative Breakfast on Friday, Oct. 25. As part of the festivities, she joined the Nassau Council of Chambers in congratulating Glen Cove Chamber of Commerce honoree Stella Shank, Executive Director of The Regency at Glen Cove Assisted Living; Roslyn Chamber of Commerce Vice President Barbara Kaplan, owner of Specialty Connections; and Port Washington honoree Corey Peterson, founder and president of Bayside Tax and Wealth, for being recognized by their respective Chambers of Commerce.
“Outstanding business leaders like Stella, Barbara and Corey go above and beyond on a daily basis to create opportunities and strengthen our communities, and their passion for service is an inspiration for others to follow their lead,” Minority Leader DeRiggi-Whitton said. “I salute you for all you do to make our downtowns so vibrant and dynamic, and I thank the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce for bringing us together to celebrate the best of Long Island.”
President of the Swiss Confederation, Her Excellency Viola Amherd, delivering the keynote address at the event.
NEW YORK, NY (TIP): Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations (UN), New York, in collaboration with Permanent Missions of Germany and Switzerland co-organized a high-level event titled Breaking Barriers: Visualizing Equal Opportunities for Women in Defense in New York on 25 October 2024. President of the Swiss Confederation, Her Excellency Viola Amherd, delivered the keynote address at the event. Minister of National Defense of Liberia and senior military officials from India, Germany and Nigeria took part in the panel discussion at the event. The initiative was part of the ongoing Women, Peace and Security Week in the UN.
The event marked the release of the seminal UN global report on Equal Opportunity for Women in the Defense Sector, an initiative of UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.
In his introductory remarks, Permanent Representative of India, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish highlighted the need for building inclusive security sectors, with equal representation of women. He also emphasized that patience and perseverance were key elements in our efforts to achieve this goal and that local social imperatives need to be factored in while reforming security sector institutions. Further, he underlined India’s active participation in the initial survey that fed into the seminal UN Global report.
Permanent Representative of India, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, in his introductory remarks, highlighted the need for building inclusive security sectors, with equal representation of women.
The panelists shared their experiences, strategies, and perspectives on advancing gender equality in the defense sector, including in the areas of recruitment, promotion, and retention during the panel discussion. Lt. Gen Sadhna Saxena Nair (Indian Army), highlighted various measures taken by Indian Armed Forces in this regard. As one of the senior most uniformed personnel in India, Lt. Gen Nair exemplifies the strides India has made in the area.
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NEW YORK (TIP): After successful shows in NYC in 2023, and productions in India earlier this year, Surati’s Ramaavan – A Musical returned this fall for 6 shows at the off-Broadway Cullum Theatre in New York City. Ramaavan – A Musical is an innovative dance and musical theater experience adapted from the celebrated ancient Indian epic the Ramayana, that has been loved and revered for centuries. The evolving musical has enthralled audiences of a variety of backgrounds and tastes. They have called Roy’s interpretation of the ancient epic bold, innovative and universal in appeal. The treatment crosses boundaries of race, bias and preconceived societal notions as well as of traditional genres of dance and music in retelling one of India’s greatest epics.
Governor of Punjab , Shri Gulab Chand Kataria ( 5th from the left) was at hand to congratulate Sukhjit Kaur (4th from the left) on her engagement. The engagement ceremony was blessed by Acharya Dr. Lokesh Muni Ji ( 3rd from the right).
FORDS, NJ (TIP): An evening of Sunday, November 10, 2024, was dedicated to benefit Shiv Gyan Moti Lal (SGML) Hospital, near Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh, India. More than 200 attended evening the at which $45,000 was raised to benefit rural and underserved population to prevent blindness in India where basic eye care needs are very challenging.
