Our Bureau
New York
With the Support of the Brooklyn Borough President’s office, Milan Cultural Association Inc & Navatman, Inc organized a spectacular event, celebrating the 75th year of India Independence Day – AMRUT MAHATSOV.
The event was filled with elected officials, community leaders, VIP’s artists and general audiences including attendees who were attracted by colorful and musical performances of rich cultural exhibitions of Indian Tradition.
Mr. Dilip Chauhan, Executive Director of South Asian Affairs of the Brooklyn Borough President’s Office flagged off the start of the program. Hosts of the event Dr. Sheetal Desai President of NY Chapter of Milan Cultural Association & Mr. Sridhar Shanmugam, President. Navatman Inc welcomed the gathering.
The event opened with the drum beat of Indian folk “Thapu Drum” the vibrant drum beats attracted the audiences and the gathering started swelling.
The Traditional Lamp Lighting was done by The Brooklyn Borough President Mr. Eric Adams, Ms. Ingrid Lewis Martin Deputy Borough President, Mr Dilip Chauhan Executive Director of Asian Affairs Senator Andrew Gounardes and other dignitaries Ashok Vora, Hiren Chauhan, Virendra Patel, Mayank Dwivedi, Dr Sheetal Desai. Mrs. Rupa Sridhar Ji tied sacred thread of Rakhi with special prayers for good wishes and significance of which was explained by Dr Sheetal Desai to strengthen the bond of relationships.
Dr Ingrid Lewis Martin, Deputy Borough President commended the host organizations Milan & Navatman and parents of this young generation to encourage them to maintain the roots of this deep Indian culture in the efforts of maintaining the culture and heritage in the land of opportunities. She was joined with her son and daughter in law in traditional Indian attire.
The Brooklyn Borough President stated that he is very happy to be here to celebrate the 75th Independence Day of the rich Indian community mentioned the celebrating the Independence of the largest Democracy by the oldest democracy is commendable which highlights the universal understanding and cherished relationship. He acknowledged the contribution of Indians to the city and the global contribution and said that our hearts are with the entire Indian Diaspora on the lives of families that have been impacted and together we continue to come together on issues together in the trying times of Covid Crisis as well.
Brooklyn Borough President Mr Eric Adams, along with the Deputy Borough President gave away citation’s awards to community Leaders & Community achievers. The recipients of the awards were: Mr. H R Shah – Chairman TV Asian, Mr. Virendra Patel, President Santi Niketan Inc, Mr. Suresh Sharma, Founder Chairman Milan Cultural Association, Mr. Vishnu Sridhar – STEM Scientist JPL – NASA, Mr. Mayank Dwivedi, Mr. Hiren Kumar, Empire State Titans Mr Ashok Vora, Community leader, Navatman, Inc & Dr Sheetal Desai, President NY Chapter of MILAN cultural association also a frontline worker.
The award ceremony was followed by performances highlighting the rich cultural heritage of India. Ms. Sam Yuktha Ranganathan Director, Navatman Inc sang the mesmerizing Vaned Mat haram along with the students of Navatman Ms. Sara Wood and Ms. Maya Mukherji. Ms Lekha Wood & Ms Arushi Mukherji performed a brilliant Tillana piece from the Bharatanatyam repertoire. Later Malika Mehta & Angel Shah performed a scintillating dance from the Bollywood fame choreographed by Mrs Shilpa Mithaiwala and joined by their Mom Jigna Mehta & Poonam Shah to cheer them on.
The program was attended by community leaders and was covered live by TV Asia, Mr Sunil Hali from Radio Zindagi, Rashmi Bedi My Dream Entertainment, Janak & Surya Bedi from My Dream TV, Mr Raj Dhingra Indian Republic News, Hum Hindustani, Mrs. Jyoti Gupta, Mr Sameer Shah, Mr Trilok Malik Mr Bipin Shah, Mr Devendra Vora and Yoomesh Sharma. and Reshma Maghnani.
The Program concluded with a Vote of Thanks by Dr Sheetal Desai and the beats of drum brought all the community leaders and audience to dance and the entire program concluded with a high-note of a bright future with togetherness, love and care.
