Our Bureau
New York, NY
On December 12th, a historic event took place with the inauguration of the New York State Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Commission. Thirteen Asian Americans were sworn in, pledging to strengthen the connection between the Asian American community and New York State. The ceremony was graciously hosted by Queens College and its President, Frank H Wu.
Neeta Bhasin, the founder of Diwali at Times Square and Sammaan for All, has been appointed to the New York State Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Commission. The Commission aims to enhance the economic and social well-being of AAPI communities and address their health and educational needs.
The Commission’s role includes making policy recommendations, coordinating programs, implementing public education campaigns, and raising awareness about state and local resources for AAPI individuals.
This Commission was established due to the unprecedented growth of the Asian American population and the unique challenges they face, including increased hate crimes.
NYS Assemblywoman, Jenifer Rajkumar, the first Indian American legislator, introduced the AAPI Commission Bill, that was passed unanimously by the legislators in the Capitol.
On February 7th, 2024, NYS Governor Kathy Hochul signed the bill and joined more than 12 states with similar commissions and the White House.
New York State Governor Kathleen Hochul, who could not join in person, shared her message. “Welcome to the first-ever meeting of the NYS Asian American and Pacific Islanders Commission. We established this Commission because your voices are essential to our state’s future, and we are always looking to gain a deeper understanding of one another. We invested $35 million to protect Asian American New Yorkers from Hate Crime and set $30 Million to local AAPI organizations to serve their communities”.
NY State Senator Jeremy Cooney, raised in the orphanage home in Calcutta, India, said, “The Asian Americans’ voice is growing, but it needs to be heard. We have to let our communities know that we are listening, that we care, and that there are great challenges and opportunities for New Yorkers coming to this country from all parts of this world.”
Chair of AAPI, Gaurav Vasisht, addressed the attendees, “AAPI community in NY is over 2 million with diverse culture, traditions, and language but what lies behind that diversity is lived experience, of sacrifice, perseverance and aspiration story about our own family. I encourage all of you to actively participate in the public forums that will be held statewide and submit comments and ideas to stay informed on the commission’s work and progress”.
Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar, behind the NYC Diwali School Holiday and AAPI bill, said, “In late 1800, the US Congress passed the Chinese Exclusion Act. Chinese individuals cannot be citizens of this country. In 1921, the US Supreme Court ruled that Indians could not be US citizens. And now look at us, we are thriving in all fields, we have come a long way. It is just a beginning. Our Commission members will bring excellence to our government. They will make impossible possible. I believe that Neeta Bhasin who single handedly organizes Diwali at Times Square made Diwali Global Phenomena. Her experience and dedication to promoting cultural understanding and diversity will be invaluable assets to the Commission’s work.
Neeta Bhasin addressed the public and shared her believes in having a peaceful society where everyone values and respects the cultural differences of diverse cultures.
Neeta Bhasin said that “Educating others from a grassroots level is essential, which means educating children from an early age. If we teach them to value and respect a diverse society, this educational process will allow them to respect children of different cultures and traditions in schools”.
The host committee of the public hearing was the NY State Department of the State.
Shawn Ma, Director, and Sibu Nair, Deputy Director of Asian American Affairs, represented the NY State Governor’s office alongside their team members.
Attendees included NYS Assemblywoman Grace Lee, Supreme Court Judges Karen Gopee, and Karen Lin, and Community leader.
The Chair of the Asian American and Pacific Islander is Gaurav Vasisht. The members of the commissions are: Tai Ngo Shaw, Neeta Bhasin, Maf Misbah Uddin, Joyce Wu, Marjorie Hsu, Faustina Sein, Andrew Sta Ana, Peter Tu, Ambrosia Kaui, Tim Law, Kyung Yoon, Jeffrey Gu, Frank Wu.
Neeta Bhasin graduated in Accounting and Economics from the Queens College, NY but started her career as a Live Talk Host on the first South Asian TV Network and in 1997 founded the first South Asian advertising and marketing company in the USA called ASB Communications.
Neeta came to NY with her parents 47 years ago. She always wanted to showcase the vibrant South Asian Culture, Art, Heritage, and Diversity to mainstream America and invoke a sense of pride among the newer generations of the South Asian community.
She started Event Guru Worldwide, the company that created history in 2013 by conceptualizing and producing, Diwali at Times Square.
Neeta received numerous accolades for her work. She was one of the honorees for “50 Outstanding Asian Americans in Business” in 2008. She was awarded the Mahatma Gandhi Samman (Honor) in the House of Lords in London in Sept 2015 and has been awarded the India Republic Day Award in the Town of Hempstead in Nassau County in New York for her dedication and commitment towards the community. She was the proud recipient of the IAA WOMEN ACHIEVERS AWARDS from Shabana Azmi in 2017 and, in 2018, she received the South Asian Empowerment Award from Miss World 2017 Manushi Chhillar, and in 2023, she was awarded the ‘Shakti Award ‘(woman empowerment award).
