Our Bureau
Long Island, NY
People of New York enjoyed the Long Island’s 5th Vaisakhi Mela which was held in Nassau Community College on Sunday, May 18th, 2025. Despite windy weather, approximately 18,000 people were there to have a fun filled day.
A group of 5 friends, Onkar Singh, Rajeev Maini, Deepak Bansal, Jay Sharma and Jay Singh under the banner of Long Island Punjabi Circle along with a very dedicated team of around 50 members have been doing Vaisakhi Mela since 2019, which is scheduled every year on 3rd Sunday of May.
The Mela started with Sikh Ardas by Head Granthi of Guru Nanak Darbar Giani Kuldeep Singh ji followed by Gurbani Kirtan by Yoomesh Sharma. Daler Singh ji’s team performed Gatka & Bhangra, and Gidha by Soormas & Mutiyaras.
Bollywood and Punjabi Singer Dr. Jaspinder Narula along with Shipra Goyal and R. Nait rocked the stage, with their best numbers which didn’t let people to sit on their seats continuously for three hours.
County Executive Bruce Blakeman, NYS Senator Steve Rhoads, Legislator Rosemary Walker, North Hempstead Town Clerk Ragini Srivastava, Human Rights Commission Chairman Bobby Kalotee, Vice Chair Wioleta Dusza, Asian Affairs Chairman Akram Chaudhary, Vice Chairman Deepak Bansal, Executive Director Own Naqvi, Harry Malhotra from Supervisor Joe Saladino were there to honor the team with their presence and thanking the community. United States Senator Chuck Schumer sent citations with Tandeep Kaur for team and celebrity performers.
There were 55 vendors selling clothing, jewelry, sweets and lots of vendors were even showcasing their services and products. Laxmi was giving away Rice sample Bags, Hats in a nice shopping bag. The food vendors were selling Desi food, like Chana Bhatura, Samosa Chaat, Falooda Kulfi, Biryani, Yaas Bubble Tea and lot more was on offer.
Kids section was sponsored by Patel Brothers. Children were having blast with the games, rides, cotton candy, mango drinks and Ice Cream.
First prize for the raffle was a KIA car which was won by Usha Tandon and scores of other prizes delighted lots of people who bought the raffle tickets for $10 each.
United Mortgage was Grand Sponsor with Richard Hernandez and Jyoti Sharma leading the team. Gold sponsors were STI Consultants, Kunal Jewelers, Patel Brothers, Laxmi and Jennifer Furniture.
Sherry Dutta and Satbir Bedi were the jewels of stage, MCs who thanked all the sponsors, team and community for a wonderful celebration and invited all for even grandeur event, next year.
