Our Bureau
New York, NY
Times Square came alive with color, music, dance, and the vibrant beauty of the saree as Saree Goes Global USA returned to Father Duffy Square for its third consecutive year.
Organized by Uma Global in partnership with the Consulate General of India in New York, the annual celebration brought together women, families, performers, community leaders, and visitors from across the United States and beyond, transforming one of the world’s most iconic public spaces into a celebration of heritage, artistry, cultural connection, and women’s empowerment.
Uma Global extends its foremost gratitude to Ambassador Binaya Srikanta Pradhan, Consul General of India in New York, for his continued encouragement and support of Saree Goes Global, and to the Consulate General of India team for its partnership in bringing the celebration to Times Square for a third year.
Rajlakshmi Appasaheb Kadam, Consul (Trade) at the Consulate General of India in New York, provided remarks reflecting on the heritage and craftsmanship embodied by the saree: “The saree is a living legacy of our art, traditions, and hard-working weavers.”
The program also featured special messages and remarks from distinguished public officials. New York Governor Kathy Hochul sent greetings marking the third annual Saree Goes Global celebration and recognized the leadership of the team in bringing communities together through cultural exchange.
Dilip Chauhan, Deputy Chief Business Diversity Officer at the New York City Mayor’s Office, celebrated New York City as a city of opportunity and inclusiveness, while referencing Mayor Zohran Mamdani, the city’s first South Asian Mayor, and his vision of making opportunity accessible to New Yorkers regardless of background or culture. Chauhan also highlighted the important role diverse communities play in strengthening the city’s economy and congratulated the Saree Goes Global team on its continued success.
In remarks delivered on her behalf, Ragini Srivastava, elected Town Clerk for the Town of North Hempstead in Nassau County, New York, emphasized the importance of passing cultural heritage to younger generations. “When our daughters drape themselves in these beautiful six yards of gorgeous fabric, they are not merely wearing a garment, they are wrapping themselves in thousands of years of grandeur and history,” she said, underscoring the role of younger generations in carrying this heritage forward.
Three inspiring women were honored during this year’s celebration. Yoshita Singh, an award-winning senior multimedia journalist and Chief UN and New York Correspondent for Press Trust of India, was recognized for her distinguished career covering international affairs, India-US relations, trade, culture, and the United Nations. Shaila Rizvi, interior designer and Creative Director of Bungalow, the acclaimed New York restaurant from Michelin-starred chef Vikas Khanna and restaurateur Jimmy Rizvi, was honored for her creative achievements, including her role in shaping Bungalow’s distinctive design and visual identity. Mysha Rizvi, Guest Relations Manager and a beloved member of the Bungalow team, was recognized for the warmth and hospitality she brings to the celebrated restaurant.
The celebration was led by the Saree Goes Global USA Host Committee: Garima Agrawal, Mitali Chattopadhyay, Rita Kakati-Shah, and Jayeeta Mukherjee, whose collective efforts helped bring the third annual Times Square event to life.
“Seeing Times Square filled with women and girls proudly showcasing the extraordinary diversity of India’s weaves was incredibly special,” said Dr. Rita Kakati-Shah, President of Uma Global and Host Committee member. “It was also wonderful to see the men proudly joining us in their dhotis, and people from so many different backgrounds stopping, watching, dancing, and celebrating with us. Saree Goes Global is about much more than what we wear. It is about confidence, heritage, connection, and bringing people together across cultures.”
That spirit was echoed by the other members of the Host Committee. Jayeeta Mukherjee said, “Our mission is to preserve this heritage, champion true craftsmanship, and take the story of the saree from our communities to the global stage.” Dr. Mitali Chattopadhyay described the saree as “a living symbol of Indian heritage, carrying centuries of stories, craftsmanship, and identity across borders.” Dr. Garima Agrawal added, “Every weave tells a story. Bringing the incredible diversity and craftsmanship of India’s sarees onto a global stage in Times Square was truly special.”
The cultural program reflected that spirit throughout the day. Host Committee members opened the performances with a traditional welcome shloka, followed by energetic performances from Dance X Studio, led by celebrity choreographer Jayshree Srikanth and featuring Aniiya Darden, Apurva Kothari, and Sonal Bhandagi. Live music came from Trintaal 2.0, with vocalist Subhabrata Das and guitarist Dane Dinanath, alongside Aziz Mehboob Nuren on flute and Mohammed Mobaraq Hossain on dhol.
One of the day’s highlights was an exuberant flash dance that took over Times Square, led by Dance X Studio dancers and joined by Saree Goes Global participants and members of the public, turning the square into a spontaneous celebration of music, movement, and community.
The signature Ramp Walk, led by Host Committee member Dr. Garima Agrawal, showcased the remarkable diversity of sarees and traditional weaves from across India. Women and girls took to the Times Square ramp in an array of regional textiles, drapes, colors, and styles, celebrating both the timeless elegance of the saree and the generations of weavers and artisans whose craftsmanship sustains these traditions. Young participants also helped showcase the heritage, artistry, and textile traditions of different regions of India, bringing an intergenerational dimension to the celebration.
The celebration also brought together generations and genders through a series of fun competitions, with participants ranging in age from 10 to 90 years old. Host Committee members Dr. Mitali Chattopadhyay and Dr. Garima Agrawal joined the judging panel, while Jayeeta Mukherjee combined judging duties with serving as compere for the competitions and leading a spirited lucky draw, adding to the fun and audience participation throughout the day.
Rounding out the festivities, the much-loved Saree Walkathon saw live music accompanying participants around Father Duffy Square as women, families, and supporters came together in a joyful display of heritage, cultural pride, and unity.
Dr. Dipti Jain, founder of the Saree Goes Global initiative in the UK, reflected on the movement’s continued international growth: “Sarees create a vibrant platform to celebrate our shared heritage and support projects that consistently foster a deep sense of belonging.”
Heartfelt appreciation was expressed to the performers, media partners, sponsors, prize partners, volunteers, photographers, supporters, Times Square Alliance, and New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, whose collective generosity, time, and efforts helped make the third annual celebration possible.
Now in its third year in Times Square, Saree Goes Global continues to demonstrate how a traditional garment can become a powerful global symbol of heritage, artistry, unity, confidence, and women’s empowerment, while paying tribute to the weavers and artisans whose skills keep India’s extraordinary textile traditions alive.
About Uma Global
Uma Global is a New York-based philanthropic organization committed to empowering youth and women through education, leadership development, and cross-cultural initiatives. With programs spanning multiple countries, Uma Global fosters confidence, collaboration, and global understanding among emerging leaders and changemakers.