Thursday, December 19, 2024

Times Square sees Diwali celebration by Association of Indians in America

Deepavali 2022 began with a diya-lighting ceremony on Sunday, October 23, evening at Times Square, (43rd Street & Broadway) outside Nasdaq stock exchange, NYC

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A colorful Diwali was celebrated at New York’s Times Square by the Association of Indians in America-NY, jointly with Jaipur Foot USA. The celebrations included emblazoning the NASDAQ tower for 5 days with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Diwali greeting as the main attraction, a press release from AIA said.

Deepavali 2022 began with a diya-lighting ceremony on Sunday, October 23, evening at Times Square, (43rd Street & Broadway) outside Nasdaq stock exchange, NYC.

The lamp-lighting ceremony was conducted by Harish Thakkar, president of the AIA NY chapter, accompanied by chief guest Dr. Samin Sharma, a noted interventional cardiologist at Mt. Sinai Hospital, Prem Bhandari, Chairman of Jaipur Foot USA, and India’s Deputy Consul General in New York Dr Varun Jeph. Others who participated in the lamp-lighting were, Corporate Vice President at New York Life Insurance Company Srinivas Ranga, and New York State Senator John Liu.

A poster with Deepavali greetings from the leaders was also displayed at Times Square.

“We are sharing the message of Diwali – Knowledge over Ignorance, Peace, Love, Unity, and Togetherness and Inclusion in Diversity to the world from the biggest crossroads of the world, Times Square. Even the universe responded in appreciation by keeping the weather conducive to the event despite forecasts of rain throughout the day,” Thakkar said.

The lamp-lighting ceremony was conducted by Harish Thakkar, president of the AIA NY chapter, accompanied by chief guest Dr. Samin Sharma, a noted interventional cardiologist at Mt. Sinai Hospital, Prem Bhandari, Chairman of Jaipur Foot USA, and India’s Deputy Consul General in New York Dr Varun Jeph. Others who participated in the lamp-lighting were, Corporate Vice President at New York Life Insurance Company Srinivas Ranga, and New York State Senator John Liu

Bhandari thanked India’s Prime Minister for sending Diwali  greetings to the diaspora.

Liu said Diwali is the celebration of light and so, coming at a time of darkness, when there seem to be many stories of bereavement, sickness and financial hardship all caused by a virus, there was a need to ensure that the inner light stays ignited. Liu noted he has attended many AIA Diwali festivals at South Street Seaport.

Jeph extended wishes and noted to everyone and said Diwali symbolized the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness, with the central message of openness, peace and mutual respect.

Thakkar thanked the all the media, including ITV Gold, Desi Talk, News India Times, Parikh Worldwide Media, which bring out News India Times, as well as TV Asia, Jus Punjabi, and a number of other Indian-American news outlets.

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Roma Ghosh
Roma Ghosh
Roma Ghosh has recently retired as Associate Professor for Media Studies from an international university. She was with the Times of India as a correspondent for many years. Her passion is cooking and she has been doing recipes and photo shoots for Women's Era for the last 15-odd years.

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