Page 28 - The Indian EYE 041522

NORTH AMERICAN Newsline APRIL 15, 2022 | The Indian Eye 28

GOPIO New york & SIAEA With the Consulate

General of India In New york Celebrate Culture of

India at Virtual Holi Festival

OUR BUREAU
New York, NY
oli is the national festival of
colors, celebrated across In-
Hdia in different forms and
traditions. The celebration of this
colorful festival brings people of dif-
ferent faiths with diverse socio-polit-
ical ideologies closer. This message
of unity in diversity was shared by the
Chief Guest, India’s Consul General
in New York, Randhirkumar Jaiswal
during the annual Holi celebrations
organized by GOPIO New York
Chapter in collaboration with the
Society of Indo-American Engineers
Architects (SIAEA) in collaboration
with the Consulate General of India
In New York on Sunday, March 20th,
2022.
In his eloquent address to the
Diaspora community, Ambassador
Jaiswal greeted the participants from
around the world on the occasion of
Holi Festival, who had joined from all
major continents on Earth, as hun-
dreds of Indian Diaspora members
came together virtually to celebrate
the Festival of Holi. While describing
the historical and symbolic traditions
of the festival of Holi, the veteran
diplomat said, “Holi is a very beau-
tiful festival of color. A festival that
helps us welcome spring. Holi has
several connotations, social, religious,
political, and rhythmic with nature.
Holi is about togetherness, unity and at the US Congress and the interests as shared with the audience how he Origin, showcased the rich, colorful,
oneness, and holding hands together, of India.” Recalling his childhood has made it a point to bring Holi and and vibrant traditions of India, bring-
celebrating the goodness and kind- as a first generation Irish American, other Indian festivals to the New ing them at the doorsteps of every
ness of humanity,” he said. He urged he was taught to remember the 3 Is, York State Chambers, distributing household, as the audience from
the participants to take a moment out Ireland, Italy, and Israel, and now, Samosas and sweets to the members around the world were entertained
to pray for peace. “There are for Is: Ireland, Italy, Israel of the elected officials in Albany. He with mesmerizing music, scintillating
Congressman Tom Suozzi of and India.” invited GOPIO to join him and oth- dance performances, and inspiring
Long Island, NY greeted the com- In her message, NY Senator Ana er elected officials in Albany to cele- speeches.
munity with “Holi Mubarak” to all. Kaplan, greeted the Indian commu- brate Holi in person, after having to Lal Motwani, Chairman of GO-
Describing Holi as an exciting time nity in New York a very Happy Holi. celebrate Holi virtually in the past 2 PIO New York and Executive Trustee
for all, a great friend of India and the She praised the contributions and years due to Covid. “We hope, this is of GOPIO International, and for-
Indian American community, Rep. achievements of the Indian Ameri- the last of all virtual celebrations,” he mer president of the SIAEA, in his
Suozzi said, “It’s great to be with you can community. She recalled how in said, and hoped that “From now on, address, greeted Honorable India’s
all to celebrate the festival of Holi, her own tradition; her community we can celebrate the festivities in per- Consul General of New York, Rand-
which reminds us of all that Spring is celebrates the arrival of the Spring. son, meeting one another, joining our hirKumar Jaiswal and officials, mem-
in the air as the flowers start bloom- “New York is a melting pot that hands together,” he said. bers and the leaders of GOPIO from
ing and we await new life and happi- brings people of all faiths and of all The colorful Holi celebrations around the world who have joined
ness. Thank you for your continued backgrounds,” she said, and wished, depicting the rich cultural heritage virtually to celebrate the colorful fes-
support, and I will do everything in May all of us experience peace, over- of India, organized by the GOPIO tival of Holi.
my power to represent the Indian coming all hurdles on the way.” New York, the first Chapter of Glob- “The vibrancy of colors is some-
American community in Long Island New York Senator Kevin Thom- al Organization of People of Indian Continued at next page... >>

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