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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline MAY 10, 2024 | The Indian Eye 26

Federation of Indian Associations of Chicago celebrates

Holi, – Festival of Colors, with fervor and enthusiasm

NILABH DUBEY was the actual playing of colors, which
was done outside in the open. On the
Chicago, IL
way, as we moved from indoors to out-
he Federation of Indian As- doors, Vandana Jhingan, representing
sociations (FIA) Chicago, a the press and media in Chicagoland,
T501(c)(3) organization, hosted interviewed CG Somnath Ghosh and
a spectacular, vibrant, and colorful Founder Chairman Sunil Shah for
Holi celebration marked by a beau- the TV News segment. CG Somnath
tifully decorated stage and premises Ghosh spoke eloquently to the press
filled with music, dance, Thandai (a about how FIA is at the forefront of
special India drink), delicious food, bringing Indian culture to the USA.
and singing that depicted glorious The surprises did not end here.
Indian culture at the Mall of India, Anu Malhotra (Executive Vice Pres-
Naperville, Illinois, on Sunday, April ident) prepared Thandai (a special
21, 2024. milk and dry fruit-based drink) for all
The grand event kicked off with the folks who joined the Holi. Dinesh
an ensemble by Maharashtra Mandal Kapoor, Anu Khetarpal, Smitesh
called ‘Dhol Tasha’. This rhythm got Shah, and Hemendra Shah ensured
the entire crowd, including the mall everyone got the Indian snacks and
visitors, to join in the fun and dance a special Holi T-shirt before the folks
together. The mayor of Naperville, and the contributions of the Indian special Holi songs. We had great per- went out to play Holi. The impecca-
Scott Wehrli, joined in the traditional diaspora in building Naperville into a formances from many dance schools: ble stage and the outside set-up were
dance and learned a few steps. This great city. Prerna, Kabita, Trusha (Pika Munshi), done by Neelam Jai. Suresh Bodiwala
was followed by the emcees Nilabh CG Somnath Ghosh spoke about Bollywood Beatz (Anita Rotiwar), from Asian Media ensured each mem-
Dubey (Secretary-General) and San- how the Indian dispora brings vi- and Suhani Dance Academy (Falguni ory was well captured on his camera.
skriti Sharma taking over the pro- brancy and economic development Rana). The surprise was an amazing The color play of Holi kicked
gram by inviting FIA Chairman and to wherever they live. He also spoke dance performance by our very own off with Sunil Shah, Pratibha Jairath,
Founder, Sunil Shah, President Prat- about the world’s great democra- FIA directors, Falguni Rana, Dolly Vinita Gulabani, and Sudhir Agraw-
ibha Jairath, and Past President Vin- cy, starting the election for the new Bansal, Sonika Khandelwal, Sanskriti al blasting the colors 25 feet up in the
ita Gulabani on the stage. Chairman government, where 1.4 billion peo- Sharma, and Falguni Sukhadia. This air. DJ and the Dhol team revved up
and Founder Sunil Shah welcomed on ple will decide their representatives. was followed by amazing Garbha sing- the spirits with their music, and thanks
the stage the Chief Guest for the day, The transition of applying colors to ing by Jigna Pathak and Jitendra Bul- to Pratibha Jairath for sponsoring the
Consulate General of India, Somnath the forehead was done by Chairman sara. All the dignitaries could not re- colors, which were free for all the 600
Ghosh. This was followed by welcom- Sunil Shah and Pratibha Jairath to all sist themselves from joining the dance people who joined the sweet celebra-
ing the Mayor of Naperville, Scott the dignitaries. Specially made Holi when the Garbha team sang ‘Dholida tions. It was such a colorful moment;
Wehrli, State Representative Mi- T-shirts were gifted to all the dignitar- Pankhida’ hit songs and hundreds of amidst the chaos of colors, there were
chelle Mussman, Mayor of Oakbrook, ies. Thanks to our sponsors, Ghoman people from the audience jumped countless moments of joy and cama-
Larry Herman, and the Alderwoman Group (Mariott) and Naresh Shah in. The culturals were brought to an raderie. FIA thanks and truly appreci-
of Aurora, Shweta Baid. On the stage, (Rely Care Services). end by another surprise, when Richa ates all its attendees, esteemed guests,
the dignitaries were joined by Advi- This was followed by the cultur- Chand and Nilabh Dubey called on sponsors, supporters, and media part-
sory Board members Pinky Thakkar, al program. The mic was handed to stage Chairman Sunil Shah and Ex- ners for their unwavering support and
Sushma Bhanot, and Dr. Bhupinder Richa Chand, the emcee for the en- ecutive Director Rita Shah to sing a trust in FIA. The question remained
Beri. Scott Wehrli spoke about why tertainment segment. Culturals were foot-tapping duet. The dancing con- in everyone’s mind: ‘What next from
Naperville gets constantly ranked as kicked off by Jitendra Bulasara and tinued with greater fervor and full josh. FIA, Chicago!!’
the number one city to live in the USA Shaila Khedkar, signing patriotic and The last segment of the program Photographs by: Asian Media USA

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