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AMERICANNewsline
14 OCTOBER 24, 2025
AIA-NY’s 38th Iconic Deepavali Festival Makes
History on Long Island
BABYLON, NY
he Association of Indians in
America, New York (AIA-NY)
Tcelebrated its 38th iconic Dee-
pavali Festival at Overlook Beach
here, marking a milestone as the
first-ever festival of its kind on Long
Island. An estimated 5,000 people
enjoyed cultural performances, spir-
itual presentations, traditional Indi-
an food, and community celebration
throughout the day.
A spectacular live fireworks dis-
play lit up Long Island’s south shore,
creating unforgettable memories.
Amid fulsome compliments for
staging a grand show and maneu-
vering the annual event’s move from
South Street Seaport in Manhattan,
AIA-NY President Beena Kothari Town of Babylon Supervisor Rich Schaffer invited AIA-NY to hold the Deepavali Festival in his Town again next year.
said, “This event was a dream come
true... promoting culture, unity, and Sponsors, presenters, and VIP
community engagement.” guests were served a sumptuous vege-
Many lawmakers and dignitar- tarian meal before the fireworks show.
ies greeted the audience and con- About 25 stalls and 5 food ven-
gratulated AIA-NY and its Presi- dors were seen doing brisk business.
dent, Beena Kothari, for organizing Main sponsors of the celebra-
a colorful extravaganza. US Senate tion included Bolla Oil, Mount Sinai
Minority Leader Chuck Schum- Health System, New York Cancer
er sent a video-recorded message. and Blood Specialists, Cheap-o-Air,
Town of Babylon Supervisor Rich Northwell Health System, Amneal,
Schaffer, impressed by the teem- Navika Group, ICICI Bank, NEC-
ing crowds despite forecasts of bad AIA, and Ranju & Ravi Batra.
weather, announced that his Town Media partners included Zee
will also support the Deepavali Fes- Group, Sony, Parikh Worldwide Me-
tival next year. Pt S.N. Charka of East-West School of Dance with the cast of Ramayan dance drama choreo- dia, TV Asia, Radio Zindagi, Jus TV,
US Congressman Suhas Subra- graphed by him. Emmy-nominated filmmaker Tirlok Malik (2nd from left) played Bhishama. The South Asian Times, The Indian
manyam came all the way from Vir- Panorama, The Indian Eye, Hum
ginia to grace the event. New York Hindustani, South Asian Insider,
State Assemblywoman Jenifer Ra- roe, Upstate New York. A Cultural The community celebration ALotusInTheMud.com, The World
jkumar said that the Empire State’s Fashion Show by celebrity design- opened with the American and Indian Voice, and Bollywood Insider.
lead in making Diwali a public holiday er Prashant Goyal added a touch of national anthems amid a flag ceremony. Many past Presidents of AIA Na-
has been followed by other states, in- glamor in the evening. Later, Man- The carefully curated program- tional and AIA-NY were in attendance.
cluding California and Pennsylvania. preet Komal and Amit Sharma from ming had something for each age The organizers have thanked
Consul General of India in New Rang de Bollywood in San Francisco group. The first segment saw clas- the Town of Babylon, local partners,
York Amb. Binaya Srikanta Pradhan had the audience dance to their Gar- sical and folk-dance performances sponsors, and volunteers for their
was represented by Consul, Commu- ba beats. on stage by kids, young adults, and support in making this historic cele-
nity Affairs, Shri Tsewang Gyaltson. Four people were honored for adults. Rangoli and art competitions bration possible.
Highlights of the daylong pro- their achievements and contributions were keenly contested. Health & President Beena Kothari has
gram included Kirtan Concert by to community and society: Justice Wellness Zone had Yoga & Zumba expressed heartfelt gratitude to the
Bhakti Marga, founded by Parama- Karen Gopee, Dr Gurmohan Sya- in another enclosure. evening program’s emcee and cul-
hamsa Vishwananda, and Ramayan li, Dr Abhay Malhotra, and Sunita The event kicked off with an aus- ture ambassador, Neha Lohia, and to
Live Dance Drama choreographed Sadhnani. Ruma Devi, visiting from picious Ganesh Vandana and conclud- Gautam Chopra, Kulbhushan Shar-
by the renowned Pt S.N. Charka of India, and Kamal Sabri were also ed with Lakshmi Ji Aarti, symbolizing ma, and culture director Jyoti Gupta
East-West School of Dance in Mon- honored. light, prosperity, and togetherness. Continued on next page... >>
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