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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline NOVEMBER 10, 2023 | The Indian Eye 22

Indo-American Festivals, Inc. celebrates

25th Dusshera Festival in a spectacular way

OUR BUREAU
Edison, NJ

ndo-American Festivals, Inc.
(IAF), a New Jersey-based
Inon-profit organization, marked
its 25th Dusshera Festival, a celebra-
tion of cultural richness and the vic-
tory of good over evil, on Saturday,
October 21, 2023. The event, held at
Lake Papaianni Park in Edison, NJ,
witnessed a grand turnout, with over
10,000 enthusiastic attendees.
This year’s milestone event
showcased a plethora of attractions
and cultural festivities. The high-
lights included a captivating two-
and-a-half hour performance of the
Ramleela, the traditional burning of
a towering 20-foot effigy of Ravan,
and a new addition that captured the
hearts of all: a 15-foot fiber statue of
Lord Hanuman Ji. This statue not
only drew in crowds but also provid-
ed a spiritual space for attendees to
offer prayers and seek blessings from
Sankat Mochan Hanuman Ji.
The festival kicked off with the
presence of esteemed dignitaries, in-
cluding Mr Sameer Joshi, the May-
or of Edison Township, Councilman
Ajay Patil, and Community Leader
Hitesh Bhatt, among others.
Throughout the 8-hour cele-
bration, the event offered a diverse
range of attractions. There were
over 80 stalls featuring various ven-
dors, offering items such as clothing,
jewellery, henna, face painting, edu-
cational resources, Hindi literature, She paid tribute to the organization’s part of the grant funding and to other thousands of people and promoting
books, banking services, and finan- founder, Mr Mangal Gupta, who sponsors and donors whose support the event to a wider audience. Without
cial advice, were among the many had envisioned celebrating Dusshera made this event possible, allowing it their support, such a significant turn-
highlights. in the United States. Although he to remain free for all attendees. out would not have been achievable.
The atmosphere was electric, passed away in 2012, his legacy lives She also expressed heartfelt The festival commenced at
with attendees delighting in the sight on through the dedicated volunteers thanks to the Township of Edison for 12:30 PM and concluded with the
of the 20-foot Ravan effigy, the tow- and supporters who continue to or- providing the exceptional venue at burning of the 20-foot Ravan effigy.
ering 15-foot Hanuman Ji idol, the ganize this event every year. Lake Papaianni Park and the invalu- Attendees left the event with smiles
gripping Ram Leela, and a plethora Mrs Gupta emphasized the fes- able support from its staff. Without and the inspiring message of the vic-
of sensational cultural performances. tival’s main objective: to pass on the their assistance, this grand celebra- tory of good over evil resonating in
Food vendors tantalized taste buds rich culture and traditions to future tion would not have been possible. their hearts.
with delicious offerings, while cloth- generations, with a core message of The Township’s contribution played Mrs. Gupta concluded by
ing and jewelry stalls also had huge the victory of good over evil. The a pivotal role in ensuring the success thanking the dedicated volunteers
crowds. Children regaled with the Dusshera festival in New Jersey is a of the event. who played a pivotal role in making
thrill of witnessing the burning of the testament to the hard work of over Mrs. Gupta extended her ap- the event a resounding success. Raj
Ravan effigy. 50 dedicated volunteers and support- preciation to various media outlets, Mittal, Dinesh Mittal, Shiva Arya,
Mrs Chanchal Gupta, the Chair- ers who put in year-round efforts to including ITV Gold, TV Asia, Radio Dr. Rajiv Mehta, Dharmesh Agraw-
person of Indo-American Festivals, plan and execute this grand event. Zindagi, Desi Talk, EBC Radio, and al, Shalini Chhabra, including many
Inc., expressed her gratitude to the Mrs. Gupta extended her gratitude many others. Their support was in- others were the key attendees for
audience for joining in the festivities. to Middlesex County for providing a strumental in reaching hundreds of the event.

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