Page 30 - The Indian EYE 090426

NORTH AMERICAN Newsline SEPTEMBER 04, 2026 | The Indian Eye 30

Saree Goes Global Lights Up Times Square

for Third Year, Celebrating Heritage, Unity,

and Women’s Empowerment

OUR BUREAU Three inspiring women were
honored during this year’s celebra-
New York, NY
tion. Yoshita Singh, an award-win-
imes Square came alive with ning senior multimedia journalist
color, music, dance, and the and Chief UN and New York Cor-
Tvibrant beauty of the saree as respondent for Press Trust of India,
Saree Goes Global USA returned to was recognized for her distinguished
Father Duffy Square for its third con- career covering international affairs,
secutive year. India-US relations, trade, culture, and
Organized by Uma Global in the United Nations. Shaila Rizvi, inte-
partnership with the Consulate Gen- rior designer and Creative Director of
eral of India in New York, the annual Bungalow, the acclaimed New York
celebration brought together wom- restaurant from Michelin-starred
en, families, performers, community chef Vikas Khanna and restaurateur
leaders, and visitors from across the Jimmy Rizvi, was honored for her
United States and beyond, transform- creative achievements, including her
ing one of the world’s most iconic role in shaping Bungalow’s distinc-
public spaces into a celebration of tive design and visual identity. Mysha
heritage, artistry, cultural connection, Rizvi, Guest Relations Manager and
and women’s empowerment. a beloved member of the Bungalow
Uma Global extends its foremost team, was recognized for the warmth
gratitude to Ambassador Binaya Sri- and hospitality she brings to the cele-
kanta Pradhan, Consul General of brated restaurant.
India in New York, for his continued The celebration was led by the
encouragement and support of Saree Saree Goes Global USA Host Com-
Goes Global, and to the Consulate mittee: Garima Agrawal, Mitali Chat-
General of India team for its part- topadhyay, Rita Kakati-Shah, and
nership in bringing the celebration to Jayeeta Mukherjee, whose collective
Times Square for a third year. efforts helped bring the third annual
Rajlakshmi Appasaheb Kadam, Times Square event to life.
Consul (Trade) at the Consulate Gen- “Seeing Times Square filled with
eral of India in New York, provided women and girls proudly showcasing
remarks reflecting on the heritage and the extraordinary diversity of India’s
craftsmanship embodied by the saree: weaves was incredibly special,” said Dr.
“The saree is a living legacy of our art, Rita Kakati-Shah, President of Uma
traditions, and hard-working weavers.” Global and Host Committee member.
The program also featured spe- “It was also wonderful to see the men
cial messages and remarks from dis- proudly joining us in their dhotis, and
tinguished public officials. New York people from so many different back-
Governor Kathy Hochul sent greet- grounds stopping, watching, dancing,
ings marking the third annual Saree and celebrating with us. Saree Goes
Goes Global celebration and rec- Global is about much more than
ognized the leadership of the team what we wear. It is about confidence,
in bringing communities together heritage, connection, and bringing
through cultural exchange. people together across cultures.”
Dilip Chauhan, Deputy Chief That spirit was echoed by the oth-
Business Diversity Officer at the New er members of the Host Committee.
York City Mayor’s Office, celebrated Jayeeta Mukherjee said, “Our mis-
New York City as a city of opportu- sion is to preserve this heritage, cham-
nity and inclusiveness, while refer- pion true craftsmanship, and take the
encing Mayor Zohran Mamdani, the Saree Goes Global team on its contin- erations. “When our daughters drape story of the saree from our commu-
city’s first South Asian Mayor, and ued success. themselves in these beautiful six yards nities to the global stage.” Dr. Mitali
his vision of making opportunity ac- In remarks delivered on her be- of gorgeous fabric, they are not mere- Chattopadhyay described the saree
cessible to New Yorkers regardless of half, Ragini Srivastava, elected Town ly wearing a garment, they are wrap- as “a living symbol of Indian heritage,
background or culture. Chauhan also Clerk for the Town of North Hemp- ping themselves in thousands of years carrying centuries of stories, crafts-
highlighted the important role diverse stead in Nassau County, New York, of grandeur and history,” she said, un- manship, and identity across borders.”
communities play in strengthening the emphasized the importance of pass- derscoring the role of younger genera- Dr. Garima Agrawal added, “Every
city’s economy and congratulated the ing cultural heritage to younger gen- tions in carrying this heritage forward. Continued on next page... >>

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