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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline OCTOBER 23, 2026 | The Indian Eye 24

flects the strong partnership between
entire municipal administration for nonprofit organizations, businesses,
their continued support. For more public institutions and the wider com-
than two decades, their cooperation munity.
has helped us bring this wonderful cel- A $90,000 Community Celebra-
ebration to the community. Dushahra tion Offered Free to the Public
is much more than a festival. It brings Organizing a festival of this mag-
people of different backgrounds, nitude requires substantial financial
cultures and communities together,
fostering harmony, friendship and a resources, with the 2026 event budget
estimated at approximately $90,000.
sense of oneness among all.” Despite the considerable expens-
Raj Mittal, Vice Chairperson of
IAF, emphasized the festival’s impor- es associated with artistic productions,
event infrastructure, public safety,
tance in preserving cultural heritage equipment, insurance, logistics and
for future generations. other services, Indo-American Festi-
“Our primary mission is to intro-
duce our children and younger gen- vals continued its longstanding com-
mitment to offering the celebration
erations to the richness of Indian cul- with free admission and free parking.
ture, traditions and values. Through This commitment is made pos-
the Ramleela and the celebration of sible through sponsorships, vendor
Dushahra, we want our children to devoted volunteers and supporters. and community supporters. participation, donations, volunteer
understand the greatness of the Ra-
Their collective efforts, commit-
Middlesex County, New Jersey, contributions and community part-
mayana and the timeless message of ment and willingness to serve the provided grant funding in support of nerships.
the victory of good over evil. We hope community were instrumental in co- arts and cultural programming, helping By removing admission and
to inspire them to cherish these tradi- ordinating the numerous activities promote cultural heritage, artistic ex- parking costs, IAF seeks to ensure
tions and carry this beautiful cultural and operational requirements of this pression and community participation. that families from all economic back-
legacy forward for generations to major festival. The organizers also acknowl- grounds can participate in and enjoy
come.” The organizers emphasized that edged the invaluable cooperation of this important cultural celebration.
Shiva Arya, President of IAF,
The organization believes that
highlighted the extraordinary dedica- the success of the Grand Dushahra Edison Township, including its provi- cultural heritage should be accessible
sion of the park facilities and the as-
Festival would not have been possible
tion required to organize such a large without the extraordinary teamwork, sistance of police, fire and municipal to everyone and that such celebra-
community event. dedication and generosity of these in- personnel whose contributions were tions serve as valuable opportunities
“Our entire team works tirelessly
throughout the year to bring this one- dividuals, their families and the many essential to the event’s safe and suc- to strengthen relationships among
volunteers who worked quietly be-
cessful operation.
communities.
day celebration to life. Our greatest hind the scenes. Major sponsors and supporters A Celebration of Heritage, Har-
satisfaction comes from seeing thou- Special appreciation was also included Suhag Jewelers, HindiUSA, mony and Hope for Future Genera-
sands of families, especially young extended to the thousands of visitors New York Life, PNC Bank, Nandan- tions. As the evening concluded with
children, enjoying the festival and who traveled from across the Tri- sons International, Dr. Samin Sharma, spectacular fireworks lighting up the
connecting with their cultural roots.
Everything we do is driven by our State region, many accompanied by Vinod Madhok, Royal Albert’s Palace Edison skyline, the 28th Grand Du-
shahra Festival once again demon-
children and elderly family members, and numerous other businesses, indi-
commitment to serving the commu-
nity and keeping our traditions alive.” to participate in the celebration. viduals and organizations. strated the power of culture to bring
people together.
Middlesex County, Edison Town-
The organizers extended special
Dedicated Volunteers: The Driv-
ship and Sponsors Provide Vital Sup-
ing Force Behind the Festival port thanks to media supporters, including Beyond the colorful performanc-
Parikh Worldwide Media, ITV Gold, es, bustling marketplace and dramatic
Behind the colorful festivities and
The festival’s success was made
grand celebrations was an extraordi- possible through the generous sup- Radio Zindagi and EBC Radio, along Ravan Dahan, the festival delivered
a timeless message of righteousness,
with other media partners whose pub-
nary team of more than 30 dedicated port of Middlesex County, Edison licity and community outreach helped unity and the enduring victory of
volunteers who worked tirelessly for Township, corporate sponsors, indi- attract a large audience. good over evil.
months to make this large-scale com- vidual donors, participating vendors Their continued involvement re- For thousands of families, the cel-
munity event a success. ebration was an opportunity to recon-
From sponsorships, vendor reg-
istrations and cultural programming nect with cherished traditions, intro-
duce children to India’s rich cultural
to logistics, municipal coordination, heritage and create lasting memories.
public safety, publicity and site oper-
For Indo-American Festivals, Inc.,
ations, these volunteers contributed it was another successful chapter in a
countless hours of selfless service. mission that began in 1999: preserv-
Among the key volunteers and
community members whose ded- ing cultural traditions, strengthening
ication and contributions helped community bonds and inspiring fu-
ture generations to carry forward the
make the festival possible were Dr. values and heritage of their ancestors.
Ravindra Goyal and Damyanti Goy- The organizers expressed their
al, Shalini Chhabra, VishvJeet, Amit deepest gratitude to Edison Town-
Gupta, Satya Arya, Piyush Baranwal,
Abhinav Arya, Ritesh Maheshwari, ship, Middlesex County, participating
artists, sponsors, vendors, volunteers,
Ashwini Kumar, Dr. Rajeev Mehta, media partners and the thousands of
Dolly Mittal, Sudha Sharma, Ra- visitors whose enthusiastic participa-
jendra Prasad, and Dr. Om Sharma, tion made the 28th Grand Dushahra
Ravi Dhingra, along with many other
Festival a memorable success.

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