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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline NOVEMBER 06, 2026 | The Indian Eye 28

Diwali Magic Fills Ashyana: UP Association of Greater

Chicago Celebrates 35 Years of Culture and Togetherness

From 1991 to 2026: UP Association Keeps Culture and India Heritage Alive at United State of America

OUR BUREAU featured powerful Hindi poetry that
has become a cherished tradition of
Chicago, IL
the association. The major highlights
n a warm Sunday evening, Oc- of the cultural evening were outstand-
tober 25, 2026, from 5:00 pm ing dance performances on Indian
Oonwards at Ashyana Banquet music and songs by the young gener-
Hall, 1620 75th Street in Downers ations growing in USA. Rani Trivedi
Grove, Illinois, the UP Association and Uma Agrawal were emcees for
of Greater Chicago (UPAGC) turned the evening and introduced each pro-
a simple banquet hall into a glowing gram in the form of act with typical
home away from home. Families ar- UP regional dialects with lots of laugh.
rived in festive clothes, children ran Vice President Dileep Srivastava
between tables, and the air filled with closed the formal portion with a warm
the familiar scent of home-cooked In- vote of thanks. He reminded everyone
dian food and the promise of music, keep love and belonging, and may the with a heartfelt Diwali wish that every that these yearly gatherings are not ac-
dance, poetry, and pure belonging. UP-Association family grow larger dream be fulfilled and that every eve- cidents of the calendar. They are de-
This was more than a Diwali cel- and stronger every year. ning of laughter become a Diwali of liberate acts of connection. Each Di-
ebration. It was a living reunion of a Then Dr. Subhash Pandey, Chair- its own. wali, each Holi, each picnic is an effort
community that has kept its culture person, Board of Trustee, took the Honorable Consul General of In- by Dr. Subhash Pandey and the entire
alive for thirty-five years on American stage. He is a co-founder of UPAGC dia in Chicago, Dr. M Anand Prakash team to keep the community woven
soil. The UP Association of Greater and has been working tirelessly and a attended as a chief guest of the evening together so that the aspirations peo-
Chicago, founded in October 1991, driving force of this organization since and warmly welcomed Indian commu- ple carried when they left India can
once again proved that distance from its inception. His voice carried both nity on the occasion of Diwali celebra- still be fulfilled here.
the motherland only strengthens the pride and emotion as he recalled the tion. He was introduced by Dr. Pand- Throughout the evening the or-
desire to hold on to language, festivals, association’s founding in 1991 with the ey and honored by all past presidents ganizing committee members stood
and friendship. blessings of the then Consul General of the UPAGC. Dr. Prakash remarks quietly strong who handled tickets,
President Uma Agarwal opened of India and the Governor of Bihar gave Indian community a wonderful seating, food, and the hundred small
the evening with grace and warmth. who happened to be visiting Chicago. and uplifting experience. His presence details that make an event feel ef-
Looking at the smiling faces around From those early days the association itself felt like a blessing on a festival fortless. Their collective work turned
her, she said it felt less like a formal made promotion of Hindi its special of light. The association’s long-stand- Ashyana Banquet Hall into a place
program and more like a family re- mission, launching the annual Kavi ing work of cultural preservation and where old friends reunited, new
union. Diwali, she reminded everyone, Sammelan that has become its signa- community bonding received the qui- friendships began, and children and
is not only about lighting diyas. It is ture event. He highlighted celebration et encouragement of the Consulate. adult performed and watched celebra-
about lighting hearts, sharing joy, and of Diwali, Holi, and the yearly social Program started with Diya light- tion of our wonderful culture. Deli-
simply being present for one another. gatherings that keep families connect- ing followed by Ganesh Vandana cious food followed the performances,
She thanked the tireless committee ed. With quiet force he reminded the dance and Diwali folk song. The cul- the dance floor opened, and the hall
members who worked behind the hall that whether one is from Uttar tural program that followed was pure stayed alive with conversation and
scenes and the performers who prac- Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, or any oth- joy. Ladies of the community took the laughter. The association’s open invi-
ticed for weeks so the evening could er state, the larger Indian community stage with graceful group dances and tation “come with family and friends
shine. Her four-line blessing stayed outside India has one shared respon- lively Garba that filled the hall with and make it a memorable evening”
with many: may every home light a sibility: to preserve and promote the color and rhythm. Children and adults was fully answered.
lamp of happiness, may every heart richness of Indian heritage. He ended alike clapped along. The evening also --Asian Media USA

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