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    NORTH AMERICAN Newsline                                                   JULY 24, 2026    |  The Indian Eye 28

               PARAM Keeps the Spirit of Rajasthan Alive

                  Across Borders at Annual Summer Picnic

            OUR BUREAU

            Charlestown, PA
                  he aroma of freshly prepared
                  Rajasthani delicacies, the melo-
            Tdies of traditional folk songs, and
            the laughter of families spanning mul-
            tiple  generations  filled  Charlestown
            Township Park on Sunday, July 12, as
            the Philadelphia  Rajasthani  Mandal
            (PARAM) hosted its Annual Summer
            Picnic. The event brought together
            Rajasthani  families  from  Pennsylva-
            nia, New Jersey, Delaware, and neigh-
            boring states in a vibrant celebration                                                                    From planning the event and
            of culture, heritage, and community.                                                                  transporting cooking equipment to
                The gathering was honored by the                                                                  preparing meals, serving food, coor-
            presence of Chester County Commis-                                                                    dinating activities, and cleaning the
            sioner Josh Maxwell, who attended as                                                                  park afterward, dozens of volunteers
            Chief Guest. Commissioner Maxwell                                                                     donated countless hours to make the
            met with community members, ob-                                                                       celebration possible.
            served the unique traditions that make                                                                    Dr. Ravi Murarka joined fellow
            PARAM’s annual picnic special, and                                                                    volunteers in preparing fresh Kota
            expressed his appreciation for the orga-                                                              Hing Kachoris and  traditional rotis
            nization’s dedication to preserving Ra-                                                               alongside other community members,
            jasthani culture for future generations.                                                              reflecting the spirit of teamwork and
              A Tradition Cooked Together                                                                         service that defines PARAM.
                Unlike many community gather-                                                                         The event showcased the dedi-
            ings, PARAM’s annual picnic contin-                                                                   cation and unity of volunteers whose
            ues  a  cherished  Rajasthani  tradition                                                              commitment continues to strengthen
            of preparing every meal together rath-  ations growing up in the United States.  entertainment.       the Rajasthani community through-
            er than relying on outside catering.  Many PARAM families have lived   Recognizing Young Cultural Am-  out the Greater Philadelphia region.
                Early in the morning, volunteers   in America for decades while continu-   bassadors               Keeping Rajasthan Alive Across
            arrived carrying large cooking vessels,   ing to speak Rajasthani at home, cel-  One of the afternoon’s highlights   Generations
            traditional utensils, spices, and fresh   ebrate traditional festivals, pass down   was the recognition of nine young par-  For  many  first-generation  im-
            ingredients. Families worked side by   family values, and introduce younger   ticipants who represented Rajasthani   migrants, gatherings such as the
            side throughout the day, preparing au-  generations to the customs and heri-  heritage during the Bharatiya Temple   PARAM Annual Summer Picnic rep-
            thentic Rajasthani cuisine just as com-  tage of Rajasthan.         Gangaur Festival by creating presen-  resent much more than a social event.
            munities have done for generations in   “Our children are Americans by   tations and posters promoting the Ra-  They provide an opportunity for
            villages and towns across Rajasthan.  birth, but they should also know where   jasthani language, traditional cuisine,   grandparents, parents, and children
                Guests enjoyed a wide variety of   their ancestors came from,” said Dr.   festivals, culture, and heritage.  to celebrate together while passing on
            freshly prepared dishes, including the   Ravi Murarka, President of PARAM.   Commissioner Josh Maxwell rec-  traditions, language, customs, and val-
            famous Kota Hing Kachori, Gatte Ki   “They should know our language, our   ognized the students’ dedication to   ues to future generations.
            Sabzi, Aloo Ki Sabzi, Dal, Rice, fresh   traditions, our festivals, our food, and   preserving their cultural roots while   As many community members
            rotis,  traditional  chutneys  includ-  our values. Heritage survives only   growing up in the United States.  often say: “India is our Janmab-
            ing Lasun Chutney, Kairi Ka Panna,   when it is practiced.”             Earlier this year, these students   hoomi—our land of birth. America is
            Ras Malai, ice cream, and traditional   Traditional Games for a New   were also recognized by the Rajas-  our Karmabhoomi—our land of op-
            paan. The homemade flavors and aro-          Generation             than Association of North America   portunity.”
            mas brought back fond memories of     The picnic also celebrated Rajas-  (RANA) for their outstanding efforts   PARAM believes that embracing
            Rajasthan for many attendees.     than’s traditional games, giving both   to promote Rajasthani heritage.  life in America while preserving Ra-
                Commissioner Maxwell sampled   children and adults an opportunity to   A special recognition was pre-  jasthan’s rich cultural heritage creates
            several traditional dishes, including   experience activities enjoyed for gen-  sented to Aarushi Sharma, whose pre-  stronger families and stronger com-
            the popular Kota Hing Kachori, and   erations.                      sentation on the importance of pre-  munities.
            complimented the volunteers for pre-  Adults enthusiastically participat-  serving one’s mother tongue earned   As the evening concluded with
            paring authentic homemade Rajas-  ed in the traditional game Satoliya,   special appreciation from Shri Prem   smiling faces, shared memories, and
            thani cuisine.                    while many children were introduced   Bhandari, President of RANA, who   renewed friendships, one message res-
              Preserving a Living Heritage    to  Ghoda  Javar  Khay  for  the  first   honored her for her exceptional work.  onated throughout the gathering:
                Beyond  the  food and  festivities,   time. Families also enjoyed cricket,   Volunteers Make It Possible  Distance may separate Rajasthan
            PARAM’s mission is to preserve the   volleyball, badminton, and other rec-  The success of the annual picnic   from America, but love for one’s roots
            Rajasthani language, traditions, values,   reational activities, creating a balance   was made possible entirely through   knows no borders. Wherever Rajas-
            and cultural heritage for future gener-  between heritage and modern family   volunteer service.      thanis gather, Rajasthan lives.

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