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

                  Atlantic County Asian Indian Community Celebrates

             Indian Independence Day at Vaikunth Hindu Jain Temple

                                                                                                                  Mohini Banot, and Kunj Ben.
            NEERAJ DHAR
                                                                                                                  Special Recognition for Shantanu Singh
            Pomona, NJ
                                                                                                                      One of the most memorable and
                  he Asian Indian community of                                                                    heartfelt moments of the celebration
                  Atlantic County, New Jersey,                                                                    was  a  special  recognition  honoring
            Tcame together in a festive and                                                                       Shantanu Singh, a dedicated commu-
            patriotic spirit to celebrate 80th Indi-                                                              nity volunteer who  has  consistently
            an Independence Day on August 15                                                                      contributed his time, enthusiasm, and
            at the Vaikunth Hindu Jain Temple                                                                     positive spirit to community activities.
            in  Pomona.  Organized  by  dedicated                                                                     Atlantic County Sheriff Joseph
            community volunteers, the celebra-                                                                    O’Donoghue and Executive Un-
            tion brought together community                                                                       dersheriff  Mario  Suarez  honored
            members, prominent business lead-                                                                     Shantanu by presenting him with the
            ers, social organizations, students, and                                                              honorary title of Sheriff’s Deputy, rec-
            elected officials from local municipali-                                                              ognizing his commitment to volunteer
            ties, Atlantic County, and the State of                                                               service and his meaningful contribu-
            New Jersey.                                                                                           tions to the community.
                The program opened with prayers                                                                       Shantanu expressed his heartfelt
            led  by  Mr.  Jayesh  Jha,  followed  by                                                              gratitude to Sheriff O’Donoghue for
            the singing of the United States and                                                                  the special honor, making the rec-
            Indian National Anthems, beautiful-                                                                   ognition an especially touching and
            ly  performed  by  local  children.  The                                                              memorable moment for everyone in
            American and Indian flags were cere-                                                                  attendance.
            monially hoisted and saluted together,                                                                    Organizing team member Vishal
            symbolizing the enduring friendship,                                                                  Brahmbhatt highlighted Shantanu’s
            shared democratic values, and strong                                                                  accomplishments and community in-
            people-to-people ties  between  the                                                                   volvement and assisted with the rec-
            United States and India. The ceremo-                                                                  ognition. He also expressed appreci-
            ny also reflected the Indian American                                                                 ation to Sheriff O’Donoghue and the
            Community’s commitment to embrac-                                                                     Atlantic  County  Sheriff’s  Office  for
            ing American civic life while proud-                                                                  their throughtful gesture and support
            ly  preserving  its  cultural  heritage.                                                              of the community.
                Organizing team member Cha-                                                                           The celebration concluded with
            ran Singh welcomed community                                                                          refreshments, including tea, coffee,
            members, guests, elected officials, and                                                               donuts, fresh fruit, and ice cream, pro-
            volunteers. In his remarks, he spoke                                                                  viding attendees with an opportunity
            about  the  significance  of  Indian  In-                                                             to socialize, reconnect with friends
            dependence Day and the enduring                                                                       and families, and strengthen commu-
            relationship between India and the                                                                    nity relationships.
            United  States.  He  highlighted  the                                                                     Kunj Ben thanked all attendees,
            democratic traditions shared by both                                                                  distinguished guests, performers, vol-
            nations and emphasized that the Indi-                                                                 unteers,  and  community  supporters.
            an American community has become                                                                      Special appreciation was extended to
            an integral part of American society                                                                  the Vaikunth Hindu Jain Temple com-
            while maintaining strong connections                                                                  mittee for providing the venue and
            to  its  cultural  heritage.  He  also  un-                                                           supporting the successful celebration.
            derscored the commitment to civic                                                                         The event served as a meaningful
            participation, volunteerism, service,   Mario  Suarez;  Galloway  Township   nizing outstanding community service,   celebration of India’s independence,
            and strengthening the partnership be-  Deputy Mayor Rich Clute and Coun-  cultural contributions, and harmony   the enduring friendship between India
            tween the two countries.          cil member Umer Mohammed; and     were presented to Gayatri Parivar and   and the United States, and the many
                The celebration continued with   Christian Ragland, and Felicia Banks,   Vineland Parivar. The proclamations   contributions of the Indian American
            patriotic songs, cultural performanc-  Assistant Vice Presidents of Diversity   were presented by Don Guardian and   community to Atlantic County and
            es, and community activities. Distin-  at AtlantiCare.              June  Byrnes, with assistance from   the broader New Jersey community.
            guished community members, social     The participation of youth, wom-  Chirag Desai.                     The organizing committee ex-
            organizations, achievers, and students   en, children, and senior citizens was   Certificates recognizing academic   pressed its commitment to continuing
            were recognized for their accomplish-  particularly noteworthy, reflecting the   achievement and community contri-  similar cultural, civic, and communi-
            ments, leadership, and contributions   strong community spirit and intergen-  butions were also presented to Poo-  ty-building events throughout the year
            to the community.                 erational connections within the Indi-  nam Patel, Yuvika Patel, Parth Patel,   to bring people together, strengthen
                Among the distinguished guests   an American community.         and  Kaya  Shah.  The  recognitions   community bonds, and contribute to
            were New Jersey State Assemblyman     On behalf of U.S. Congressman   were presented by Christian Ragland,   the betterment of the community as
            Don Guardian; Atlantic Undersheriff   Jeff Van Drew, proclamations recog-  with  assistance  from  Sheetal  Parikh,   a whole.

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