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    NORTH AMERICAN Newsline                                           NOVEMBER 28, 2025        |  The Indian Eye 18

             Saree Goes Global Returns to Times Square, Blending

                        Culture, Colour and Women’s Empowerment

              Host Committee with Dignitaries during welcome remarks by Uma Global President Dr. Rita   Host Committee performing welcome Shloka.
              Kakati-Shah. Dignitaries from left Dr. Jessica Sims from St. George’s Society of NY, Consul   From left Nira Bahauddin, Pooja Mugilan, Jayeeta Mukherjee, Garima Agrawal,
             Head of Chancery at Indian Consulate in NY Pragya Singh, Deputy Commissioner of Interna-  Rita Kakati-Shah, Mitali Chattopadhyay
                           tional Affairs at NYC Mayor’s Office Dilip Chauhan.                         (Photo credit Friday Films).

            OUR BUREAU                        the NYC Mayor’s Office, praised the   community ties.               and Kankana Goswami, vocalist
                                              event as a testament to New York’s    Dressed in a paat silk mekhela   Shimul Khan, and dhol artist Prince
            New York, NY:
                                              inclusive spirit. “The saree reminds   chador from Sualkuchi in Assam, Dr.   Murmu.  The  square  came  alive  as
                  imes Square burst into co-  us that when women lead, communi-  Rita Kakati-Shah, President of Uma   the crowd joined in the infectious
                  lour and celebration as Sa-  ties thrive,” he said, commending the   Global, said the event was a tribute   rhythm of Jai Ho.
            Tree Goes Global returned to      organisers for bringing a cultural cel-  to women, youth, and the global   The signature saree walkathon
            Father Duffy Square for its second   ebration of such scale and meaning   saree community. “Seeing Times   — a spirited march led by the dhol
            year, transforming one of the world’s   to Times Square.            Square once again transform into   — brought  participants  together  in
            busiest public spaces into a sweeping   New York Governor Kathy Ho-  a  sea  of  culture,  colour,  and  confi-  a lively display of unity and cultural
            showcase of South Asian heritage.   chul sent a congratulatory letter   dence is something we should all be   pride, drawing cheers from onlook-
            Organized by Uma Global in part-  applauding Uma Global and Dr.     very proud of,” she said.         ers and tourists.
            nership with the Consulate Gener-  Rita Kakati-Shah for their efforts   After the dignitary remarks,      Special appreciation was extend-
            al of India in New York, the event   in promoting cultural exchange and   Host Committee members per-  ed to the Host Committee — Dr.
            brought together women and cul-   women’s empowerment. Dr. Jessica   formed a traditional shlok, setting   Garima Agrawal, Jayeeta Mukher-
            tural enthusiasts from across India,   Sims of the St. George’s Society of   the stage for a cultural program   jee, Nira Bahauddin, Dr. Mitali
            Bangladesh,  the  UK,  the  West  In-  New York underscored the role of   that featured performances by Hi-  Chattopadhyay, Pooja Mugilan, Dr.
            dies, Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka,   cross-cultural initiatives in building   mani Joshi, dancers Rokaya Begum   Salma Khan and Dr. Dipti Jain — for
            and several American cities, turning                                                                  their dedication in shaping the event
            Times Square into a vibrant global                                                                    and energising its global community.
            tapestry.                                                                                                 With  participants  representing
                The celebration opened with                                                                       cultures and nations across conti-
            remarks from dignitaries, including                                                                   nents, this year’s edition of Saree
            Mrs. Pragya Singh, Consul (Head of                                                                    Goes Global reaffirmed its position
            Chancery) at the Consulate General                                                                    as a powerful platform for heritage,
            of India, who spoke about the saree’s                                                                 community, and women’s empow-
            ancient history and its enduring cul-                                                                 erment.
            tural resonance. She noted that the                                                                       About      Uma       Global:
            saree, one of the world’s oldest con-                                                                 Uma Global is a New York–based
            tinuously worn garments, embodies                                                                     philanthropic organisation dedicat-
            India’s artistic diversity through its                                                                ed to empowering youth and women
            fabrics, drapes and regional tradi-                                                                   through education, leadership and
            tions. “Saree Goes Global beauti-                                                                     cross-cultural initiatives. Its pro-
            fully brings this legacy to life in the                                                               grams span multiple countries, fos-
            centre of New York City,” she said.  Traditional Bihu Dance from Assam performed by Kankana Goswami, with audience member   tering confidence, collaboration and
                Dilip Chauhan, Deputy Com-                      and Uma Global President Rita Kakati-Shah         global understanding among emerg-
            missioner for International Affairs at                                                                ing leaders and changemakers.

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