NEW YORK: Gujarati Samaj of New York will be hosting a Cultural Festival of Gujarat to mark the celebration of its 40th Anniversary. The announcement was made at a high profile event held at Indian Consulate in New York that was attended by over 120 VIPs, members and guests from Tri-State area.
Attendees observed silence in memory of late Gopinath Munde, a member of the Modi ministry, who died in an accident last week. NY Consul General Dyaneshwar Mulay inaugurated the launch with traditional lamp ceremony with committee members, chanting of Shlokas by Chamunda Swami.
The three-day celebrations, it was announced, will be held on August on 8, 9 and 10 in St. Anthony’s Conference Center in Melville, New York. It will be a mega event showcasing the rich history, culture and heritage of State of Gujarat in India, birth state of global icon Mahatma Gandhi, Iron man Sardar Patel, religious gurus including Pramukh Swami, business leaders Ratan Tata and Dhirubhai Ambani and the recently elected Prime Minister of India, Narendrabhai Modi among others.
It will show case Garbo from Gujarati Samaj, Bhavai by Shakuntal Arts, Kamlesh Patel Dance, Dayro by Sairam Dave & Group, Women Seminar by Kajal Oza, Group Bhajans by Hari Bharwad, comedy by Jagdish Trivedi, concert by Mauli Dave, Fashion Show by Sringar group, Archan Trivedi for drama, Bhanubhai Vora of Swarkinnary group from Bombay, Sanjay Oza and Party, Sahitya lecture, Auction Of Arts and Award ceremony.
CG Mulay congratulated Samaj founders, past and present President, committee members and member families on their unprecedented success in building the Samaj over last four decades.
He expressed the need to market India better especially to the mainstream. He asked every member to invite mainstream people to events and educate them about richness of India and Indian culture. He wondered why India still does not have a permanent seat at Security Council. He shared the Consulate initiative to host a series of events on India’s diversity of various states, and also on a series of events with top guest speakers where mainstream is invited and informed about India and Indian community.
He urged the community members to bring American friends to the Consulate while attending events. He shared his convictions that India and USA are best partners to build the global economy. And every NRI should help making that happen.
R. D. Patel, Chairman of Board of Trustees said, “We are excited to present this mega event to the community to thank our predecessors who brought the Samaj reach this far. This institution has been the cornerstone for our community to continue to share our culture with generations over last 40 years and I promise to continue to build with help from each Trustee of the Board in coming years”.
Harshad Patel, President of Gujarati Samaj of New York said, “I am fortunate to be the President in this historic year, and look forward to host an event of international standards with help from Dilip Chauhan, Minesh Patel and Bhupendra Patel, along with day to day contribution from my able committee members, Jatin Upadhyay, Chandrakant Patel, Chimanbhai Patel, Anil Patel, Kiritbhai Patel and Divyesh Tripathi, to make this dream come true. I urge each of the community people of Indian origin to join us, and business community to help with support to make it a grand success”.
Bharti Desai, Program manager and host of Gujarati Samaj of New York and launch event, said, “It has been a pleasant experience for me to host and organize multiple events at the Samaj in last few decades. It has helped me creatively to contribute in making each program a success. After having worked with several Presidents at the Samaj, now I look forward to handling this mega event and take the events presented by the Samaj to the next level in organizational excellence”.
The Samaj established in 1974 has now membership of more than 2400 families representing some of the most successful and affluent Gujarati Americans of Tri-state area. It showcased “Garavi Gujarat,” a film on Gujarat’s riches and unfolded the video on CFG. The website was inaugurated by the Consul General.
As of today the Samaj life membership has reached over 2400. Over last 39 years the Samaj has conducted several activities to promote Gujarati and Indian religions and culture in New York area to community persons from all generations. In 1985, the Samaj acquired its own 12,000 sqft center located in Fresh Meadows, Queens, New York. The Center can accommodate up to 700 people.
Attendees will enjoy traditional Gujarati food, famous Gujarati movies like Jigar ane ami, Akhand Saubhagyavati and Mahendi Rang Lagyo. Various booths will decorate the exhibition at the event with book stalls and handicrafts. Samaj has announced a raffle draw for a BMW car for the attendees.
Top Government officials, public persons, business and community leaders, young professionals, achievers and VVIPs are expected to attend the mega event over 3-days to be attended by 5,000 per day.
Dr Navin Mehta, Trustee and major supporter of Samaj, thanked the attendees and community in helping the Samaj in the last 39 years.
Neela Pandya
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