Desi Talk

www.desitalk.com – that’s all you need to know 8 CITY VIEWS July 11, 2025 FIA New England Celebrates 249th U.S. Independence Day To Recognize War Veterans T he Foundation of Indian Americans (FIA) New England, in collabora- tion with The Boston Group, hosted a grand celebration of the 249th Independence Day of the United States, bringing together diverse com- munities to honor the shared values of “freedom, unity, and cross-cultural pride,” on June 29, 2025, in Northborough, Mas- sachusetts. The celebration began with a warm welcome by Jyoti Singh, member of the FIA Board of Directors, and was emceed by Maggie Lemay, a U.S. military veteran, 9/11 survivor, and Ms. Continental World- wide, according to a statement issued by FIA. Vice President of FIA, Sanjay Gokhale, led the opening ceremony with the Pledge of Allegiance. This was followed by a rendition of the U.S. National Anthem, performed by children from the Padamini Dance Academy and accompanied by a local band. A central highlight of the event was the recognition of American war veterans and local law enforcement. The following individuals and groups were honored for their service and dedication: • Elizabeth Barry – U.S. Army Veteran • Bruce DeGraff – U.S. Marine Corps Veteran • Northborough Police Department, represented by Chief Brian Griffin and Officer Spencer Community leaders Meetu Gupta and Irvin Victoria King were also recognized for their outstanding civic contributions. According to FIA, the veterans shared poignant memories of their military service, including reflections onWorld War II, creating a deeply moving moment for all in attendance. These heroes were presented with special honors by Shruthi Purushottam, Deputy Consul General of India in Boston, FIA President Abhishek Singh, and other FIA executives. A surprise video message from former U.S. Congressman Joe Kennedy III con- veyed heartfelt greetings and commended the Indian American community for its ongoing contributions to the American landscape. Speaking at the event, Founder of The Boston Group, Subu Kota, remarked, “The Indian American community is an inte- gral part of the fabric of the U.S. society and has always stood for the welfare and progress of this nation.” The celebration featured cultural per- formances, live music, and a diverse array of cuisine, creating a vibrant showcase of Indian American pride and American patriotism. Organizers emphasized the event’s message of inclusivity, multicul- turalism, and civic unity. FIA extended its gratitude to its core teammembers, including Rakesh–Deepti Kavsari, Amol–Piyusha & Pranita, San- tosh–Girish Soni, Mohan Ji, Chanukya Rao, Divya Prakash, Naveen Kumar, Abhi- nav Yadav, Vishant Mahajan, and Himan- shu Chouhan. Special thanks were also extended to Mitesh & Padamini and her dance team; Santosh & Bhawana for their musical con- tributions; and Maharshi & Jassi, along with the American band led by Mark Femino and others, for their support in making the event a success. -(Used under special arrangement with SAH) By South Asian Herald PHOTOS:FIA NewEngland