Desi Talk

www.desitalk.com – that’s all you need to know 9 CITY VIEWS August 29, 2025 Indian Community Of Long Island Celebrates India’s Independence Day And Krishna Janmashtami A ttended by over a thousand peo- ple, India’s Independence Day was celebrated by the Indian commu- nity in Long Island on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at the Long Island Mariott. Krishna Janmashtami was also celebrated at the same event, according to a press release from the organizers. Organized jointly by Navika Capital Group and Blue Sky Hospitality Solutions, the event was also attended by invited guests, dignitaries, community leaders and political leaders, including Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman and In- dia’s Member of Parliament Satnam Singh Sandhu. The celebration, co-hosted by Dr. Raj Bhayani and Madhu Pareek, opened with Sanskrit invocation by Neha Bhansali, and a singing of both the American and Indian national anthems. This was fol- lowed by singing of patriotic songs by Budh Prakash. The Independence Day proclamation was read by Varinder Bhalla, followed by speeches from the special guests. Addressing the gathering, Blakeman spoke about the contributions of Indians in areas of business, technology and civic life. Recalling Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, he wished the audience a happy Inde- pendence Day and declared August 15 as India’s Independence Day in Nassau County. Sandhu commended Indian Americans for preserving their traditions and respecting their roots. Community leader Harry Singh Bola was quoted by the press release as saying, “Our efforts will be meaningful only when we put our differences aside, represent India as one country, one people, one person equals the whole community.” Speaking at the event, CEO of the Navika Capital Group Naveen Shah said, “…this celebration shows the strength of our community, our culture, and our unity”. Chairman of the Group Haridas Kotahwala also spoke about pride in In- dia’s Independence Day. “Including Jan- mashtami made the occasion even more special, reminding us of our national heritage and spiritual traditions,” he said, according to the press release. The evening’s program featured more patriotic music, dance, a skit on India’s independence struggle and performance by the Nassau County Band. Singing of Bhajans was part of the evening’s Jan- mashtami celebration, along with cake cutting. A variety of dishes featured at the dinner. At the end of the evening, a box of sweets sponsored by Dr. Deepak Nandi was distributed to all as prasadam. By a StaffWriter PHOTOS:PROVIDED BY NAVIKA CAPITAL GROUP. Naveen Shah, CEO of Navika Capital Group and Bruce Blakeman, County Executive, along with other community members in front of the India’s Tricolor at the India Day celebration August 16, 2025 at Long Island Mariott. Community leaders and organizers attend the singing of the national anthems at India’s Independence Day celebration August 16, 2025. Seen in the photo, along with others, are Indian MP Satnam Singh Sandhu (fourth from right) and Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakewell (fifth from the right). A skit to pay tribute to India’s Independence struggle was part of the Independence Day celebration August 16, 2025 at Long Island Mariott. Indian National Sentenced For Visa Fraud Conspiracy Defendant staged armed robberies so that “victims” could apply for immigration benefits in exchange for thousands of dollars A n Indian national, unlawfully residing in New York, was sentenced August 20, 2025, in federal court in Boston for staging armed robberies in furtherance of a visa fraud conspiracy. Rambhai Patel, 38, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Myong J. Joun to 20 months and eight days in prison, to be followed by two years of supervised release, and forfeiture of $850,000. Patel is subject to deportation after completing the imposed sentence. In May 2025, Patel pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit visa fraud. In Decem- ber 2023, Patel was charged along with co-conspirator Balwinder Singh. Beginning in March 2023, the FBI says, Patel and Singh set up and carried out staged armed robberies of at least 18 convenience/liquor stores and fast-food restaurants across the United States – including at least five in Mas- sachusetts. The purpose of the staged robberies was to allow the store clerks to claim that they were victims of a violent crime on an application for U nonimmigrant status (UVisa). A UVisa is available to victims of certain crimes who have suffered mental or physical abuse and who have been helpful to law enforcement in the investi- gation or prosecution of criminal activity. During the staged robberies, the “robber” would threaten store clerks and/or owners with an apparent firearm before taking cash from the register and fleeing, while the interaction was captured on store surveillance video. The clerks and/or owners would then wait five or more minutes until the “robber” had escaped before call- ing police to report the “crime.” The “victims” paid Patel to participate in the scheme. One purported victim paid $20,000 to participate as a victim in one of the staged armed robberies. In turn, Patel paid the store owners for the use of their stores for the staged robbery. Patel earned approximately $850,000 in the scheme, all of which he is required to forfeit as part of his sentence. At least two purported victim co-conspirators submit- ted UVisa applications based on being victims of the staged armed robberies. Singh pleaded guilty in May 2025, and is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 24, 2025. By a StaffWriter