Desi Talk

www.desitalk.com – that’s all you need to know 7 CITY VIEWS December 19, 2025 Federation Of Indian Associations-NY-NJ-CT-NE Announces New Executive Team T he Federation of Indian Associa- tions of USA (FIA NY-NJ-CT-NE) completed its annual internal review and selection process, to announce its new leadership team which will take office January 1, 2024. Sreekanth Akkapalli, an entrepreneur, was unanimously selected to lead the 2026 Executive Team, the first person of Telugu origin to take over, the FIA said. He succeeds outgoing President Saurin Parikh. Continuing in their roles from the previous team are Vice President Priti Ray Patel and General Secretary Srishti Kaul Narula. As part of this year’s restructuring, the Election Commission and FIA Board streamlined the Executive Team and will expand the Council. Shah Accountants, an independent CPA firm, will serve as the organization’s treasurer. The selection process was led by the independently appointed 2026 Election Commission consisting of Alok Kumar, Jayesh Patel and Kenny Desai, a December 1, 2025, press release from the organiza- tion said, noting that the recommenda- tions received full board approval. Akkapalli’s portfolion spans real estate development, technology, media, and diaspora engagement in both the United States and India. His business ventures encompass multinational software devel- opment, transit technology consulting, life sciences, IT and cloud computing, sports manufacturing, and premium furniture design. FIA 2026 ELECTION COMMISSION In his remarks as President-Elect, Akka- palli the Board of Trustees and FIA Chair- man Ankur Vaidya for welcoming him into FIA and helping him find “a larger family” within the organization. He also thanked the advisory members, and executive col- leagues for their warm reception. Promising to commit himself to serve with integrity and purpose, Akkapalli said he was dedicated to advancing the organi- zation, strengthening its flagship initia- tives, and developing programs that foster deeper community engagement. Senior leaders and long-time members praised Akkapalli’s selection, pointing to his “honesty, hard work, integrity, and long-standing commitment, and calling his appointment a historic and forward- looking step that reflects FIA’s growing regional diversity in leadership,” the press release said. By a StaffWriter PHOTOS:FIA Sreekanth Akkapalli who takes over as President of FIA-NYNJCTNE, starting Jan. 1, 2026. FIA 2026 Election Commission. Diwali Is Added To UNESCO’s World Heritage List T he United Nation’s Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organiza- tion (UNESCO) added Deepavali, or Diwali as it is popularly known, to its list of the Intangible Cultural Heri- tage of Humanity, on December 10, 2025. UNESCO’s inscription of Diwali was ad- opted at the Red Fort in New Delhi, during UNESCO’s 20th session of the Intergov- ernmental Committee for Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. Chaired by Vishal V. Sharma, Ambas- sador and Permanent Delegate of India to UNESCO, the session was attended by India’s Union Minister of Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and senior government officials, delegates from 195 member states, international experts and represen- tatives from UNESCO’s global network. The addition of Diwali brings the total to 16 of India’s festivals and traditions on theWorld Heritage List. The List includes, besides Diwali, Garba of Gujarat, Durga Puja in Kolkata, Kumbh Mela, Nowruz (Navroz), Ramman, Yoga, Sankirtana, Buddhist Chanting of Ladakh, Chhau Dance, Kalbelia Folk Songs and Dances, Mudiyettu, Kutiyattam, Ramlila and Vedic Chaning. Diwali was selected out of 67 nomina- tions for 2025. UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity includes over 780 living heri- tage practices from over 150 countries. “New inscription on the #Intangible Heri- tage List: Deepavali, #India. Congratula- tions!,” UNESCO said on X. Heritage, for UNESCO, is not lim- ited to monuments and landscapes, but also encompasses the practices, narratives and skills that shape and give meaning to everyday life. Diwali’s inclusion highlights its cultural importance as a festival of lights, renewal, peace, and the triumph of good, bringing global attention to its living traditions. UNESCO describes Deepavali as a light festival celebrated annually by diverse in- dividuals and communities across India, marking the last harvest of the year and the start of a new year and new season. It also marks the victory of good over evil. The practice involves people of all ages, genders and backgrounds, the website says. “Temples, schools, cultural organiza- tions and digital platforms also play a role in transmitting and safeguarding the practice. A vibrant expression of shared heritage and identity, Deepavali strengthens social bonds, promotes inclusivity, and encourages values such as kindness, gratitude and hope. It also supports local economies and creative expres- sion,” the site reads. In a message on X, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “People in India and around the world are thrilled. For us, Deepavali is very closely linked to our culture and ethos. It is the soul of our civilization. It personifies illumination and righteousness. The addition of Deep- avali to the UNESCO Intangible Heritage List will contribute to the festival’s global popularity even further. May the ideals of Prabhu Shri Ram keep guiding us for eternity.” UNESCO’s list of intangible heritage identifies traditions, skills, and cultural expressions at risk of disappearing, and makes a global call to preserve them. Ele- ments inscribed on this List benefit from technical assistance and emergency fund- ing, bringing international visibility. World Heritage sites belong to all the peoples of the world, irrespective of the territory on which they are located. Last year, in July convention, 24 new sites (19 cultural, 4 natural and 1 mixed) were added to the UNESCOWorld Heri- tage List, thus bringing the total to 1,223 inscribed properties, 952 cultural, 231 natural and 40 mixed. UNESCO encourages the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage around the world through the international treaty called “Convention concerning the Protection of theWorld Cultural and Natural Heritage,” which it adopted in 1972. One of the Convenion’s two governing bodies is theWorld Heritage Committee which is composed of the representatives of 21 States elected from the 195 States parties to the Convention. The Committee is responsible for implementing the Convention and for examining new proposals for inscription on theWorld Heritage List. The Criteria for Selection for theWorld Heritage List requires sites to be of out- standing universal value and meet at least one out of ten selection criteria. The crite- ria are regularly revised by the Committee. Diwali meets the criteria “to bear a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilization which is living or which has disappeared.” By Archana Adalja PHOTO:COURTSEY UNESCOWEBSITE UNESCO’s World Heritage Logo.