Desi Talk

www.desitalk.com – that’s all you need to know Federation Of Indian Associations Hosts Successful 43rd Dance Pe Chance Event T he Federation of Indian Asso- ciations (FIA-NY-NJ-CT-NE) held its flagship annual Dance Pe Chance (DPC) event Sat- urday, February 7, 2026. This 43rd edition of the cultural event was held in the Patriots Theater at theWar Memorial in Trenton, New Jersey. This year’s edition featured nearly 870 performers from 18 leading dance academies, presenting 31 performances across Minor, Junior, Senior, and Adult categories, a press release from FIA said. Judges for the event included well-known cultural personalities in- cluding Bollywood actress Padmini Kolhapure, choreographer Supriya Doshi, and classical dance exponent Antima Chakraborty. The event also celebrated India’s 77th Republic Day which fell on January 26, and the 150th anniversary of the patriotic Indian anthem,Vande Mata- ram. A press release from FIA estimated more than 2,200 people attended the event including dignitaries, commu- nity leaders, and family members of the par- ticipants, as well as sup- porters, who witnessed Indian classical, folk, Bollywood, and con- temporary dance forms performed on stage. National anthems of US and India jumpstart- ed the event. Leaders of FIA highlighted the or- ganization’s mission and accomplishments. DPC Chair Priti Ray-Patel reflected on the four-de- cade legacy of Dance Pe Chance. FIA President Sreekanth Akkapalli outlined key milestones of the year and empha- sized the vital role of volunteers. FIA Chair- man Ankur Vaidya spoke about FIA’s continued growth as a unifying force for the Indian diaspora. FIA’s 2026 Executive Commit- tee was sworn in by India’s Consul General in NewYork Binaya Srikanta Pradhan who commended FIA for continuing to expand the scale and impact of the event and outlined expanded consular services available to meet the evolving needs of the Indian diaspora. India’s Deputy Consul General in NY Vishal J. Harsh also attended, extending his support to the com- munity and acknowledging FIA’s continued commitment to cultural preservation and diaspora engage- ment. Emcees Mamta Narula and Srishti Narula kept the audience engaged through the evening. Broadway-style production ele- ments—including a massive LED backdrop, immersive lighting, and elaborate costumes-enhanced the varied performances on stage. During the grand finale, more than 100 volunteers were rec- ognized for their contributions, followed by the awards ceremony honoring winners in categories such as Best Choreography, Thematic In- novation, and Outstanding Spirit. Planning is already underway for the 44th Edition in 2027, promising an even more spectacular celebra- tion, organizers said in the press release. They also attributed the suc- cess of the event to the support from businesses, foundations, and media organizations like ParikhWorldwide Media and ITV Gold, among numer- ous others. The Federation of Indian Associa- tions (FIA-NY-NJ-CT-NE): is one of the oldest and largest non-profit umbrella organizations representing Indian Americans in the northeast- ern United States. By a StaffWriter PHOTOS:COURTESY FIA 870 children and adults participated in the Dance Pe Chance competition hosted by FIA in Trenton, NJ, on Feb. 7, 2026. Seen here is one of the many dance performances. India’s Consul General Binaya Srikanta Pradhan swearing-in the new Executive Committee of FIA for 2026. Judges evaluating the dance performances, and in the backdrop the sold out FIA 43rd Dance Pe Chance event held Feh. 7, 2026, in Trenton, NJ. 13 COVER STORY February 13, 2026