Desi Talk

www.desitalk.com – that’s all you need to know 7 CITY VIEWS April 3, 2026 77th Rajasthan Diwas & Holi Sneh Milan Celebrated At Indian Consulate, NY, Indo-US Friendship Center Initiative Announced T he Rajasthan Association of North America (RANA) proudly celebrat- ed the 77th Rajasthan Diwas and Holi Sneh Milan at the Consulate General of India in NewYork, bringing together members of the Rajasthani di- aspora, community leaders, and distin- guished guests. RANA President Prem Bhandari an- nounced, on behalf of RANA Founder K.K. Chandra Mehta, an initial contribution of USD 5 million plus from the Mehta Family Trust toward the development of the Indo-US Friendship Center, an initiative conceptualized by Consul General of India in New York Binaya Srikanta Pradhan. Mehta, a philanthropist of note, is also known for donating 100 rooms at his Times Square hotel for students in need during the COVID pandemic, and for host- ing the Vande Bharat Mission–2 Air India crew at the request of Prem Bhandari. The Indo-US Friendship Center is expected to include a Rajasthan Bhawan, a Yoga and Ayurveda Center, a Convention Center, and a Social Center for Seniors, a press release from RANA said. Discussions for this project began during the previous RANA Deep Mahotsav. CG Pradhan spoke of his vision for the Center. Mehta spoke about entrusting the imple- mentation to Bhandari, the press release said. Bhandari called for the inclusion of Rajasthani Bhasha in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution and appealed to the Chief Minister of Rajasthan to grant Rajasthani the status of a second language within the state. The event also featured the presti- gious Rajasthan Ratna Awards, conferred upon distinguished individuals for their remarkable contributions to society and philanthropy. The honorees included Dr. Samin Sharma, Dr. Narinder Kukar, Dr. Raj Bansal, Ashok Sancheti, and Jugal Kishore Ladda. All five were also appointed as Patrons of RANA in recognition of their outstanding philanthropic contributions in both the United States and India. Addi- tionally, Nand Todi was honored with the Rajasthan Ratna Award for his continued humanitarian efforts, including a recent donation of USD 1 million toward a shel- ter home for the homeless in Montgom- ery County, Suburb of Philadelphia, along with his longstanding support of Jaipur Foot and Apna Ghar Ashram. In recognition of humanitarian service, Team Aid Founder Mohan Nannapaneni and his team were honored with a plaque for their extraordinary work in facilitating over 5,000 repatriations of mortal remains to 27 countries, primarily to India, since 2017. All honors and awards were presented by Chief Guest Consul General Pradhan. Bhandari praised Ambassador Pradhan for keeping the NewYork Consulate operational 365 days a year, and serving more than 2 mil- lion Indians within its jurisdiction. Dr. Ravi Murarka, Media Chairman, also spoke at the event, about the Boston India Consulate’s decision to follow NewYork’s example. Attendees were informed about a Jaipur Foot camp to be held again in Gujarat, sponsored by BRUHUD NY Seniors under the leadership of its President Ajay Patel, in memory of his father, Late Shashikant Bhai. The celebration included cultural per- formances including flower Holi festivi- ties, dances by women and children, and a poetry recital by Abhinav Shukla. RANA Treasurer NeelamModi welcomed the at- tendees, and RANA Secretary Ravi Jangarh delivered the vote of thanks. PHOTOS:X.COM @INDIAINNEWYORK Scenes from the RANA event held at the Indian Consulate in NYC. By a StaffWriter NYC’s Navaratri And Ram Navami Celebrations Draw Large Crowds H undreds flocked to The Hindu Temple Society of North America, better known as Ganesh Temple, in Flushing, NY, to partici- pate in the birth anniversary of Shri Ram, Ram Navami, on Sunday, March 29, 2026. In a unique feature of the celebration, Ganesh Temple celebrates all nine days of Chaitra Na- varatri beginning on the Telugu NewYear Ugadi on the first day of the month of Chaitra and conclud- ing on Ram Navami day with nine days of special, intensive religious rituals. Like every year, this year’s celebrations included daily special pujas, scripture readings, chanting and praying and kirtans. The temple was intri- cately decorated with flower and mango leaf garlands. The Ram Navami day focused on the birth of Lord Ram and not on the marriage or Kalyanotsavam. The celebration began at 8:30 in the morning with the morning Mahotsavam. This was followed by Ram Abhishekam or sacred baths dedicated to Sri Ram and the Devi, Parayan or readings of the Valmiki Ra- mayana, specifically the Bal Kand chapter. The day’s rituals involved homas or fire ritu- als, Ram Sahastranaam Puja or chanting of 1,000 names of Ram. A second reading of the Rama- yana, especially the Bal Kand, took place at 4:30 in the evening, followed by the daily Shodasa Upachara Puja at 7:00 in the evening, culminat- ing in a celebration of Sri Ram Pattabhishekam or coronation. Devotees visited the temple during this time in thousands, particularly for the concluding events, with special offerings and prasad distributed to all. The Ganesh temple every year brings the com- munity together for these celebrations of Chaitra Navaratri and Ram Navami with live music and traditional ritualistic pujas. The temple also hosts a separate, larger Sharadiya Navratri, “Sri Devi Navaratri Mahotsavam”, in the fall, featuring nightly Devi poojas and Kolu which is a traditional display of dolls and figurines arranged on stepped stage during the nine days of Navaratri. By Archana Adalja Ganesh Temple Ram Navami program poster. Banner photo on website of temple. PHOTO:ORGANIZERS