Desi Talk

www.desitalk.com – that’s all you need to know Hundreds Participate In Flushing Swaminarayan Mandir And BAPS Charities’ Walkathon M ore than 650 participants of all ages walked the annual walkathon organized Sunday, May 31, 2026, by the Flush- ing Swaminarayan Mandir under BAPS Charities, at the Kissena Park in Flushing, close to where the Mandir is located. The morning opened with a check-in call for the participants, followed by singing of the American and Indian national anthems. “We also celebrated the quarter century of the Land of the Free as its proud citizens,” said Dr. Vipul Patel, Administrator of the Outreach Committee of the Swaminarayan Mandir, to Desi Talk. Participants took part in the mandatory ten min- utes warm up exercises conducted by two Physical Therapists. The walk began soon with participants waving the American flag. Constant warnings about the open pond in the park were announced, and volunteers were placed at many spots on the walk. According to Patel, the participants were excited about the walkathon this year and had registered quickly much before the event. “For them, the walk- athon is not just a practice for a healthy lifestyle,” Pa- tel said. “It is also practicing the principle of the spirit of service which is one of the founding principles of Swaminarayan Sampradaay,” he added. Members of the Flushing Mandir raise the funds from which designated amounts go to specific local charitable organizations. Upon completing their walk, the participants were cheered and greeted by their parents and families and the invited guests. It is time for some warm-ups and instructions before theWalkathon at Kissena Park, Flushing, NY. PHOTO: Vipul Patel The special guests included Congresswoman Grace Meng, Council Member Sandra Ung, LiveO- nNY CEO Leonard Achan, LiveOnNYs Community and Government Affairs Liaison Dunesh Kaur, Flushing Hospital Medical Center (FHMC)Assistant Vice President Cathy Ferrari, FHMC Director of Nursing Maria Smilios, FHMC Director of Pediatric Emergency Medicine Dr. Gagan Gulati, NYPD Desi Society Trustee Dr. Mariam Singh, NYPD Community Affairs Officer Ares Huang, NYPD Immigrant Outreach Officer Pratik Patel, and others. In her address, Meng said she had been coming to the walkathons for over ten years, and that she commended the good work done by the Flushing Swaminarayan Mandir. She also praised LiveOnNY as a reliable source of organ procurement, and FHMC for its caring service to patients. Achan spoke about reaching the community through organizations like the Swaminarayan Man- dir, and about the good experience of working with the FHMC. Ferrari lauded the Swaminarayan Mandir for their support during the pandemic and after. Huang described in detail how the NYPD Community out- reach department works and spoke about liaising with the Swaminarayan Mandir. Other speakers spoke about the benefits of exer- cises like walking and the good work the Swamina- rayan Mandir is doing in the community. “The idea of the walkathon was given to us by our spiritual guru Pramukh Swami,” Patel said. “Pramukh Swami wanted us to blend in and give back to the local charities, and encouraged us to help other organizations including churches work- ing in the community,” he added. Annual walkathons are organized by BAPS Charities and temples beginning with the first three walkathons under Pramukh Swami’s guidance in the year 2000 in NewYork, Edison and Chicago. BAPS Charities is a 501(c) (3) registered nonprofit international charity organization committed to caring for individuals, families, and communities. It has organized over 1,000Walkathons in the last 20 years, benefiting local hospitals, children’s organiza- tions, schools, and specific causes including cancer cure and environmental causes, according to BAPS website. By a StaffWriter PHOTOS:VIPUL PATEL Waiting patiently before it is time to get ready, set and go for the Walkathon at Kissena Park, Flushing, NY. LiveOnNY CEO Leonard Achan and invited guests throwing open the Flushing Swaminarayan Mandir and BAPS Charities organized Walkathon at Kissena Park in Flushing, NY, May 31, 2026. T he Indo-American Arts Council, IAAC, has appointed business leader and philanthropist Sanat Chattopadhyay as Vice Chairman of its Board effective May 1, 2026. Chattopadhyay brings to IAAC “a distinguished record of executive leader- ship, strategic vision and deep support for Indian and Indian-American institutions and causes,” the June 4, 2026 press release said. The IAAC, is a non-profit arts organiza- tion dedicated to promoting, showcasing, and building awareness of the arts and artists whose heritage lies in the Indian subcontinent. As President of Merck Manufactur- ing, Chattopadhyay oversees global manufacturing and supply operations for pharmaceuticals, vaccines, biologics and animal health products. Over the course of his career, he has helped lead major global healthcare initiatives, including the expansion of Gardasil and the launch of KEYTRUDA, while also serving on several influential boards in the U.S. – India cor- ridor, the press release noted. “Sanat is a remarkable leader with global stature, operational depth, and an abiding commitment to giving back,” Chairman of the Indo-American Arts Council, Dr. Nirmal Mattoo, is quoted saying. He praised Chattopadhyay for his “judgment, generosity, and passion for mobilizing institutions,” qualities he said which will be of enormous value to IAAC. “With Sanat joining Rakesh Kaul in the role of Vice Chairman, IAAC will now benefit from the strength of two Vice Chairmen as we advance our cultural mission with greater leadership depth and momentum,” Mattoo added. “I am honored to join IAAC as Vice Chairman of the Board,” Chattopadhyay said. “IAAC has built an extraordinary legacy over the last twenty-six years by championing artistic excellence, cultural dialogue, and the creative spirit of the Indian diaspora. I look forward to work- ing closely with the Board and leadership team to help make a transformational difference in the organization’s next phase of growth and impact.” Board Member, Indo-American Arts Council Rajeev Kaul, said, “He has the rare combination of discipline, warmth, curiosity, and cultural engagement that makes him an exceptional fit for IAAC. His wide-ranging interests, including film and acting, give him a natural affinity with IAAC’s mission to celebrate and elevate the arts.” Chattopadhyay holds a degree in Chemical Engineering from Jadavpur University and a postgraduate degree from the Indian Institute of Management, Mumbai. In addition to his corporate leadership, he serves on the Boards of Governors of IIMMumbai, the USA-India Chamber of Commerce, and the USA-In- dia Strategic Partnership Forum. His phil- anthropic contributions have supported COVID-19 aid to India, the Ramakrishna Mission, Jadavpur University, and the Indo-American Arts Council. By a StaffWriter Indo American Arts Council Appoints Sanat Chattopadhyay Vice Chair Of Board Sanat Chattopadhyay PHOTO:COURTESY IAAC 7 CITY VIEWS June 12, 2026