Desi Talk

www.desitalk.com – that’s all you need to know 8 CITY VIEWS August 7, 2026 A s part of the celebrations for India’s Inde- pendence Day, a Special Edition of the Know India program an- nounced a Quiz Compe- tition. “Celebrate #IndiaAt80 by exploring the incred- ible story of our nation!” the website of the Indian Consulate in NewYork posted on its X.com ac- count. “Participate in the Special Independence Day Edition of the #BharatKoJaniye Quiz and test your knowl- edge of India’s heritage, culture, traditions and achievements,” the post declared. Special Indian Independence Day Know India Quiz Competition PHOTO:X.COM @INDIAINNEWYORK Flyer for Quiz competition on occasion of India’s upcoming Independence Day. By a StaffWriter O n the anniversary of legendary playback singer Mohammad Rafi’s passing, music lovers gath- ered at the ITV GOLD Auditorium for an evening dedicated to cele- brating his extraordinary musical legacy. Presented by R.K. Entertainments USA in collaboration with ITV GOLD, Tribute to the Legends of Bollywood paid special homage to Mohammad Rafi while also celebrating the timeless contributions of other iconic voices that shaped the golden era of Hindi cinema. The evening featured a carefully curated selection of evergreen classics by Mohammad Rafi, Kishore Kumar, Mukesh, Lata Mangeshkar, and Asha Bhosle, taking the audience on a nostal- gic journey through Bollywood’s most cherished melodies. Every performance reminded attendees why these legendary artists continue to inspire generations of music lovers across the world. Talented singers Pradeep, Shilpa, Aparna, Rajan, and Ramesh delivered soulful performances which were warmly received by the audience which sang along and applauded throughout the program. The live orchestra with Danny on drums, Sudeip on guitar, and Surya on keyboard complemented every perfor- mance. Emcee Shiva Mathur kept the audi- ence engaged between performances with her lively presentation, interesting anecdotes, and interaction. The concert attracted music lovers from diverse backgrounds, reflecting the universal appeal of Bollywood’s timeless music. Members of the Guyanese com- munity were among those who thor- oughly enjoyed the evening. One young attendee shared that listening to the songs reminded him of his childhood, when his parents would regularly play the music of Mohammad Rafi, Kishore Kumar, Mukesh, Lata Mangeshkar, and Asha Bhosle at home. He said the concert brought back wonderful memories and allowed him to reconnect with the music he grew up listening to. Appreciation from the audience con- tinued long after the final performance. Many attendees personally met the or- ganizers, Ilayas Quraishi and Rajan Shar- ma, to congratulate them on presenting what they described as one of the finest musical events they had attended. Several requested to be informed about future programs, expressing their eager- ness to attend upcoming concerts at the ITV GOLD Auditorium, once again reaf- firmed ITV GOLD Auditorium’s reputa- tion as a premier destination for quality cultural and musical events. A Houseful Celebration Of Bollywood’s Golden Era By a StaffWriter Scenes from the evening of Bollywood songs at ITV Gold studios in Edison, NJ. PHOTOS: ITV GOLD T he Indian Consulate in NewYork announced the launch of the “Vikshit Bharat 2047 Painting Competition” on the occasion of India’s Independence Day August 15, 2026. The Competition invites local artists, including members of the Indian diaspora, to express their vision of India’s future through original artwork. Selected entries will be displayed at the Consulate on Independence Day. The deadline for submissions is August 10, 2026. The competition is open to residents within the Consul- ate’s jurisdiction: NewYork, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Connecticut, and Ohio. Scan the QR code in the poster or visit : https://forms. gle/FFQVwDqNTY4QrzTF8 to view the competition details and submit your entry. Painting Competition On “Vision Of India’s Future” By a StaffWriter PHOTO:X.COM @INDIAINNEWYORK Flyer on Viksit Bharat Painting Competition.