Celebration of Rajasthan Diwas and Holi at Indian Consulate in New York
NEW YORK CITY: The Rajasthan Association of North America (RANA) recently celebrated the 77th Rajasthan Diwas and Holi Sneh Milan at the Indian Consulate in New York. This event drew together members of the Rajasthani community, community leaders, and distinguished guests.
RANA President Prem Bhandari announced that the Mehta Family Trust, represented by K.K. Mehta and Chandra Mehta, has pledged an impressive $5 million towards the creation of the Indo-US Friendship Center. This initiative has been a vision of Consul General Binaya Srikanta Pradhan and aims to serve various community purposes.
K.K. Mehta, a well-known philanthropist, previously made headlines for dedicating 100 rooms at his hotel in Times Square for students in need during the COVID-19 pandemic. His charitable nature has earned him the reputation of being a dedicated philanthropist.
The Indo-US Friendship Center plans to feature a Rajasthan Bhawan, a Yoga and Ayurveda Center, as well as a Convention and Social Center for Seniors. The project’s discussions started during a previous RANA event and are expected to foster deeper connections between India and the US.
Bhandari has also called for Rajasthani language to be recognized within the Indian Constitution, promoting its inclusion as a second language in the state.
During the celebrations, the prestigious Rajasthan Ratna Awards were given to several individuals for their exceptional societal contributions. The awardees included respected figures like Dr. Samin Sharma and Dr. Narinder Kukar, who alongside their honors were named Patrons of RANA for their significant philanthropic efforts.
The event also acknowledged Nand Todi, who donated $1 million to a shelter home for the homeless in Pennsylvania. Additionally, humanitarian team members led by Mohan Nannapaneni were honored for facilitating the repatriation of mortal remains to India since 2017.
All awards and honors were presented by Chief Guest Consul General Pradhan, who was commended for keeping the New York Consulate operational throughout the year.
The celebration included lively cultural performances, featuring flower Holi festivities and dances by local women and children. RANA’s activities were warmly designed to foster a sense of community, with a vote of thanks delivered by RANA Secretary Ravi Jangarh.
This vibrant gathering not only celebrated cultural heritage but also highlighted the commitment to humanitarian efforts and community development among the Rajasthani diaspora in the United States.
