USA
The Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) Chicago celebrated Holi at the Mall of India, Naperville, Illinois, on Sunday, April 21, 2024. According to an organization press release, over 600 attendees reveled in the festivities.
The event commenced with an electrifying performance by Maharashtra Mandal titled ‘Dhol Tasha. Mayor Scott Wehrli of Naperville joined the traditional dance, eagerly learning a few steps himself.
Guiding the proceedings were emcees Nilabh Dubey (Secretary-General) and Sanskriti Sharma.
Notable Guests
In attendance were notable guests such as Chief Guest Consul General of India, Somnath Ghosh, Mayor Wehrli, Congresswoman Michelle Mussman, Mayor of Oakbrook, Larry Herman, and Alderwoman of Aurora, Shweta Baid, alongside Advisory Board members Pinky Thakkar, Sushma Bhanot, and Dr. Bhupinder Beri.
Mayor Wehrli extolled Naperville’s recognition as a top US city to reside in and highlighted the Indian diaspora’s contributions to its development.
Mayor Herman emphasized the joy of Holi’s color application, uniting all as one family. Congresswoman Mussman praised FIA for bridging Western and Eastern cultures, showcasing unity in diversity. Alderwoman Baid commended the Indian community’s welcoming spirit, facilitating seamless integration wherever they reside.
Consul General Ghosh commended the Indian diaspora for its dynamism and economic contributions worldwide. He lauded India as a beacon of democracy, embarking on elections where 1.4 billion people will elect their representatives. Dignitaries were presented with specially crafted Holi T-shirts, courtesy of sponsors Ghoman Group (Mariott) and Naresh Shah (Rely Care Services).
Cultural Extravaganza
The cultural extravaganza, hosted by Richa Chand, featured performances by Jitendra Bulasara, Shaila Khedkar. Various dance schools including Prerna, Kabita, Trusha (Pika Munshi), Bollywood Beatz (Anita Rotiwar), and Suhani Dance Academy (Falguni Rana).
A highlight of the evening was a surprise dance performance by FIA directors Falguni Rana, Dolly Bansal, Sonika Khandelwal, Sanskriti Sharma, and Falguni Sukhadia. The Garbha singing by Jigna Pathak and Jitendra Bulsara invited guests to join in the dance, culminating in a joyous celebration of unity and culture.
