The Arts4All Foundation, local elected officials, local community organizations and community members gathered together at the Unisphere at Flushing Meadows Corona Park for the first-ever Diwali and Navaratri Festival and Parade on Saturday, Oct. 5.
The event was held to mark the 60th anniversary of the World’s Fair, as well as to celebrate the rich diversity and culture of New York City and support the advancement of human rights, environmental protection and global peace.
“We are proud to see India, the world’s largest democracy, united with the United States, the world’s oldest democracy,” Shruti Pandey, Consul at the Consulate of India, New York, who supervises over political and cultural affairs, said. “For the first time ever, Diwali and Navarti are represented at the historic World’s Fair. This festival and parade highlight the unique, historic and rich culture and traditions of India.”
Among the elected officials in attendance for the festival and parade were New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams, Assembly Members Edward C. Braunstein, Catalina Cruz and Steven Raga and Assembly Member-elect Larinda Hooks.
Community organizations that were represented at the event included Sakhi For South Asian Survivors, Sri Sri Krishna Balaram Mandir, Mangal Bhavan Temple, Brahma Kumaris, Ananda Marga, New York Police Department Desi Society and Hindutva Soul of Bharat Inc. Some organizations had representatives speak on stage, others were honored during the event and more had booths providing free social and community services.
The holidays of Navaratri and Diwali both celebrate the light of knowledge, removing all forms of ignorance and despair and righteousness triumphing over injustice. They take place one month apart from each other, during the fall, starting on the new moon day.
Navarati, a nine-day holiday, is meant to symbolize pure strength in overcoming mass injustice, tyranny and darkness. Diwali celebrates the light and balance being restored to the universe. These holidays are celebrated by over 7 million Americans from different faiths, cultures, ethnicities and social backgrounds.
The parade began at sunset. It included a walking procession with diya lights lit in people’s hands and beautifully decorated deities, including Shri Ganesha, Shri Hanuman, Shri Durga and Shri Radha Krishna, being carried around by the participants, as well as a remarkable Shri Jagannath Yatra going around the Unisphere area.
The festival and parade ended with the diya lights lit aarti ceremony, in which the entire Unisphere area was illuminated with the lights and the sunset sky radiated colors of red, blue, pink, yellow, orange and purple.
“Sixty years ago, the World’s Fair in New York was held as an international exposition to promote peace through understanding, and it was a historic event that celebrated innovation in the arts, culture and sciences, which pioneered global solidarity efforts,” Arts4All Foundation Founder Dr. Sumita SenGupta said. “Now, for the first time in history, 60 years later, we are proud to host a Navaratri and Diwali Festival and Parade to inspire future generations to continue to advance global unity, human rights and world peace. Public celebrations that are inclusive to all people and commemorate important holidays are pivotal in progressing community development and advancing human rights.”
The Arts4All Foundation provided over 1,000 pure vegetarian-cooked meals, 1,000 toys, 1,000 balloons, 1,000 gold chocolate coins, rangoli artwork, yoga, books, several different family-friendly games and henna, all for free and for the over 1,000 attendees from a variety of races, cultures, ethnicities, religious and class backgrounds to enjoy.
Sri Sri Krishna Balarama Mandir and two honorees of the visionary leadership award, Pankaj Bhatara, owner of World’s Fair Marina Restaurant and Banquet, and Sachin Mody, the owner of Rajbhog Foods, each donated food for the event.
Parul Kumar, Mrs. Universe USA Elite 2024, served as the master of ceremonies for the event. Several renowned singers performed there, including Santanu Bhowmick, a rising star in the Indian music industry. Other talented musicians played Indian instruments. Dancers also performed traditional dances from the different regions in India, showcasing the rich artistic techniques of Indian music and dance and the diversity of ancient Indian art forms.
Performers there included Jyoti Gupta, Bhawna Sudhir, Vibha Mane, Rupa Gadkar, Yomesh Sharma, Gaurav Paliwal, Poonam Paliwal, Shriya Dastidar, Khasbu Alam Gautam Chopra, Seema Kaur, Subhra Goswami, Sweta Goswami, Dr. Bhawani Srinivasan, Pretty Jain, Anika Bhatia, Aradhya Sethia, Esha Misra, Dr. Jagmohan Kalra, Asha Dua, Upendra Gupta and Atul Parikh.
Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams was the recipient of the Visionary Leadership Award. He and his wife, India Sneed Williams, a human rights advocate and prominent attorney, spoke on the importance of the event.
“We are so honored to be a part of this historic celebration, and Diwali and Navaratri are holidays near and dear to our hearts,” the Williamses said. “We support the South Asian American community, and we will continue to stand in solidarity with all of you, celebrating the diversity of New York.”
New York State Comptroller DiNapoli, who has been a longstanding supporter of the South Asian American community, paid his respects to the portraits of Dr. SenGupta’s parents, late District Leader Uma SenGupta, the first South Asian American elected to New York State office, and Suprabhat SenGupta, a former diplomat and world-renowned engineer.
“I am honored to pay tribute to the legacy of the late Uma SenGupta and her husband, Mr. Suprabhat SenGupta, who were trailblazers in our community,” DiNapoli said. “Diwali and Navarti have a universal message of light overcoming darkness and good over evil, and I am proud to be here for the first-ever celebration and festival at the World’s Fair.”
Assembly Member Braunstein was also honored at the event for his visionary leadership and service.
“I am excited and honored to be here celebrating the first Diwali and Navaratri festival, and I am proud to represent Northeastern Queens, which is home to one of the largest South Asian American populations in the United States,” Braunstein said.
“I am honored to be invited to participate in the first-ever World’s Fair Diwali and Navaratri Festival, hosted by the Arts4All Foundation,” Assembly Member Catalina Cruz said. “This vibrant celebration reflects the incredible diversity and unity of our Queens community, highlighting the rich cultural traditions of our South Asian neighbors. Bringing families together through music, dance and the joy of the season, this event is a testament to the power of art in uniting us.”
Assembly Member Steven Raga, the first Filipino American elected to the New York State Assembly, and 2024 Democratic National Delegate Hersh Parekh carried Shri Hanuman during the parade.
“Across my district, Queens and the state of New York, we have such a vibrant South Asian American community, and it is celebrations like this one that are important to progressing our community and celebrating our traditions and cultures with our fellow New Yorkers,” Assembly Member Raga said. “I am proud to march in the parade and celebrate Diwali and Navaratri.”
Assembly Member-elect Larinda Hooks ended up carrying the Shri Radha Krishna deities during the parade.
“I thank Dr. Sumita SenGupta and the Arts4All Foundation for putting together a historic Diwali and Navaratri celebration for the public to enjoy,” Hooks said. “Diwali and Navaratri holidays bring hope, light and joy, and this festival continues that tradition of sharing and giving back to the community.”
“We are delighted to support and celebrate Diwali and Navaratri at the World’s Fair as one community united with people of all cultures and faiths,” United States Bank of India Assistant Vice President Balveer Singh Rathore said. “We thank Dr. Sumita SenGupta for beautifully representing the spirit and message of Navaratri and Diwali through this historic celebration.”
