Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) of eight states commemorated Diwali, a major and 75 years of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav by lighting the World famous Empire State Building in the colors of the diya on November 4th.
The lighting ceremony was graced by Honorable Consul General Mr. Randhir Jaiswal, Deputy Consul General Dr. Varun Jeph, popular R&B singer, songwriter and music producer Jay Sean and R&B singer, model and yoga instructor Thara Natalie.
FIA Chairman Ankur Vaidya, President Elect Kenny Desai, Past President Alok Kumar and Executive members Parveen Bansal and Saurin Parikh participated in the event as well. In follow up to a spectacular dance performance by the students of Aum Dance Creations the Empire State Building ceremonial lighting was turned on together by Jay Sean, Thara Natalie and Hon. Consul General Jaiswal. H.E. Randhir Jaiswal conveyed Diwali wishes and thanked the American community for accepting and embracing diversity.
Vice President Sales of Empire State Building Patricia Niscior wished the community the world over a Happy Diwali and invited them to participate and visit the World famous Empire State Building. FIA Chairman Ankur Vaidya and President Elect Kenny Desai also conveyed the Diwali wishes to all the community addressing the media, Jay Sean and Thara conveyed their warm Diwali wishes to the community.
The annual event, which began in 2018, is organized in cooperation with the Empire State Realty Trust. Each year for the past two decades, ESRT and FIA have been lighting up the Empire State Building in August in the colors of the Indian tricolor – orange, white and green – to mark India’s Independence Day.
The FIA believes that such gestures by ESRT help in spreading the ancient Indian philosophy of ‘Vasudeva Kutumbakam’ (the world is one family) and also demonstrates a great harmony in spirit and deeds between people of the world’s largest and oldest democracies, the organization stated in a press release. Despite the challenges and changes due to the Covid-19 pandemic, FIA has not deterred from its goal of serving the community, it said.
