Festival Highlights:

• Soul Stage: Experience live music, stand-up comedy, movement therapy, and inspiring talks from thought leaders.
• Wisdom Circle: Discover ancient Indian arts, drum circles, music therapy, and mindful workshops.
• Zen Den: Transform with breathwork, sound healing,g, and meditative practices.
• Letting the Little Souls Play: A nostalgic wonderland filled with creative activities for children.
• Oracle Oasis: Explore palm reading, tarot cards, and numerology for a deeper understanding of self.
• Bazaar of Joy: Shop from eco-conscious brands, enjoy organic treats, and support sustainable living.
• Soul Delights: Indulge in wholesome, nourishing food crafted for well-being.
• The Spirit Canvas and The Gratitude Wall: Express yourself through art and share messages of gratitude.

Dates: Saturday, 29th March 2025 and Sunday, 30th March 2025

Time: 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM on both days

Venue: Liberty Square, Phoenix Marketcity, Pune

Tickets: Available now on BookMyShow

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BENGALURU: What happens when a fashion critic meets a style icon at a grand Iftar party? Myntra’s latest campaign, ‘Jashn-e-Iftar,’ brings to life the humor and charm of Farah Khan as she faces off against the witty fashion critic Sufi Motiwala in a playful qawwali battle. The campaign blends comedy with festive fashion, reinforcing Myntra’s position as the go-to destination for premium ethnic wear, luxury gifting, and home décor this festive season.

The film takes place at an elegant Iftar gathering, where Sufi, notorious for his sharp online critiques, takes the stage to share his thoughts on fashion. While he is at it, Farah Khan steps in, challenging him with witty Qawwali-style verses of her own. The exchange turns into a lively celebration, showing that fashion is about confidence, fun, and the joy of dressing up.

Speaking on the campaign, Abhishek Gour, Director of brand and Digital Marketing, Myntra said, “At Myntra, we believe that fashion is an essential part of celebrations, and the festive season is the perfect time to express personal style with confidence. ‘Jashn-e-Iftar’ is a playful yet meaningful campaign that captures the joy of dressing up, blending humor, and festive fashion in a way that resonates with our audience. Farah Khan and Sufi Motiwala bring their signature wit and charm to this film, turning a fashion face-off into a moment of celebration. With our selection of ethnic wear, premium gifting, and home décor, we make it effortless for everyone to embrace the festive spirit in style. After all, fashion is not just about looking good, it’s about feeling great and making memories along the way.”

About the ad film: The story starts at a lavish Iftar gathering, where Sufi Motiwala in his usual critiquing style begins a qawwali performance, but Farah Khan soon arrives, ready to turn the tables. The two engage in a playful back-and-forth, with both poking fun at each other’s fashion in true Qawwali style. Eventually, the harmonium player steps in with a simple suggestion: why argue when Myntra has a wide selection to make the festive season perfect?

As the qawwali battle reaches its peak, a grand Myntra-branded phone descends onto the screen, unveiling the platform’s premium festive fashion. In a dramatic transformation, Sufi and Farah reemerge in exquisite ethnic wear from Myntra, seamlessly turning their playful feud into a vibrant celebration. The film concludes with a powerful reminder that festive fashion is about confidence, joy, and embracing one’s unique style with flair.

Speaking on the campaign, Farah Khan said, “Festivals are meant to bring people together, celebrate traditions, and, of course, look fabulous while doing it! I had an absolute blast working on this campaign because it perfectly captures the fun and joy of dressing up during festive occasions. Myntra makes it so effortless to find the perfect festive look, whether it’s for an Iftar gathering or any other celebration. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a little bit of Bollywood-style drama mixed with fashion?“

Speaking on the film, Sufi Motiwala, said, “Fashion is all about making a statement, and Myntra helps you do just that! This campaign takes my signature fashion critiques and flips them in the most entertaining way possible. The qawwali banter, the humor, and the larger-than-life celebration of style, all come together to show that fashion should be fun, expressive, and full of personality. Working with Farah Khan was an absolute adventure, and I can’t wait for the audiences to see this one!“

Ira G, Chief Creative Officer, Toaster India, said, “When we got the brief for Jashn-E-Iftar, we knew that we had the chance to create something beautiful that captures the joy of festive tradition. With Farah and Sufi on board, we wanted to get a jugalbandi of banter going between them. And when we landed on the Qawwali, we knew we had struck gold. The campaign captures the essence of proudly flaunting your heritage with the amazing curated looks that Myntra has to offer.”

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NEW YORK: On October 31st, 2024, people of Indian descent worldwide celebrated Diwali, the auspicious festival symbolizing the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness, and wisdom over ignorance. Diwali is becoming a mainstream event all over America and across the world. Diwali was celebrated at the White House, at Capitol Hill, with Governors, Mayors, and County officials. Several state governors declared the day a state holiday. New York City observed Diwali as a public school holiday. Indian Diaspora groups have been celebrating the event from October to November.

GOPIO chapters have been promoting the Diwali celebration at city, county, and state levels as well as through public institutions such as public libraries. Extending the festivities to November, the Connecticut Chapter of the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO-CT) and Stamford Mayor’s Multicultural Council celebrated Diwali, the Festival of Lights, on Sunday, Nov. 17th, 2024, at Stamford’s Ferguson Library.

The program started with a welcome by GOPIO-CT Executive Vice President Mahesh Jhangiani who reiterated GOPIO’s mission of fostering cultural exchange and ideas within the community. This was followed by the Library’s ELL, Citizenship & Cultural Programs Manager Yelena Klompus, and Ms. Ana Gallegos, Secretary of Stamford Mayor’s Multicultural Council. This is the fourth year that the Library and GOPIO-CT have partnered to organize Diwali at the library.

The event celebrated the warmth and unity of the community. Attendees gathered to experience lively and colorful performances, from dances to Hinduism myth-busters. It showcased fifteen captivating performances with a wide variety of local dance schools and Hindu organizations. As if it couldn’t get any better, a Mehendi booth was set up, inviting guests to embrace the beauty and artistry of traditional Indian designs.

About 75 children performed Indian classical, folk, and Bollywood dances. The event brought a festive atmosphere with a lot of Diwali decorations in the library. Many from the American community participated in the celebration.

Groups of dancers at the GOPIO-CT and Ferguson Library Diwali event

Groups of dancers at the GOPIO-CT and Ferguson Library Diwali event

Children who performed at the Diwali Event with event coordinators

After the performances, everyone gathered to enjoy a variety of delicious Indian dishes including crispy samosas, keeping the buzz of excitement alive as they shared food and laughter. The afternoon was interspersed with music, dance, and learning. Participants mingled with each other building cherished memories and a sense of belonging that lit up the faces and hearts of everyone present. All speakers in the beginning highlighted the importance of raising awareness of Indian culture through events like these – Ana Gallegos, Carmen Hughes, Shobhna Bhatnagar, Meera Banta, and Sonal Patel represented the Stamford Mayor’s multicultural council team.

The program was coordinated by GOPIO-CT Board Member Sonali Gannu along with Yashaswi Jhangiani and the MC was Mirat Joshi who introduced all the groups and kept the guests engaged with spirits high. He also introduced GOPIO as a non-profit non-partisan organization and acknowledged its other officials present, GOPIO Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham, GOPIO-CT Immediate Past President Ashok Nichani and Board Members Meera Banta, Totty Narang, and Anita Mathur.

GOPIO Executive VP Mahesh Jhangiani concluded the program by thanking everyone and announcing the upcoming programs of the chapter which include a seminar on December 13th – an informational session on tax and financial planning due to government changes and on December 24th – A session for high school students (juniors and seniors) to meet up with young adults who have just graduated from college and young professional to learn how to prepare for their next step(s) ahead.

Mehendi artist at work and the audience at Ferguson Library Diwali show

Over the last 19 years, GOPIO-CT, a chapter of GOPIO International has become an active and dynamic organization hosting interactive sessions with policymakers and academicians, community events, youth mentoring and networking workshops, and working with other area organizations to help create a better future. GOPIO-CT – Global Organization of People of Indian Origin – serves as a non-partisan, secular, civic, and community service organization – promoting awareness of Indian culture, customs, and contributions of people of Indian origin through community programs, forums, events, and youth activities. It seeks to strengthen partnerships and create an ongoing dialogue with local communities.

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MUMBAI: Godrej L’Affaire, a curated experiential luxury lifestyle platform by Godrej Industries Limited and Associate Companies, concluded its sixth edition with a spectacular showcase of ‘All Things Goodness’. With more than 1,500 people including several prominent personalities attending Godrej L’Affaire 2024, more than 50 brands came together to create memorable experiences.

Presented by HSBC India, the Godrej L’Affaire’s three-pronged mission of crafting hyper-immersive experiences, building a community of lifestyle enthusiasts, and weaving a robust digital safety net for all the participating brands surpassed expectations, offering attendees a truly unforgettable experience.

From the moment guests stepped through the beautiful arch gate, the essence of ‘Goodness of Lifestyle’ enveloped them, symbolizing a holistic approach to living. The event was meticulously mapped across eight zones, each representing a facet of L’Affaire – Lifestyle, Awareness, Fashion, Flavour, Artistry, Innovation, Rejuvenation, and Environment — and offered a journey of discovery and delight.

Attendees were treated to a virtual walkthrough of the event beforehand, courtesy of a distinctive microsite, providing insights into the goodness factor and a glimpse of what awaited them. The microsite, which went live 4-5 days before the event, served as a prelude to the immersive experience that awaited guests.

The evening’s highlight was an exclusive fashion show by Malaika Arora, showcasing her flagship brand – The Label Life. Marking a smashing debut for the brand’s collection on the runway, Malaika showcased Spring Summer 2024 collection centered around iconic Picnic, Party, Home, and Office looks. Attendees were also treated to an electric performance by the band – The Bartender, the brainchild of Mikey McCleary – award-winning songwriter, composer, and producer. Featuring Shalmali Kolghade, Medha Sahi, and Kaprila Keishing, their eclectic mix of music sensibilities set the tone for an evening of entertainment and enlightenment.

Thrilled with the success of Godrej L’Affaire 2024, Tanya Dubash, Executive Director and Chief Brand Officer, Godrej Industries Limited and Associate Companies, said, “The sixth edition of Godrej L’Affaire has been an exceptional journey, showcasing our commitment to crafting personalized, immersive, and authentic experiences for consumers. ‘All Things Goodness’ served as the guiding theme this year underscoring the significance of deliberate good choices and positive contributions to society. We are happy to have created an unforgettable affair that celebrates lifestyle in its truest essence and look forward to the seventh edition next year!”

Sharing his thoughts on the collaboration, Jaswinder Sodhi, Head of Customers Propositions, Digital & Marketing,  HSBC India, conveyed, “Having followed the journey of Godrej L’Affaire for quite some time, I was genuinely impressed to witness the vibrant lifestyle community come together and celebrate the essence of goodness. Our collaboration with Godrej L’Affaire perfectly aligns with HSBC India’s commitment to fostering genuine connections and trust with our customers. Through this immersive experience, we treated the attendees to a unique and enriching lifestyle encounter.”

Food enthusiasts were delighted with the unveiling of the 7th edition of the Godrej Food Trends Report (GFTR), exploring the theme of “Provenance,” shedding light on Indian cuisine and its origins, exploring the intrinsic link between ingredients, regional specialties, and traditional practices. With insights from over 190 experts, including chefs, bloggers, and food producers, GFTR 2024 sheds light on the rich tapestry of India’s culinary heritage.

The evening also witnessed the felicitation of the top 25 content creators chosen through the premier influencer hunt Godrej L’Affaire Select. This program scouted a pool of over 10,000 participants spanning 200 cities, towns, and villages across India. Mentored by internet sensation Ranveer Allahbadia, popularly known as Beer Biceps, the winners were honored and welcomed into the exclusive Godrej L’Affaire Select creators’ group.

For the soirée, the other experience partners were MyGlamm, Freedom Tree, Cinthol, Godrej Magic, Goodknight, HIT, Godrej Expert, Godrej Professional, Park Avenue Perfumes, Kama Sutra, Godrej Combine, Godrej Rashinban, Godrej Oil Palm (Samadhan), Godrej aer, The Woman’s Company, Godrej Capital and Godrej Properties.

Godrej Jersey, Dubai Energy Drink, and Cancro were the Hydration Partners while the Gourmet Partners were Godrej Yummiez, Baskin Robbins, Godrej Real Good Chicken, SMOOR, Elior, Thaiji Gold, Bombay Island, Ishaara, Eight. Carlsberg Smooth Soda was the Celebration Partner for Godrej L’Affaire 2024.

Taj The Trees was the Hospitality Partner; Uber India was the Exclusive Mobility Partner and Skrap was the Zero Waste Partner.

The Bartender was the Entertainment Partner for the evening and the Communication Partners were Communicate India, Agency09, MSL, and Mondial Communications.

The Outreach Partners were Monk-E, Shilpa Chawla, Urban Eye, Woodpecker Media, 11 Eleven Communications, Sara Khan, and Smalltown Dreams Entertainment.

Sparkle Gift Card was the Goodness Partner for the soirée while &media was the Content Partner.

With Woot Luxe being the Event Partner, 94.3 Radio One was the Radio Partner and Bright Outdoor Media Ltd was the OOH Partner for Godrej L’Affaire 2024.

As Godrej L’Affaire’24 concludes, the momentum generated, and the meaningful connections forged testify to its enduring impact. Godrej Industries Limited and Associate Companies remain committed to nurturing emerging talent, fostering meaningful conversations, and redefining the future of lifestyle, beauty, travel, wellness, fashion, and food.

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On October 28, 2023, the IACOAB organized the 9th Annual Diwali celebration at Waubonsie Valley High School in Aurora, IL. The event has grown in significance, transcending cultural boundaries and uniting the community in a radiant display of togetherness. Supported wholeheartedly by Mayor Richard Irvin’s office of the City of Aurora and local volunteers, this event has reached new heights.

The festivities commenced with a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony, a symbol of hope and new beginnings. The Chairman of the Board, Sunil Patel, credited the event’s success to the unwavering support of his board members, volunteers, and the Mayor’s office. Mayor Richard Irvin officially proclaimed Diwali, a festival of lights, as a day of tolerance, compassion, and the triumph of good over evil.

The highlight of the event was the outstanding cultural program, which brought together Indian dancers and performers for a night of sensational entertainment. While the majority of the audience was of Indian descent, the event warmly welcomed people from all backgrounds who appreciated the vibrant Bollywood dances and delicious Indian food that was served.

The City of Aurora Diwali celebration is a community event that has brought together local participants to learn about the services provided by small businesses and local non-profit organizations. The participation of non-profit organizations such as Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh USA, ISKON, Indian Nurses Education and Welfare Fund, and Adhyatmik Vishwavidyalaya has helped to raise awareness of Indian culture and the community efforts to preserve their traditions and culture.

The event saw great involvement from different vendors who offered unique merchandise not readily available in local shops, along with a wide array of delectable food options. Vice Chair Nadia Kanhai expressed her sincere gratitude to the local participants, stating that the event would not have been a success without their presence. She also extended an invitation to sponsors and merchants to join the event again next year.

As the radiant lights of Diwali continue to shine brightly in Aurora, they remind us of the enduring power of community and the timeless significance of this beautiful festival. The future of the Diwali celebration in Aurora looks even brighter, casting a warm and welcoming glow over all who attend.

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The new AV released under the campaign showcases the brand’s commitment to helping its customers achieve their financial aspirations by supporting them in making their loved ones’ dreams a reality during this Diwali. The AV is live across digital platforms, including Home Credit India’s social channels such as Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter), YouTube, and LinkedIn.

The campaign emphasizes that Home Credit India is not just a financial services provider but a partner in fulfilling its customers’ aspirations. The company’s extensive presence, superlative consumer experience, state-of-the-art digital assets, and financial literacy initiatives strive to be the beacon of responsible lending in India.

Over the past decade, Home Credit India has established a robust brand presence in the country, currently serving customers in more than 625 cities. With a vast network of 53,000 points of sale (PoS) and a steadily growing customer base of 16 million, Home Credit India has solidified its position as a responsible consumer lender. Furthermore, Home Credit India has actively engaged with over 3 million individuals through its financial literacy campaign, “Paise Ki Paathshala.”

The campaign embodies essential values such as optimism, progress, trustworthiness, transparency, and the role of an enabler, making Home Credit India the preferred choice for consumer durable loans. The company is committed to driving credit penetration and financial inclusion by offering wide financial solutions that are simple, transparent, and accessible to all.

Home Credit India’s #KhushiyonKaShubharambh campaign is about sharing its bond with each of its customers as a financial catalyst, making access to financial services easier and empowering customers for a brighter future

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The campaign invites people from all over the country to come forward and donate packaging waste, paper bags, and old newspapers, among other things. The highlight of the campaign is the Diwali installations at most of their malls, which are made mostly from recycled paper and corrugated sheets. The installations will be a visual representation of one of India’s most iconic monuments, such as India Gate, Hawa Mahal, Lotus Temple, etc.

Nexus Westend Mall and Nexus Pavillion will feature Shanivarwada and Huge Hawa Mahal setup, respectively, redefining the spirit of celebration by choosing sustainability, diversity, and togetherness above everything else. The malls have also announced assured prizes for customers who shop above Rs 5000 from October 15 onwards.

This unique initiative is not only restricted to promoting an eco-friendly environment but will also embody the spirit of Indian heritage and diverse culture. Crafted entirely from recyclable corrugated cardboard, each of these installations will be both a testament and a reminder of the positive impact achievable through collective environmental responsibility.

Nexus Malls’ sustainable festive campaign for Diwali celebrations is a step towards promoting eco-friendly choices and encouraging collective environmental responsibility. The malls’ Diwali installations made mostly from recycled paper and corrugated sheets represent India’s iconic monuments, embodying the spirit of Indian heritage and diverse culture. Customers who shop above Rs 5000 from October 15 onwards will be eligible for assured prizes.

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PUNE: Capt. Shivrampant Damle established Maharashtriya Mandal in 1924 with a focus on empowering youth to embrace physical fitness and train them towards enlisting in the defense forces. This year, the Maharashtriya Mandal will begin its centenary year celebration on the auspicious occasion of Dussehra on 24 October 2023.

In the coming year, a number of events have been planned and the details of these were shared today at a Press Conference organized in the city. The conference was addressed by Air Marshal Bhushan Gokhale (Retd.) – President of Maharashtriya Mandal, in the presence of Avinash Ghatpande – Chairman of Maharashtriya Mandal, Rohan Damle – General Secretary of Maharashtriya Mandal and Neha Damle – Education Director of Maharashtriya Mandal. Maharashtriya Mandal’s new logo was also unveiled during the Press Conference.

What started as an institution focused on physical fitness and wellness has over the last 100 years expanded its vision to include the setting up of schools and colleges.

Speaking at the Press Conference, Air Marshal Bhushan Gokhale (Retd.) said, “India has a rich tradition of games like Malkhamb, Kabaddi, Kho-Kho and Yoga. Today there aren’t many options available for children to learn and play these games and for this, we at Maharashtriya Mandal are coming up with a Centre of Excellence. The Centre will focus on research for all these games along with providing the best in class coaching and state-of-the-art indoor facilities.”

Our aim is to achieve the status of a Sports University and we have begun our groundwork for the same. Along with the Centre of Excellence, we are also looking at creating a Sports Science Centre and a High-Performance Centre to work at producing international-level athletes. These centers will offer students guidance in nutrition, strength training, sports therapy, sports science, biomechanics, sports psychology, and so on. We will also be setting up a theoretical curriculum for these subjects for students to study. Currently, our institution offers a commerce degree. However, in the near future, we will look at providing a BBA degree too.” He added further.

Speaking about starting the 100th-year celebrations, Rohan Damle, General Secretary of Maharashtriya Madal said, “The centenary year celebration will begin with a unique procession on Tilak Road on 24 October (Dussehra) at 7.30 am. The procession will begin from our Tilak Road campus, go up to Abhinav Chowk, and conclude at our Mukund Nagar campus. The procession will include various demonstrations by our students on Malkhamb, Lezim, Yoga, and Lathi-Kathi. The other attraction during the procession will be the street play on de-addiction put together by our students. Along with the students, all teachers, and management members will participate in the procession. Apart from the procession, we are also excited about the event prior to it. At 5 am there will be a special program of ‘Zor’, an Indian-style dip and push-up. We have received 150+ registrations for this and there will be a special award for the one who performs 1000 non-stop push-ups.”

“As a part of the centenary year celebration, we will be undertaking several activities. They include national and international symposiums on the Indian traditional games and a grand conference on Yoga. In addition, grandiose demonstrations of the conventional games of Asia are being planned, wherein troops hailing from different Asian countries will present the same. Re-connecting with the original objective of the institution, we are also looking at developing a system to train our youth for defense enlistments.” He further added.

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The lamp is known as ‘Deepak’, ‘Jyot’ or ‘Jyoti’ which represents Agni (fire element). ‘Divine Light’ symbolizes abundance, prosperity, wealth, and knowledge. The lighting of an oil lamp is regarded as bowing down to knowledge. The significance of oil lamp lighting is to remove darkness, ignorance, and unhappiness, spreading the Almighty’s grace and divinity by seeking blessings.

India Day celebration at IndiaFest Wisconsin 2023 was graced by State Senator Dan Knodl, State Representative Paul Melotik, Waukesha County Supervisor Jacob LaFontain, Menomonee Falls Village President Jeremy Waltz, and Chair of Republican Party Congressional District 4 Bob Spindell. Presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, Governor of Wisconsin Tony Evers, Mayor of Milwaukee Cavalier Johnson, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, US Senator Ron Johnson, State Senator Chris Larson, Consul General of India (Midwest) Somnath Ghosh, Honorary Consul General of Bangladesh Monir Choudhury, Honorary Consul General of Nepal Marvin A. Brustin and Brookfield Mayor Steven Ponto were among the invitees. Both the country’s flags India and the United States were highlighted throughout the celebration, signifying the strong India-US relationship, denoting the largest and oldest democracy in the world with love and respect. 

Several organizations, including Wisdom Infotech, Trayix, Codeworks, Airport Animal Hospital, West Allis Veterinary Clinic, Elite Bar & Grill, Chicago Association of Rajasthanis in America, Sri Gayethri Foods, Pro-life Wisconsin, Planned Parenthood, Asian American Store Owners Association, supported and contributed to India Day celebration at IndiaFest Wisconsin 2023. Vendors included Chic Sari from Green Bay, Kumar Juice Catering Service from Chicago, Labourers of Christ from Michigan, and restaurants and clothing businesses from the broader Milwaukee and Waukesha region. IndiaFest Wisconsin was adorned with Mehendi (henna), threading, sari, kurti shopping, bounce house for children, etc. IndiaFest Wisconsin is blessed to have a few individual donors as well. 

Although the entire setup done by volunteers got ruined by heavy rain and wind the previous night and all things got soaked, we believe perhaps Bhagwan Shiva protected us and blessed the celebration from up above. The entire celebration on Saturday had no drop of rain and everyone had a great time learning about Indian culture. Help from above was noticed.

Officially, August 15th, 2023 was proclaimed as INDIA DAY in Wisconsin by Governor Tony Evers, in Milwaukee County by County Executive David Crowley, and in Waukesha County by County Executive Paul Farrow. Proclamations attached. 

Governor of Wisconsin Tony Evers proclaimed, “In addition to commemorating India’s independence, India Day provides an opportunity for all Wisconsinites to learn about Indian culture and its incredible diversity of language, region, and religion and to strengthen the bonds between the Indian community and others.” 

U.S. Senator Ron Johnson congratulated and stated, “Congratulations on the 11th year of IndiaFest Wisconsin as well as the 77th Independence Day of India! Your dedication and efforts to bring visibility to the Indian Community of Wisconsin are to be commended. Thank you for your commitment to educating the greater Wisconsin community about the rich culture, traditions, and heritage of India.” 

Senator Dan Knodl applauded the efforts of Spindle India, Inc., by stating “I applaud founder Purnima Nath, IndiaFest Wisconsin, and the organization Spindle India, Inc., for their tremendous community service over the past decade in strengthening the India-US relationship and bringing visibility to Indian culture and heritage in Wisconsin.”

Since 2018, Spindle India, Inc., worked tirelessly with the Governor of Wisconsin’s office to obtain a proclamation for India Day in Wisconsin. We thank former governor Scott Walker and current Governor Tony Evers for their support and acknowledgment. 

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley proclaimed, “Milwaukee County recognizes IndiaFest Wisconsin and Spindle India, Inc., for their invaluable contribution of community service to Milwaukee County and joins all Wisconsinites in celebrating and appreciating India Day, Indian Culture, and the Indian community in Milwaukee County.” Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow proclaimed, “acknowledging the contribution of Spindle India, Inc., towards bringing communities together and bringing visibility of Indian community, culture, heritage, history and civilization.” 

Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow proclaimed, “acknowledging the contribution of Spindle India, Inc., towards bringing communities together and bringing visibility of Indian community, culture, heritage, history and civilization”.

Honorary Consul General of Nepal Marvin A. Brustin congratulated Spindle India, Inc. for the celebration of India and bringing communities together. Mr. Brustin stated, “As many of you know, India and Nepal share an open border and many common traditions. In my capacity of Honorary Consul General, I have had the privilege of learning more about both these ancient and remarkable cultures, and hope that the spirit of openness and cooperation we often see between them will be present here in the US as well, allowing us to continue to work together for our respective countries mutual benefit.”

Mayor of Brookfield Steven Ponto applauded the Indian community for placing emphasis on education and also congratulated Spindle India, Inc. for its volunteering initiative.

“Spindle India, Inc., is an ultra-small volunteer-run nonprofit organization run in borrowed garage space with big dreams and goals. Since 2013, Spindle India, Inc., strived hard to bring communities together regardless of the challenges of resources and funding, without cutting any corners. I am grateful to the universe for allowing me to be the custodian of this organization and her vision.”, stated Purnima Nath, Founder of Spindle India, Inc.

IndiaFest Wisconsin showcased ancient Indic culture, heritage, and civilization through demonstrations of traditional clothing, music, dance, food, displays, decor, explanations, and art forms. Many local talents from across the broader Milwaukee, Waukesha, and Racine areas displayed art forms through music and dance. Kathak Dancer Natalia Armacanqui of Kallpa House of Spirit Dances from Madison and students from Milwaukee’s Aparna’s Dance Studio performed traditional, devotional, classical (Bharatnatyam) and contemporary dance forms. Mahijit Virdi, Abhijit Virdi, Manoj Tripathi from greater Milwaukee and Racine counties, and Special guest Dr. Neelima Sharma from India renditioned Bollywood’s old and contemporary music numbers. For the first time, IndiaFest Wisconsin illustrated a unique experience of the Folk Fusion of Indian and South American (Ecuadorian) Instruments by Victor Murillo from Ecuador, Indrajit Banerjee from India on Sitar, an eons-old Indian stringed instrument, and Jason McKinsey on Drums and tabla from Texas. Contemporary Bollywood music was performed by the Bollywood Orchestra of Archana Gauswami and Ajay Patel from India. IndiaFest Wisconsin was enriched by performers from various countries, including India, Nepal, America, Ecuador, and so on. 

IndiaFest Wisconsin showcased the culture, history, and heritage of India’s ancient Indic civilization through art forms, food, music, dance, and decor Ancient Indic culture is promoted through displays of traditional clothing, explanations, and displays of arts. First-time IndiaFest Wisconsin showcased Folk Fusion of Indian and South American (Ecuadorian) Instruments by Victor Murillo, Indrajit Banerjee (Sitar, an eons-old Indian stringed instrument) and Jason McKinsey (Drums and tabla). Contemporary Bollywood music was performed by the Orchestra from India.

A few volunteers were kind enough to lend a few hands during their busy schedule to bring this festival to the land of Wisconsin are MaryJo Thompson, Gerald Knoch, Jenn Dedrick, Shubhra Prasad, Bharat Prasad, Ashita Verma, Jayanti Roy, Arnab Bag and Aparna Bag. These volunteers are not paid for whatever time and energy they dedicate to the cause of promoting Indian culture, heritage, and civilization through IndiaFest. Without the help of their time and energy IndiaFest Wisconsin would not have been possible.

IndiaFest Wisconsin is an opportunity to get a glimpse of the warmth, breadth, and depth of India, launched by Spindle India, Inc., a nonprofit organization, founded by Purnima Nath. IndiaFest Wisconsin is an inclusive platform that transcends religion, region, language, culture, community, borders, and political bias to promote true diversity, equality, and the value of inclusion and coexistence, which is a fundamental principle of the ancient Hindu culture of India (Bharat = Hindustan).

Founder and Chairwoman of Spindle India, Inc., Ms. Purnima Nath, who serves as volunteer President and produces IndiaFest Wisconsin to promote Indian culture and heritage says, “In America, people do not know much about Indian culture beyond a few popular food items such as curry, samosa, or naan. We are more than that. Inventions, discoveries, ideologies, acceptance, tolerance, oldest-living surviving ancient civilization which has not been accepted by the world yet. Sadly, there are many misconceptions about India, the Indian community, and the ancient Indic civilization in the United States. Through such avenues and platforms, we can break barriers of cultural differences and communicate about the oldest living-surviving Indian civilization through education and learning, and connecting with a broader community that fosters understanding. We hope this opens up the possibility of opening doors to potential wider acceptance of our community and incredible culture.”

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