Hundreds attend Bihar Jharkhand Association’s Holi celebrations

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The Bihar Jharkhand Association of North America, BJANA, celebrated Holi at Royal Albert Palace in Fords, New Jersey, March 17, 2024.

Close to 600 people from the Bihar and Jharkhand diaspora attended the event, according to a press release from the organization. Attendees came from New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut, to meet friends and celebrate the coming of spring.

India’s Consul General in New York Binaya Srikanta Pradhan, was the chief guest. He thanked the BJANA team for inviting him to this major event and appreciated the work being done for the community. He also suggested how BJANA could help the Indian diaspora grow stronger and wished the crowd a very happy Holi. Deputy General Consul of India, Dr. Varun Jeph attended the event.

Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) Chairman Ankur Vaidya, as well as Dr. Gitanjali Vidyarthi, Dr. Manjula Singh, Dr. Sanjay Kumar, Dr. Keshav Prasad, and Ravindra Kumar, were honored for their outstanding contributions to community .

The Governor of Bihar Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Governor of Jharkhand C. P. Radhakrishnan, Chief Minister of Bihar   Nitish Kumar, Chief Minister of Jharkhand Champai Soren, both the Deputy Chief Ministers of Bihar Vijay Kumar Sinha and Mr. Samrat Choudhary, and Bihar Chamber of Commerce President  S. K. Patwari sent their heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to the Bihar and Jharkhand community in the United States.

A Guyanese chutney-soca artist. Terry Gajraj, who is popularly known as Guyana Baboo, performed at the event, the first time in the organization’s history. Terry delivered popular numbers, and Caribbean flavors in his performance

“It’s a part of BJANA’s global connect initiative where they not only include people from the state (Bihar and Jharkhand) but also those who left the motherland a long time ago,” BJANA said.

Bihar and Jharkhand Tourism as well as products from both the states were also promoted at the event, including art and handicraft products to display the  artistry and craftsmanship of the region.

Sanjeev Singh, the president of BJANA, addressed the audience and gave an account of BJANA’s fundraising efforts and its charitable programs.

He thanked Consul General Pradhan for coming to the event to lend it  high profile. He also thanked all the sponsors and donors to the charitable and social causes run by BJANA.

He also acknowledged the presence of FIA President Dr. Avinash Gupta, Bihar Foundation USA East Coast chairman   Alok Kumar, and BJANA’s immediate past president   Anurag Kumar, thanking the latter for his service during the last term.

BJANA will be turning 50 next year, and displayed that upcoming year through unveiling of a special logo for the golden jubilee milestone. It is organizing grand celebrations and a mega event which will be a global Bihar and Jharkhand Conclave inviting all Bihar and Jharkhand Associations and communities in North America as well as from Bihar and Jharkhand, India, organizers said in the press release.

Members of BJANA performed the Fagua (spring season) song medley during the packed event. Other enjoyable cultural performances included a teens fashion show, singing and dancing by children’s and women’s groups.

Attendees enjoyed the lucky draw, traditional holi special food and the cultural performances. Scholarship awards to meritorious students were also given by Deputy Consul General, Dr. Varun Jeph.

The event also included the launch of the Holi special issue of magazine “Vaishali”. The children who contributed to the magazine were appreciated and rewarded.