Colorful Diwali at Times Square to offer entertainment and cultural education

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Thanking various media for their tremendous support of the Diwali at Times Square event last year, Founder Neeta Bhasin of the festival announced the details of the three day program of Diwali festivities at Times Square at a curtain raiser press conference held October 9, 2024 at the Consulate General of India.

“Diwali at Time Square (is) bringing all the different ethnic Community together and we want them to see our culture our art and then share with your families and your community…,” Bhasin said.

Diwali at Times Square is considered the largest South Asian event in North America, and, according to some American Media, the biggest Diwali Festival in the world outside of India. Prime Minister Modi sends the festival a special message every year, Bhasin said.

Bhasin said the festival celebrating the diversity of India and America, has received extensive national and international media coverage.

Here Bhasin listed out the outreach that media coverage has given the Diwali at Times Square festival, making it a huge international success. This year, CBS National and CBS NYC both will be covering the event at length, she said.

Referring to the upcoming Diwali holiday in the NYC schools, Bhasin said the annual Diwali festival in Times Square is important for connecting children with the festival’s significance and for educating them about their culture, traditions, and roots.

“Our children and grandchildren are going to live here. We have to leave a good impression on them that they should feel proud of their country and their festivals,” Bhasin said.

In this connection, Bhasin thanked Assembly Member Jennifer Rajkumar for her tireless efforts to make Diwali a public school holiday.

This year, the Diwali at Times Square event will be co-sponsored by New York City, Kia from UK, the Consulate General of India, Proctor and Gamble, Northwell Health, State Bank of India, Jennifer Furnitures, and more.

Co-sponsor of the Diwali festival at Times Square, New York City Mayor’s office for International Affairs,  Deputy Commissioner Dilip Chauhan said Diwali represents light over darkness, bringing peace and happiness. Chauhan said he particularly enjoys the Annakoot the day after Diwali when offering of more than a thousand varieties of dishes are made at the temple.

Chauhan also referred to the upcoming public holiday on Diwali in schools. “Now our children will learn what is Diwali. That is the greatest thing for this year,” Chauhan said.

Besides the press conference on October 9, programs are scheduled for October 18 and 19, 2024.

A gala dinner, honor awards ceremony and a silent auction are scheduled between 6 pm and 9 pm for October 18^th, Bhasin said. The 18^th evening events will be held at Tribeca 360, NYC’s prime event venue, located in CUNY’s Hunter College MFA building.

The gala dinner, at supporter of Diwali at Times Square Tribeca 360 will feature CBS News Network hosts correspondent Shanelle Kaul.

At the dinner, the Woman of the Year award will be presented to Mrs Chandrika Tandon, a Humanitarian Grammy nominee. The Man of the Year award will be presented to CMO of Master Card Raja Rajamannar. Other honorees of the evening include Grammy award winner performer Falu Shah,

Anjula Acharia of A Series Management and Investments, Michelin starred Chef Vikas Khanna, Nepali origins fashion designer Prabal Gurung, the Shankara Foundation, and the Foundation for Excellence, and more.

A full day program of events is scheduled for October 19, 2024 at the Times Square, Bhasin informed. The day’s programs at the Times Square include a Diwali Bazar from 11 am to 5 pm, a VIP Pavilion from 2 pm to 5 pm, a Diya  lighting ceremony on stage from 5 pm to 6 pm, a Light up Times Square ceremony at 6 pm followed by individual cultural and entertainment performances by Chandrika Tandon, Priya and Pinky from India. Shannel K from California, Indo-Caribbean artist Terry Gajraj, and Chef Kunal Lamba.

October 19^th program will feature CBS Network hosts Jennifer Bisram and Shanelle Kaul and a third host flying in from the UK.

The press conference ended with a musical video commercial of the upcoming event.