FIA and tri-state organizations observe 9/11 anniversary

September 12, 2022

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India’s Consul General in New York speaking at the FIA and tri-state organizations’ event in Times Square to remember victims of 9/11, and protest hate crimes against the community and vandalization of Mahatma Gandhi’s statues. Photo: FIA

Several Indian American organizations in association with the Federation of Indian Associations of NY NJ CT NE held a non-religious, non-political gathering to lodge the community’s protest against the recent spate of hate crime episodes.

Community representatives also expressed concern on the recent and multiple brazen attacks on Mahatma Gandhi’s statue in New York City and other U.S. cities.

A moment of silence was observed and prayers recited to pay tribute to the victims and to the heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice to keep the nation safe on 9/11 and over 21 years since that horrific event.

Executive members of the Federation of Indian Associations NYNJCTNE, at the 9/11 commemoration at Times Square, Sept. 11, 2022, with India’s Deputy Consul General Varun Jeph. Photo: FIA

Present at the occasion were India’s Consul General in New York Randhir Jaswal, and Deputy Consul General Dr. Varun Jeph. Also present were Jaipur foot USA Chairman Prem Bhandari, FIA President Kenny Desai, FIA Chairman Ankur Vaidya and Chairman of Bihar Foundation of North America Alok Kumar among others.

Indian-Americans commemorating 9/11 victims and protesting crimes against community on Sept. 11, 2022, at Times Square, organized by FIA. Photo: FIA-NYNJCTNE

Consul General Jaiswal paid his tribute to the victims of 9/11. He also emphasized the need to renew the commitment and resolve to be vigilant against hate crimes and terrorism and to embrace peace-filled harmony and non violence which are also the preachings of India’s father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi.

Bhandari said that there is a lot to learn from the values that Mahatma Gandhi embodied and strongly condemned the recent incidents of vandalism where the Gandhi statue was desecrated and destroyed. He demanded action against the perpetrators.

Desai said there was nothing better than a peaceful march to convey the community’s protest and bring the issue to the attention of concerned authorities “as they continue to look the other way and take no major steps to address the issue,” the press release from FIA said.

Vaidya said that “as we remember and honor those who lost their lives on this day; we should work peacefully with a committed resolve to abolish extremism and hate-crime.”

Prayers and hymns were recited during the solemn affair.