Hundreds enjoy Diwali hosted by Bihar Jharkhand Association of North America

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The Bihar Jharkhand Association of North America (BJANA) held its annual Diwali celebration October 16, 2022, in the ballroom of the Royal Albert’s Palace in Fords, N.J.

Organizers described it as a “spectacular” event attended by more than 600 community members from New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Delaware.

Cultural programs, including dances and songs by the children and adults, exhibitions by sponsors, important messages by the chief guest and other special guests honored at the event, delicious Indian cuisine, made it an altogether fun-filled event, a press release from BJANA said. Several exhibits at the event included   “Made in Bihar” by BIHARIKA and “Made in Jharkhand” by JHARCRAFT to promote art and handicrafts products, such as tribal ornaments, brass items, sikki works, wooden crafts, Tikuli and Madhubani paintings.

There was also a lucky draw for a diamond ring.

The Diwali issue of the “Vaishali” magazine was also inaugurated and children contributing to the magazine were awarded certificates. Kids also  participated in the Annual BJANA event where they did a bake sale, and a Jewelry sale. With a nod to tradition and nostalgia,  Gharaundas, miniature houses that kids mad,e were displayed and were the center of attraction.

“BJANA appreciates all the kid’s efforts and participation in the kid’s corner,” organizers said in the press release.

The CEO of Holtec International Dr. Krishna P. Singh, who hails from Barhiya in the Lakhisarai district in Bihar, was the chief guest. He shared his journey from Barhiya to the founding of Holtec and keys to entrepreneurial success. He also emphasized the need to move beyond caste politics and corruption in the interest of the community. He was felicitated by the Consul General of India in New York Randhir Jaiswal.

Others felicitated were the leaders of the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) for achieving two Guinness World Records for the most number of different flags flown simultaneously and the largest ensemble of the musical instrument Damru as a part of the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ celebrations in New York on August 21, 2022; Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA), Bihar representing Parbatta municipality Dr. Sanjeev Kumar. He emphasized his support to broaden cooperation from the Bihar government in strengthening business ties between companies in Bihar and USA and invited businesses in the USA to invest in Bihar.

Sripat Pandey from Tuchman Foundation, a non-profit foundation in the U.S., was also honored for support of BJANA.

The Consul General felicitated the chief and honored guests and wishes Happy Diwali to all.

BJANA President Anurag Kumar dwelt on BJANA’s current fundraising drive and its charitable activities in USA, Bihar, and Jharkhand, in his speech, and thanked sponsors, partners, BJANA founders, past presidents, and all community members who contributed to making the event a success.