Nostalgic Hindi film songs, jalebis, and lighted trees usher in Diwali at Jackson Heights  

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Thousands of people enjoyed their tea and snacks listening to old Hindi film songs on the sunny Sunday evening at 74^th Street, Jackson Heights, Diwali Mela on October 27, 2024.

Organized every year by the Jackson Heights Merchants’ Association, the Diwali Mela has become a major attraction for people from all over New York, including from Manhattan, and Brooklyn.

The historical Jackson Heights Diwali Mela used to be a major Diwali event in New York, second to the one at South Street Seaport. Acquiring the ambience of an India market street, the 74^th street would be filled with aromas of frying of hot jalebis wafting through the air and hot Samosas being carried around in bowls to avoid spilling, with tea in paper cups. Visitors also used to enjoy a sample of dishes from the menu of Jackson Diner restaurant, and buy Indian costume jewelry and other collectibles at the Butala store, before getting into the decorated Patel Brothers.

Jackson Heights has become one of the most diverse places in New York today. And so has Jackson Heights Diwali with the street now filled with stalls from both local Indian and Bangladeshi businesses.

This year, the food included many varieties including non-vegetarian dishes, especially on the food carts, along with Jalebis, Pani Puris and Chhole Puri. Beautiful kurtas (long shirts) and scarves could be purchased at the stalls along with costume jewelry. The music brought on nostalgia, with Indian Idol singer Nitin Kumar from Mumbai singing famous old Hindi songs. The beautifully songs were also enjoyed by residents in the nearby buildings. The stage events were managed by MC Bindu Kohli from the morning till the end of the day.

The Mela included other stalls from 2-3 restaurants and also from healthcare industry, including NY Life, Affinity by Molina Healthcare and Metro Plus Health. A lot of shoppers came to Patel Brothers and also enjoyed the Mela at the same time.

A tree lighting ceremony on the trees lining the street filled the street with magic, creating hallucinations of Diwali celebrations in India.

The Jackson Heights Merchants’ Association President, Shiv Das told Desi Talk that there were close to 25 stalls on the 74^th street between Roosevelt Avenue and 37^th Avenue at which a stage was created for guests of honor to address the community and for entertainment performances. Das said, “The Diwali Mela represents the diversity of Jackson Heights. Many Bangladeshi businesses now join us in the celebration,” he said. The street fair thus demonstrates the true Diwali spirit of celebrating together.

City officials including Assembly member Jennifer Rajkumar, Senator John Liu, and Council Member Shekhar Krishnan attended the event. Deputy Commissioner for NYC International Affairs Dilip Chauhan came bearing a Proclamation and a Citation from the Mayor’s Office. Addressing the gathering, he reminded people of its spirit of joy and congratulated people on Diwali becoming a school holiday. Representatives from the Queens Borough President Donovan Richards’ office also brought an official Citation for the JHMA’s Diwali.

The Mela, like every year, was organized and managed entirely by the Jackson Heights Merchants’ Association members which included President Shiv Das, Vice President Karan Verma, Directors Deepak Verma, Mahipal Singh and Kanu Chauhan from the JHMA Board, Secretary Mohinder Verma and Treasurer Virender Kanwar.