May 3 :
At an event hosted by Amul The Taste of India, a prominent private sector company in India, the Gujarati Associations of North America joined forces with the Indian Consulate in New York, the Federation of Indian Associations, and NYNJCTNE to commemorate Gujarat-Maharashtra Day on May 1, 2024. This showcased a robust public-private partnership.The Albany Dhol Tasha Pathak and the Gujarati Literary Academy of North America (GLA) were also involved with the event. A number of dance acts made for a vibrant and festive evening.
The states of Gujarat and Maharashtra have used May 1 as a hallmark day to commemorate their progress since 1960. Along with that, it gives locals a chance to "reaffirm their commitment to upholding the values of linguistic diversity, regional autonomy, and cooperative federalism that are crucial to India's democratic fabric," according to an FIA press release.
Priti Patel, general secretary of the Federation of Indian Automobile Associations, began the event by describing the cultural landscapes of Maharashtra and Gujarat and reciting a popular Gujarati poem that goes something like, "Gujarat is one of Bharat's heartbeat, its the name of a fountain, and of peace and prosperity."
Pallavi Kabadi used Marathi to speak to the audience, highlighting the shared cultural heritage of the two states.
An introduction of attendees and sponsors was made by Dr. Avinash Gupta, president of the FIA. To officially welcome Binaya S. Pradhan, the Consul General of India in New York, FIA Chairman Ankur Vaidya joined him on stage and presented him with an ethnic turban, also known as a pagdi, which is usually worn by men in the Gujarat-Maharashtra region.
A moving statement was given by CG Pradhan, who highlighted the deep ties that exist between the two states and the Indian diaspora. We are commemorating the establishment of the two states today. Additionally, we are commemorating the 63 years of social and economic advancement that they have accomplished. He went on to say that the first two waves of Indian immigration to the United States were largely comprised of the Gujarati community, which is well-known for its vibrant communities everywhere it goes.
All of the sponsors and awardees were named by Vaidya during the ceremony. The winners were presented with traditional ethnic turbans and a souvenir from the Modhera Sun Temple by Consul General Pardhan, DCG Jeph, and Alok Kumar, who also offered their congratulations.Among the distinguished guests were Dr. Sudhir Parikh, a senior advisor to the FIA and a recipient of the Padma Shri, as well as Hemant Marathe, mayor of West Windsor, Falu Shah, a Grammy winner, Hamil Davnekar, Ankit Trivedi, a poet and composer from Gujarat, Jayen Mehta of Amul, the entire GANA team, Ram Gadhavi, a literary giant from Gujarat, Ashish Desai, president of the Gujarat Literary Association, and Ram Gadhavi were among the honorees. Along with the entire Amul team, Team Air India, and the Consul General of New York team, Pradhan congratulated all of the sponsors and partners.
Additional highlights of the occasion included a number of vibrant performances and talks that provoked deep contemplation. Poet Ankit Trivedi, Dr. Kenneth X. Robbins, and Dr. Maitree Sabnis delivered thought-provoking remarks, and the audience was captivated by the mesmerising performances of DanceXStudio and Nirmiti School of Dance. The history of the states, the origins of names, and other related topics were covered by Robbins and Sabnis in their Zoom presentation. On matters concerning the United States, the two lecturers have worked together.
Trivedi spoke aloud from his poetry and shared stories about his life and the community he felt so fortunate to be a part of.
During a special segment, Srujal Parikh, who is both a board member and the joint secretary of the FIA, thanked the event's sponsors and partners for their kind contributions. The American debut of Amul goods was another occasion he lauded. At the launch, Jayesh Mehta, managing director of Amul The Taste of India, took the stage to educate the audience on the history of Amul, the largest farmer-owned dairy company in the world, and its meteoric rise from its 1946 inception to its current $10 billion in yearly sales. The introduction of fresh milk in the United States, in collaboration with the Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA), further solidified the company's goal of becoming the most powerful and prominent brand globally. Up on stage were summoned Joe Dig Leo, president and CEO of the MMPA, Greg Solin, Brad Parks, and Sudeep Jain, as well as Consul General Pradhan and Deputy Consul General Dr. Varun Jeph. Remarkable citizens from Maharashtra and Gujarat were feted. A popular folk song, "Vagyo Re Dhol," was performed by Bhavisha Patel of Siddhivinayak Temple New Jersey to end the festivities.
