Long Island Gala Raises Funds for Cultural Festival

A Long Island community celebrated its cultural roots and honored five local leaders while raising money for an upcoming festival that brings Indian traditions to thousands.

The India Association of Long Island hosted its annual fundraising gala on June 30, 2019, at the Marriott in Uniondale. About 270 guests gathered to support the 41-year-old nonprofit, which serves more than 2,300 members across the region.

The evening recognized five community members for their contributions: Mrs. Indu Chhabra, Dr. Vijay Rasquinha, Dr. Gopal Kishore, Mr. Jasbir Jay Singh, and Mrs. Anupam Goenka. New York State Senators Anna Kaplan and Kevin Thomas attended and presented citations to each honoree.

IALI President Lalit Aery welcomed guests and thanked his team for organizing the event. The association introduced new membership cards during the celebration, a project sponsored by local businesses including Mint Restaurant, India Visa Center, Batra Travels, and Hicksville Optical.

The Ripple Effect

The fundraiser supports more than just one event. IALI runs forums for women, seniors, kids, and youth, plus meditation and music groups that keep cultural traditions alive for multiple generations. The money raised helps fund India Fest, scheduled for September 22, 2019, at the Hyatt on Long Island.

Bollywood performer Jinal Pandya entertained guests with two dance performances and invited the audience to join her on the dance floor. The evening opened with a traditional Ganesh Vandana performed by Khushi and Jigna Oza.

This grassroots effort shows how communities preserve their heritage while building connections across generations and backgrounds.