International Music and Cultural Festival on March 12, 2023 in Flushing, New York

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Ananda Marga organized an International Music and Cultural Festival on March 12, 2023, at the Community Hall Auditorium in Flushing, NY. 

An excellent program was conducted with the help of local Ananda Marga community members, headed by General Bhukti Pradhan, Naveen Joshi, and Acarya Abhiramananda Avadhuta, Sectorial Secretary of Ananda Marga in New York Sector and Ac. Kovid Brc., Regional Secretary. 

The program was based on devotional songs and international varieties of every culture – Russian, American, Asian, Chinese, Brazilian, Indian, and others. More than fifty artists performed music and dance. Those artists and singers created a very devotional and positive environment. Three groups presented their performance – the Shriniketan group, headed by Misses Purnima Desai, the Desai Band, directed by Malotra; and the international artists organized by RAWA New York, led by Acarya Iishvarakrsnananda Avt. 

Mr. Piyush Patel with brother Timir and Ac. Abhiramananda Avt. (Sectorial Secretary)

The chief guest of the program was Mr. Piyush Patel. He is a well-known community leader, philanthropist, and charitable social worker. Another chief guest was Mr. Naveen Shah. He is the executive director of Navika. Guest of honor was Shrimati Basundara and Shrimati Purnima Desai. Also, Ankur B. Vaidya, chairman of the Federation of India Asociation of (FIA), appreciated the work of Ananda Marga. 

More than 40 organizations attended the program. Several community leaders from New York, New Jersey, and Long Island participated in the program. The New York State representative, Mr. Lee, a senator, was also in the program. Two counties gave their appreciation by providing a citation to Ananda Marga, the Nassau County and District of Queens, from the Assembly Office. The Nassau County representative, Owen Naqui, Queens County representative, Dr. Sheetal Desai, and Mr. Deelip Chauhan also attended the program. Everybody appreciated the work of Ananda Marga. All the honorable guests were appreciated by giving a token of love and appreciation for contributing to Ananda Marga and for the memory and were given a certificate of appreciation and a kind word.

Acarya Diiptimanananda Avadhuta presented the projects of Ananda Marga in the New York Sector and started the program by singing a Prabhata Samgiita Song No. 4279, Tvamasi Sarvesham Pita by the founder of Ananda Marga, Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji. Brother Timir Prabhakar presented the new project of Ananda Kalpataru in Connecticut that Ananda Marga plans to build in the future, including a meditation and wellness center. The prominent artists widely performed colorful music, dance, and singing programs. Everybody enjoyed the program. After the program, a delicious vegetarian dinner was served to all the participants and artists. 

The participants came from New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Boston, Charlotte, Long Island, and other places in the US. Brother Naveen Shah encouraged the audience to support Ananda Marga’s meditation center and learn and practice meditation. Mr. Patel also encouraged all the volunteers of Ananda Marga for their great work. His support is always with Ananda Marga. Brother Aravinda Bohra from the Shanti fund in New York also encouraged and appreciated the program. Mr. Indrajiit Saluja, Mrs. Indu Jaysaval, Balbeer Singh Pahwa (from Guru Nanak Darbar Gurudwara in Hicksville), and Sunder Luhra from the Asa Mai Temple encouraged the audience to help the Ananda Marga community for service and the new project. 

Dr. Vasundhara Kalasapudi expressed her gratitude to Ananda Marga. 

Ananda Marga in New York Sector committee members. The program director, Mohan, and Ac. Dhruva, corporate secretary, Timir Prabhakar, and his wife Shefali, Ac. Diiptimanananda Avt. and Ac. Kovid Brc. were appreciated for their contributions and recognized. I like to record this note for future generations that Ananda Marga conducted the first major program on March 12, 2023. It was very successful and well attended. We appreciate all the community leaders that attended this program.