Navy Pier, Delhi committee of Chicago Sister Cities

partner for celebration of Holi Asian Media USA © Chicago IL:  First time a large metropolitan city in the United States, Chicago, celebrated the Indian festival of Holi, with over 2000 people in attendance which included live cultural programming, music and dancing, food and drink, and color throwing.  “The Delhi Committee of Chicago Sister Cities is thrilled to partner with Navy Pier for this event so that Chicagoans and visitors can participate in the celebration of Holi, a holiday that marks new life and energy,” said Smita N. Shah, Chairman of the Delhi Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International, Director on the Navy Pier Board of Directors, and CEO of SPAAN Tech, Inc. “How fitting that we can celebrate this one-of-a-kind event on our beautiful lakefront, with Mayor Lightfoot, in the city blessed by Swami Vivekananda.”  Also in attendance were Consul General Amit Kumar, Indian Community Leader Niranjan S. Shah, Pratima Shah, and ABC 7 News Reporter, Ravi Baichwal. Ravi Baichwal of ABC7 News, provided a welcome for attendees and served as the master of ceremonies. The celebration was the last of three events in the Global Connections series at Navy Pier presented by ComEd, which previously hosted events celebrating […]

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Aarush Entertainment celebrates Holi with Mannara Chopra, Actress and Model from Bollywood

Asian Media USA © Chicago IL: Festival of colors organized by Manoj Rathod (CEO of Aarush Entertainment) and UR Group was one of the biggest Holi and Indian cultural events which took place on Saturday, March 19, 2022 at Candela, 8526 W Golf Rd, Niles, IL 60714. This event touched the hearts as well as the dreams of Indian immigrants and natives simultaneously. The event was house full, enjoyed the vibrant colors, dazzling music, enthralling dances and award to Women Empowerment Icon The special guest was Mannara Chopra (Actress plus model from Bollywood and Sunil Shah Chairman, Founders of FIA. Prachi Jaitly & Bharti Desai were Master of ceremony of this event. Women Empowerment Icon awardees were Prachi Jaitly, Bharti Desai, Rita Shah, Uma Avadhuta, Usha Bhaskar, Sweety Raheja, Sonya Gupta, Rebecca Bodony and Vibha Rajput. The main highlight of the event came when participants picked up colored powder and chased each other, tossing colors into the air and covering friends and strangers alike. They joy and excitement filled the air and created a memorable experience for all.  “Today we are here to celebrate the Holi festival. The festival of colors, fun, happiness, friendship and love. May the colors spread […]

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Uttarakhand Samaj of Greater Chicago Hosts Its Traditional, Colorful, Musical Baithaki Holi !

Author: By Richa Chand  Chicago, IL, March 15, 2022 – USOGC (Uttarakhand Samaj of Greater Chicago), a 501c3 status charitable organization, hosted Kumaoni style Baithaki Holi on March 12th 2022, 12pm to 4pm at Hoffman Estates, IL, with full josh and fervor with Uttarakhandi family & friends. In Uttarakhand, there’s a unique tradition to celebrate Holi, in the Kumaon region and now the entire state has adopted this tradition of Baithaki Holi (बैठकी होली), (literally Sitting Holi), which is a form of musical gathering starting from the day of Basant Panchmi held all across Kumaon till the Dulhendi (or the last full moon day of the lunar month Phalguna). It was a  bright and beautiful day, and guests came from near and far to celebrate Holi together, dressed in their traditional pahari attire. The ladies were seen wearing ethnic clothing in white and red traditional Holi colors and men in Pahadi kurtas and topis. Beautiful colorful Holi decorations adorned the walls of the Banquet Hall. The guests were greeted and welcomed with a Holi Teeka and splash of colors. In any Baithak, gutka, raita and chai are a must, and so keeping up with the Pahadi traditional ‘Gutka’ dish (made […]

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    Press Release

Restoration of Long Duration (10 years) Regular (Paper) Tourist Visas   Consulate General of India      Chicago …     Press Release Restoration of Long Duration (10 years) Regular (Paper) Tourist Visas           The Government of India has decided to restore old valid long duration (10 years) regular (paper) tourist visas for the nationals of USA with immediate effect. Fresh issue of regular (paper) long-duration (10 years) tourist visas has also been restored for US nationals. In addition, e-Tourist visas under the three options (one month, one year and five years), which remained suspended since March 2020, shall stand restored. Applications for fresh e-tourist visas for eligible nationalities can also be made at the Indian E-Visa Portal [https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html] The current scheme of regular tourist visa/e-visa (one month stay only) on gratis basis will also continue. Foreign nationals on tourist/e-tourist visas would be permitted to enter India only through designated Sea Immigration Check Posts (ICPs) or Airport ICPs  by flights, including those under the Vande Bharat Mission or ‘air bubble’ scheme or by any flights as allowed by Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation. In no case, the foreign nationals will be allowed to enter through land border or riverine routes on Tourist visa/E-Tourist […]

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B.A.P.S Volunteers From Robbinsville, New Jersey
Help Refugees in Ukraine

REZSZOW, Poland — As a devastating humanitarian crisis unfolds in Ukraine, hundreds of thousands are fleeing the warzone seeking refuge in neighboring countries. This has included thousands of Indian nationals, mainly students, who have been left stranded amid the conflict.  Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally called BAPS to assist the government’s efforts for the safe passage of Indian nationals from Ukraine. Pujya Brahmaviharidas Swami reassured the Prime Minister: “We have also been instructed by His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj to mobilise BAPS volunteers.” Volunteers from the USA, UK, Ireland, France, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Austria and Poland swiftly sprang into action to support the emergency relief efforts on the ground. This has included setting up a mobile field kitchen in the south-eastern Polish city of Rzeszów, which has begun feeding around 1,000 hot vegetarian meals daily to refugees of all faiths and nationalities. BAPS is also arranging accommodation facilities and coordinating medical assistance and is working closely with the Indian government and local partners. Volunteers travelled from Robbinsville, NJ to Rezszow, Poland and to Budomierz, Poland, on the Ukrainian border to help distribute humanitarian supplies to and facilitate the transport of international students and others fleeing Ukraine. Darshan Patel, an attorney […]

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International Women’s Day Celebration

Ms. Surabhi Kumar, spouse of the Consul General Amit Kumar, was the Guest of Honour at the special cultural event with the theme “Break the Bias” organised by Mandi Theater to celebrate the International Women’s Day and Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. Ms. Surabhi Kumar shared her thoughts on the issue of women empowerment and equality. Ms. Kumar also handed over commendation certificates to select artists.  Consul General Kumar also addressed the gathering, inter alia, paying tribute to Pandit Birju Maharaj who had notably blurred the role of gender in Kathak performances – a documentary on him was screened at the event. A vibrant cultural programme was also organised on the occasion.

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Maneesh Media along with International University of Vedic Wellness showcased a remarkable Book Launch & Women’s Day Celebration

Asian Media USA © Chicago IL: Maneesh Media along with International University of Vedic Wellness unveiled a spectacular event to commemorate the International Women’s Day celebration and the launch of Maneesh Media’s new book, “India Calling 2022” on March 8th, 2022 at the Marriot in Hoffman Estates, IL. India Calling 2022 is a new book celebrating India’s Prime Minister, Modiji’s mother Heeraben Modi who is 102 years of age! This book also depicts the 113 magnificent foreign trips of the Indian Prime Minister Modiji and the outcome of those trips during his leadership The International Women’s Day is celebrated across the world to honor the remarkable hard work and achievements of women in every field. This extraordinary event also acknowledged women’s empowerment by honoring the significant efforts of women to make the world a better place to live in. A life of dignity is the birthright of every woman. Women’s empowerment is key to advancing the development of every country. Empowered women contribute to the health and productivity of whole families and communities and improved prospects for the next generation. Dr. Mrs. Santosh Kulshrestha Kumar – Founding Executive Director, of Metropolitan Asian Family Services, Universal Metro Asian Services, and International University […]

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TAGC Women’s Day attracts hundreds of attendees with a variety of activities and fashion competition

Asian Media USA © Chicago: Telugu Association of Greater Chicago (TAGC) the first Telugu organization in the USA, celebrated Women’s Day on March 6th,2022 at Monty’s Elegant banquets in Bensenville, IL. TAGC is devoted to the awareness and promotion of Telugu Heritage and Culture in the Midwest region headquartered in Chicago, The association was originally founded in 1971 and it  recently completed its golden jubilee celebration and entered into its 51st year. Over 350 women of Indian origin participated in this women’s day event. Program started with a devotional song by Singer Ramya and lighting the lamp by Uma Avadhuta, President of TAGC 2022, Women’s Day Chairs Sirisha Madduri, Archana Podduturi and Co chairs Ramya Nagulavancha, Ramya Kapila and Deepa Gudipally. All the other women’s Bod’s Vinitha Podduturi, Manasa Lattupalli, Neelima Cheikicharla, Prasanna Kandukuri and Madhavi Konakalla were also present. This year’s theme was Retro Style where all the ladies came out in their best retro looks. All the ladies were excited to show off their beautiful outfits and style. Anchor Sahithya Vinjamuri was an addition to enthusiasm in ladies. Speaker Deepthi Suri provided very valuable information and great insight on the benefits of Ayurveda in our daily lives. Several fun filled activities […]

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Hindi cultural and literary programme Sandarshika

As part of the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, the Consulate General of India, Chicago and the Hindi Coordination Committee (HCC), Chicago, jointly organized a Hindi cultural and literary programme Sandarshika on 5 March 2022 at Consulate premises.  Hindi academics and diaspora with interest in Hindi from Chicago, neighbouring areas and a few other states of US Midwest attended this event. The program was also live streamed through the Facebook page and the YouTube channel of the Consulate.           Consul General Amit Kumar delivered the inaugural remarks at the event.  Dr. Mithilesh Mishra from University Illinois Urbana Champaign (UIUC), Dr. Rakesh Kumar, President of International Hindi Association (IHA)-Indiana Chapter, USA, and Mr. Rakesh Malhotra, HCC Chief Coordinator also joined the event.           Consul General, in his remarks, provided a brief overview on Consulate’s activities in context of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. He said that HCC has consistently been working since 2019 to bring together Hindi volunteers, academicians and organization on a single platform and has thus enabled strengthening promotion of Hindi language across the US Midwest.  He appreciated the important contribution of International Hindi Association (IHA)-Indiana Chapter, Hindi Club of Illinois and the organizations like Hindi Gurukul, Aurora, Hindi USA-St. Louis […]

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