HICKSVILLE, NY (TIP): India Association of Long Island (IALI) celebrated Holi at Cotillion Restaurant on Friday March 2, 2018. This Holi function was organized by the IALI’s Women’s Forum group which is chaired by Mrs. Veena Lamba, Co-Chaired by Mrs. Lalita Mansukhani and Mrs. Shalini Pawa and Committee members Ms. Rizwana Malik, Mrs Rachna Shahdadpuri and Mrs. Ravi Kanta Dutta.

Holi is the festival of Colors. It signifies the victory of good over evil, the arrival of spring with Spring Crops, end of winter, and for many a festive day to meet others, play and laugh, forget and forgive, and repair broken relationships.

The event which had an overwhelming turnout in-spite of a nasty Nor’easter winter storm – was celebrated in a very traditional style, with lots of fun and gaiety. The guests arrived dressed in traditional colorful clothing and were welcomed with Gulal Teeka, offering of Jalebies and Gunjias, followed by Thandai drink and a sumptuous buffet.

The program started by the Women’s Forum Chair Mrs. Veena Lamba introducing her team and was followed by President Mrs. Gunjan Rastogi’s speech on Holi celebration.  They together emceed the program with entertaining introductions to program with kavita and sher-o-shayari.

A wonderful cultural program was presented for this special day of festival of colors, singing of Rajasthani and Bollywood Holi songs by many renowned artists like Mrs. Anuradha Khanna, Mrs. Jyoti Gupta, Mr. Amit Malhotra and DJ Royal. A beautiful colorful traditional Ghoomar dance was performed by ‘Ghoomar Divas’ by Mrs. Neelam Modi and her team. The cultural program concluded with a special surprise Holi dance performance by current President Mrs. Gunjan Rastogi which was received with a thunderous applause. All guests enjoyed dancing to the Holi and popular songs spun by DJ Royal.