LONG ISLAND, NY (TIP): The India Association of Long Island (IALI) has been partners with The Interfaith Nutrition Network (INN) in fighting hunger on Long Island for the past 23 years to help those in need across Long Island.

Mr. Peter Bheddah, started the Diwali Food Drive, all those years ago, and itquickly gained momentum. Mr. Dev Ratnam joined the INN Board, tocontinue the charitable work. IALI presidents over the years and theirExecutive committees and members all pitched in with donations offood, medications, clothes and of course money, to help those in needand want across Long Island. IALI has helped to bring food to 800,000 to hungry and homeless Long Islanders. IALI is close to reaching 1,000,000 meals very soon.

On Sunday, November 11, 2018, this year, for the Diwali food drive, IALI gave a very generous check of $17000/- to INN to continue this exemplary service. This amount was accumulated by donations by IALI members and Major sponsors  Mr. Peter Beddah, Dr. Kishore Kunchum, Mrs. Indu Chhabra and Friends and Mr. Raj & Jyoti Gandhi.

The Festive Diwali event took place at the Mary Brennan Inn, Hempstead. The program was admirably Emceed by Dr. Bhavani Srinivasan. A ceremonial lamp was lit by the dignitaries present, Mr. Tony Santino, former Supervisor Town of Hempstead, Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby, Mr and Mrs. Bheddah, Mrs. Indu Chhabra, Mr. Dev Ratnam, IALI President Gunjan Rastogi, IALI Officers and Executive Council members. Mrs. Aruna Saxena was honored for being the Chair of Diwali Food Drive for last six years.

 Young Tara Chaudhary gave a very lovely and lively dance recital and Mrs. Jyoti Gupta and Amita Karwal sang a beautiful song.

The IALI President, Mrs. Gunjan Rastogi, along with Past Presidents, Mr. Satpal Malhotra, Mrs. Indu Jaiswal, and Dr. Bhavani Srinivasan, members of the executive committee, Mr. Lalit Aery, Mr. Gobind Gupta, Mr. Vimal Goyal and the standing Chairs, Mrs. Amita Karwal, Mrs. Jyoti Gupta, Mr. Rajeev Chaudhary and Mrs. Saroj Aery and Mrs. Jaya Bahadkar were all present. A large number of IALI members were in attendance for the celebration including Mr. Ved Behl, Mr. & Mrs. Sood,  longtime supporters of Diwali Food Drive.