- By Arathi Cowlagi

The India Society of Worcester(ISW) and the Worcester Art Museum(WAM) celebrated the 10th annual Diwali community day, marking a decade of partnership and cultural exchange.

The festivities began with a lamp lighting ceremony led by ISW president, Dr Jagan Srinivasan, our pillars of ISW Dr Sahdev Passey & Carolyn Passey, Kent Russell, the president of the Board of trustees at WAM. This symbolized the spirit of unity and shared community that has defined this event over the years.

The cultural performances were the highlight of the day- vibrant, diverse and of exceptionally high quality. Visitors also enjoyed exploring the many activities around the museum like,

- “Learn about India” table setup by Carolyn Passey & Dr Sahdev Passey

- Engaging in friendly Chess games setup by Radhika Chintapalli

- Kandil lantern display in the Lancaster lobby handmade by Vijayendra & Rekha Cowlagi

- Diwali Storytime by Divya Muthu

- Admiring the beautiful Art Displays created by talented local artists - Susmitha Bando, Avni Chheda, Madhu Thube, Neha Ujlayan, Meenakshi Krishnamoorthy and Shrikant Savant

No celebration would be complete without great food! Visitors enjoyed the flavors of India with delicious dishes catered by Peppers Indian Cuisine of Northborough, artisanal ice cream from Tickett Ice cream and delicious Diwali sweets by Chaitrali’s Kitchen.

This milestone event that welcomed 1100 visitors to the museum, was a joyful reflection of ISW and WAM’s shared commitment to celebrating and sharing culture, coming together of community and creativity. It is indeed wonderful to see so many people from such diverse backgrounds come together to celebrate and enjoy the spirit of Diwali. Here’s to the next decade of light and celebration!

Click here to enjoy these beautiful captures of the event over the years by Troy B.Thompson Photography,

https://www.troybthompson.com/gallery-collection/India-Society-of-Worcester/C0000GY0U9VQqrBw

- By Rashi Khanna

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the ISW Diwali Cultural Show! The afternoon was vibrant and joyful, with performances ranging from Remembering Ramji to Kathak, I Am a Disco Dancer, A Girls’ Trip to Paris, and an All-Boys Singing Act, ending with a grand finale — Step into the Glow of Celebration, a festive ramp dance blending Diwali nights, Navratri beats, and October sparkle!

A big thank you to our choreographers, participants, volunteers, and vendors for making the show unforgettable. Gratitude to Arjun Thube for capturing the beautiful moments, our Bronze Sponsor Dili Darbar, and Ekta Dance Academy for their support. Special shout-out to DJ Ashok for running the event seamlessly.

It was inspiring to see more male performers and greater diversity in the performances.

Kudos to our Cultural Committee and Executive Board for their tireless efforts. Here’s to another Diwali filled with light, joy, and togetherness! 

--Kirti Nagpal

ISW Thanksgiving Food Drive

We will start collecting the donations November 1, 2025  at India center
Please come anytime to the center from 4-9 on Nov 1. 
If the center is open please come inside and there is going to be Table and a box to drop off the items If the center is closed there will be a container with a lid in the Gazebo in the back .
You can drop of your food items any time there from 11/1/25 - 11/16/25 ‎

We are striving to collect 1000 food items for donation to food pantries in our area.

Given the current economic environment with so many workers laid off without salary it’s really important that we all pitch in and help the families in need . If Each one of us can Just Bring 10 items of food —we will be able to reach the goal in no time

India CENTER
152 MAIN STREET SHREWSBURY MA

You may donate at this link also 

ITEMS NEEDED:

1. CANNED VEGETABLES AND FRUITS
2. RICE, PASTA, AND GRAINS
3. CANNED SOUPS AND BEANS
4. PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY
5. BOXED STUFFING AND MASHED POTATOES
6. COOKING OIL AND SPICES
7. BABY FOOD AND FORMULA
8. Mac and Cheese
9. Laundry detergent, bath soap, shampoo

Also, if possible, try to get flip top cans for tuna, canned meats, fruits and vegetables. Not 100 % necessary but it is important for the homeless because they don’t usually have access to a can opener.

Please make sure to check the expiry Dates on the food items before donating Should be after  December 1, 2025

- By Dr. Kirti Nagpal

We kicked off the day with some really informative sessions about Medicare. Narayan Sharma gave us a quick and easy-to-understand review of the different parts — A, B, C, and D. His talk helped simplify this confusing “alphabet soup” that many of us start navigating once we turn 65.

After that, we moved right into the Diwali celebrations with a beautiful Laxmi Ji Aarti. It set the perfect tone for the rest of the day.

Then came a delightful musical segment with Debashis Sengupta, Shubhra, and Milli, who filled the room with soft, melodious songs.

The surprise of the day was an amazing instrumental performance by Rajay Goyal, Renuka Goyal, Haren Mehta ,Jawahar Pathak, Sharat Amin, Suresh Patel, and Narayan Sharma. Their performance was absolutely brilliant and had everyone completely captivated!

Next up was the charming Diya Dance, performed by Ketki Ji, Sandhya Ji, Maneesha Ji, and Pallavi Ji—a truly perfect piece for the Diwali occasion.

We were then treated to a lively jugalbandi, with Hiren Mehta Ji on the tabla and Kirti performing a graceful Kathak. The audience loved every bit of it!

And to wrap it all up, we had a fun-filled fashion show featuring all our Humrahi members. Everyone joined in with such energy and enthusiasm—it was a joy to watch! A wonderful Katkak dance was performed by Dr. Kirti Nagpal.

All in all, it was a wonderful and successful event. Everyone enjoyed the performances, mingled with friends, and celebrated Diwali together in true festive spirit.

ISW celebrates Diwali at MA State House by invitation  from 

Asian American Pacific Islander Commission of the Commonwealth of MA.   More Photos here

--Jagan Srinivasan

ISW was proud to be represented at the Diwali Celebration at the Massachusetts State House, co-hosted by the AAPI Commission, AAPI Caucus, and BAPS. The beautifully organized event showcased how Diwali — the Festival of Lights — has been warmly embraced and celebrated throughout the Commonwealth.

The celebration was attended by dignitaries including Mr. Raghuram, Consul General of India in Boston, and Ms. Shruti Purushotam, Deputy Consul. ISW looks forward to collaborating closely with the Indian Consulate on community initiatives such as visa and passport support and future cultural projects.

At the event, AAPI recognized ISW members and volunteers Raj and Shiamin Melville for their outstanding contributions to the community and their ongoing involvement in various civic and cultural activities. A proud moment for ISW and the broader Indian community — celebrating culture, service, and unity in the heart of the State House.

--by Kelly Mittal

On October 3, 2025, the India Society of Worcester was honored to be recognized as a Partner Organization at the Asian Community Fund (ACF) Gala, held at the Westin Copley. The evening brought together over 700 Asian leaders, including members of the Asian Caucus in the Massachusetts Legislature, Governor Maura Healey, and Boston’s first Asian American Mayor, Michelle Wu. It was truly inspiring to see the incredible impact ACF, through The Boston Foundation, is making to strengthen and uplift the Asian community across Massachusetts. The event celebrated leadership, unity, and collaboration—values that ISW deeply shares. The recognition at the Gala reaffirms our commitment to building stronger partnerships and creating lasting impact through continued collaboration and engagement.

Attendees with Governor Maura Healey

- By Gitanjali Virmani

Karwa Chauth celebration at ISW was truly beautiful and devotional. The evening was filled with joy, tradition, and togetherness as married women observed the sacred fast for the long life and well-being of their husbands.

The program began with Karwa Chauth traditional puja sankalp by Pandit shivram Shama followed by Katha , traditional thali rotation and final moon sighting puja rituals.

✨ The atmosphere was vibrant with devotion, laughter, and cultural spirit.

Beautifully dressed ladies in traditional attire added grace and color to the celebration.

Special Thanks to Ekta Jain ji and Ekta Dance Academy for sponsoring Karwa queen and Mr Karwa. And many other gifts.

We thank everyone who participated and made this event so special. Special gratitude to all volunteers and organizers for their efforts in arranging the decorations, puja setup, and prasad distribution.

May Maa Parvati bless all with love, happiness, and prosperity.

- By Rajesh Khare

ISW Lights up Downtown Boston with a Grand Diwali Celebration of Music, Dance and Dhol Tasha

Boston, MA - The India Society of Worcester (ISW) brought the spirit of Diwali to downtown Boston with a huge celebration at Faneuil Hall Marketplace that drew hundreds of visitors and performers. The large-scale event transformed one of the city’s busiest public spaces into a lively showcase of Indian culture, music, and dance.

Organized in collaboration with Faneuil Hall Marketplace, the celebration featured a wide range of performances, including classical music, Bharatanatyam, and Bollywood dance. The centerpiece of the evening was the Dhol Tasha performances - first by a group of children performing publicly for the first time, followed by a full-scale segment by adults that filled the marketplace with energy and drew enthusiastic applause from the crowd.

“Diwali at Faneuil Hall was a collective effort spanning across generations, from young children to grandparents,” said Ashok Kale, the event coordinator. “The weather was perfect, and the enthusiasm of the performers and volunteers made the event memorable. The blend of classical and contemporary performances reflected the richness of our culture.”

Carolyn Passey, a longtime ISW volunteer, praised the teamwork and organization behind the celebration. “The entire evening ran so smoothly,” she said. “The energy was incredible, and you could really tell how much effort went into making it happen. The crowd was fully engaged from start to finish.”

Colorful Aakash Kandil lanterns, traditional backdrops, and cultural activity booths added to the festive atmosphere, creating a setting that resonated with both Indian American families and the broader Boston community. Many attendees described the event as a reminder of home and a meaningful celebration of shared traditions.

Organizers noted that the large turnout reflected the growing interest in Indian cultural events across the region. They also emphasized ISW’s continuing efforts to create opportunities for youth engagement and cross-cultural connection.

“The success of this year’s celebration once again demonstrates the community’s enthusiasm and the impact of shared cultural experiences,” Kale said.

The Diwali celebration at Faneuil Hall marked one of ISW’s most successful downtown events to date, reinforcing its role in promoting Indian heritage and community engagement across Massachusetts.

Photos by Mukesh Tanwani, Ashish Cowlagi, Shiamin Melville, Rajesh Khare

- By Kelly Mittal

The ISW Professionals and Entrepreneurs Network (PEN) hosted an engaging and insightful Real Estate Investment Panel, bringing together experts and community members eager to learn about building wealth through real estate.

Our panelists shared practical guidance on navigating today’s market — from evaluating investment opportunities and financing strategies to understanding rental income, property management, and tax implications. Attendees appreciated the open discussion, real-life examples, and the chance to ask questions directly to seasoned investors.

A special thank you to our panelists for generously sharing their knowledge and to all participants for making the session such an interactive and valuable experience.

-submitted by Rajay Goyal

Fun times for the Humrahee group during the last weekend of September (27th and 28th of September). We started the weekend with a beautiful karaoke session led by Nithyajith Singh ji along with singers like Manishaji, Menakshiji and some of our own Humrahee singers like Narayanji and myself. The audience of more than 80 was enthralled, they sang, clapped and danced along to the beautiful rendition of the Bollywood classics. This was followed by the usual chai samosas and then a vigorous Garba dance that involved almost all the Humrahee folks dressed in pretty folky dresses. Sharatji gave a vote of thanks to everyone.

On Sunday , the 28th we had the Spirit of Shrewsbury Parade, an annual festival of our town. The Humrahee troupe of Sharatji Renukaji , myself alongwith Balki Laxmi and Jagan decorated the float beautifully. Several other Humrahee members joined the parade, played the Garba and Dandiya enroute creating curiosity and enthusiasm in the town residents.

The weekend celebration was ISW and Humrahee at its best.  And not to forget many Humrahee members supported ISW-Saheli Walk on Sept 27, 2025 at Dean Park too, including Chair of Crisis- Kirti Nagpal