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www.newsindiatimes.com – that’s all you need to know News India Times (May 9, 2026 - May 15, 2026) May 15, 2026 12 Community Gujarat Maharashtra Day Celebration Highlights Role Of Two States In India’s Growth & Development I ndia’s Ambassador to the United States Vinay Mohan Kwatra, led the celebrations of Gujarat and Maha- rashtra Day, at the Indian Consulate in NewYork May 1, 2026. Among the special guests was former Union Minister Suresh Prabhu. The tenth consecutive Gujarat Maha- rashtra Day was hosted and organized by the Gujarati Associations of North Ameri- ca (GANA), in partnership with the Con- sulate General of India in NewYork and the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) NY-NJ-CT-NE. A cross-section of the Indian diaspora, dignitaries, elected officials, and performing artists made it a memorable evening of shared identity, where the overwhelming message was about how Gujarat and Maharashtra had contributed to India’s culture and economy. The formal program opened with a Ganesh Stuti. Ambassador Kwatra, in his speech, thanked attendees and commended GANA for organizing this celebration in partnership with CGI-NY, observing that events such as these serve a purpose far beyond festivity – they foster unity, preserve cultural heritage, and advance it for generations to follow. He paid rich tribute to the great sons and daughters of Gujarat and Maharashtra, reminding the audience that their legacies represent the values and spirit of the states they came from. He noted that both states together account for close to 25% of India’s total GDP, and underscored that the real India-US partnership is felt at the policy level and on the ground in the states of Gujarat and Maharashtra, where the Gu- jarati and Marathi diaspora serve as the most dynamic and living bridge between the two nations. He called upon all pres- ent to carry that torch forward and en- sure that cultural strength is transferred meaningfully to the next generation. Prabhu, former Union Cabinet Minis- ter of Commerce, Industry, and Railways, offered a wide-ranging address, draw- ing a parallel between India’s federal structure and the ancient Hindu concept of the joint family where each member holds rights over collective property, noting that stronger states like Gujarat and Maharashtra must play the role of accelerating growth for the rest of the country. He praised entrepreneurship as the defining characteristic of Gujarat, observed that Maharashtra stands as the undisputed financial capital of India, and that together these two states would lead India toward its $1 trillion economy target. Celebrities honored at the event in- cluded Indian actresses Archana Jogle- kar and Pooja Jhaveri. Mayor Hemant Marathe ofWestWindsor Township and Mayor Pulkit Desai of Parsippany-Troy Hills, New Jersey, were also felicitated, representing the growing footprint of the Indian-American community in elected office across the East Coast. GANA President Srujal Parikh re- flected on a decade of this celebration and described the programs GANA has championed. “These efforts are not just programs,” he said, adding, “They are bridges between our past and our future, between our homeland and our home here, and between generations who will carry our culture forward.” He thanked partner organizations including FIA NY-NJ-CT-NE, the Gujarati Literary Academy, and the Marathi Vishva New Jersey leadership for their decade-long solidarity, and thanked the entire GANA team for their dedication. He also shared a message from the Chief Minister of Gujarat, followed by a stirring Gujarat Maharashtra video presentation. Ankur Vaidya, Chairman of FIA NY- NJ-CT-NE and co-founder of GANA, paid tribute to the Maharashtrian commu- nity for joining the celebration for ten consecutive years, calling it a statement of how 122 diaspora communities work together. Vaidya presented the formation of Gujarat and Maharashtra as a powerful moment of unity celebrated in America, and extended greetings on the auspi- cious occasion of Vesak, the Buddhist day of celebration, reflecting his broad and inclusive worldview. FIA President Sreekanth Akkapalli praised GANA as the member organiza- tion that started the Gujarat Maharash- tra Day celebration in NewYork City a decade ago. Akkapalli underscored the extraordinary work FIA has accom- plished over its 56-year journey in bring- ing together diverse ethnic communities from across the globe, and welcomed the entire Consulate team for supporting the celebrations. Philanthropist honorees Saurin Dave and Kenny Desai were recognized for their contributions through GANA’s Phi- lanthropist initiative. Special attendees recognized and honored at the Gujarat Maharashtra Day celebrations May 1, 2026, at the Indian Consulate. Padma Shri recipient and President of GAPIO Dr. Sudhir Parikh and Suresh Prabhu, former Indian Union Minister. From left, Alok Kumar, Mrs. Akkapalli and Sreekanth Akkapalli, Haresh Shah, Ankur Vaidya, and Karishma Vaidya. Dancing Stars team performing fusion of Maharashtrian Ganapati folk forms and Gujarati Garba. PHOTOS: INDIAN CONSULATE By a StaffWriter Former Union Minister of India Suresh Prabhu, left. India’s Ambassador to the US Vinay Mohan Kwatra, right, speaking at the Gujarat Maharashtra Day celebrations.