Federation of Indian Association (FIA) Grand Diwali Mela Draws Thousands in Chicago Area
Chicago IL: The Federation of Indian Association Chicago (FIA) organized the biggest all day "Diwali Mela" celebration On October 1, 2017 from 11 am to 9 pm. This was an impressive Diwali Mela held for the First Time in Chicago, with multitude of activities including Live Bollywood concert with famed singer Richa Sharma, at Renaissance Convention Center, located at 1551 Thoreau Drive North, Schaumburg, IL 60173.
Program included Live concert with Richa Sharma, Lakshmi Puja, Diwali Shopping, Non Stop Entertainment, Kids Fun Activities, Fashion Show and Food Stalls, all for just $10 per person with free parking! Over 3000 people visited the celebration from Chicagoland area and the Midwest region of USA. Diwali is synonymous with shopping for new clothes, jewelry, handicrafts, and household items to name a few. Vendors showcased a variety of these items at FIA Diwali Mela from various parts of US and India for display and sale. The organizers pride themselves with showcasing an unique and artful number of items from vendors that are mostly home-based and do not have regular shops; so, the only way to buy these exclusive handpicked items are at Mela.
Performances by Bollywood celebrity Richa Sharma and local talent were the highlight of the celebration. Full day entertainment included Indian classical and folk-dance performances, ranging from Bollywood, fusion and classical performances, Bollywood karaoke singing, Garba-Raas, and DJ Music. Dances were performed by Soorya Dance School, students of Gauri Jog, Shingari School of Rhythm, Rhythms and Grace, students of Toral Chaudhary, Alokita Dhar of Jhankar Dance Group, Natraj Dance Academy and 10 Dance Performances by IAGC members.
Pratibha Jairath, Ankit Mahajan and Swapnil Shah did an excellent job as Master of Ceremony. Program started with Geetanjali Maru and Pratibha Jairath's Bollywood song performance.
Welcome Speech by Founder President Sunil Shah, President- Mukesh Shah, Founder & Past President- Onkar Sangha. Speech conveyed by chief guest Hon Consulate General Neeta Bhushan and other politician such as Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, Senator Laura Murphy, Senator Cristina Castro, Mayor William McLeod (Hoffman Estates) and IL State Rep Michelle Mussman.
Next, in his speech, Chandra Shekhar Reddy congratulated Shashi Moturu, IAGC Secretary, Mahesh, Murali, Nagaraju, Rambabu. Raja vardhan for organizing event group dance, and Praveen Reddy for displaying event posters all over Chicagoland, most likely responsible for such a big throng.
Awards Presentation was followed by Speeches by Deepak Kant Vyas, Dr Asha Oroskar & Anil Oroskar, Anil Loomba, and Brij Sharma.
Fashion Show was presented by FIA team members and local Female models from South Asian organizations.
FIA organized the Grand Diwali Mela in association with Indian Association of Greater Chicago (IAGC). The event chairman was Mr. Deepak Kant Vyas, CEO of Redberri. Chief Guest of this event was Dr. Anil Oroskar and Dr. Asha Oroskar, Chairpersons of Orochem. Guests of Honor were Anil Loomba, President of Home Mortgage Solutions, and Brij Sharma, Founder & President of PowerVolt.
"I am proud of the entire FIA Team. Thanks to Founder president Sunil Shah, president elect Neil Khot, young FIA leader Harsha Shah, Hitesh Gandhi, Gurmeet of Adbhut Entertainment, Payal Shah, Rita Singh, Ali Bhai, Aishwarya and Maru. I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to them for making Diwali Mela and Richa Sharma concert a grand success. Food was great, it was like a wedding function with all day food stalls and Buffet stations" said FIA president Mukesh Shah.
"My sincere thanks to FIA leaders for associating with IAGC team. Our hearty congratulations to Malla Reddy, IAGC president-elect and Swapna Reddy Pula, our cultural coordinator for receiving 'Best Community Leader' award from the Mayor. Congratulations to K.K Reddy of HR Pundits for Best Business Man of the Year award. Thanks to Harindar Reddy for helping from India and Deepti for her guidance. Special thanks to Manoj Singamsetti, IAGC treasurer for spending countless hours/sleepless nights to make this event a grand success. Thanks to Shashi Moturu, IAGC Secretary, Mahesh, Murali, Nagaraju, Rambabu and Raja vardhan for the finale group dance, Praveen Reddy for displaying the event posters all over Chicago" said Chandra Shekhar Reddy, President of IAGC.
Sponsors for the Mela were recognized. They were Patel Brothers, Medstar Laboratory, Wintrust community Bank, Vinak Om, Metropolitan , Darshan Dhariwal, Direct Floora, Power Voly, verandah, American Standard Circuits, Pely services, Words Money exchange, State Bank of India, Suga Builders, Best Braines, Home Mortgage Solution, ARC, Live 2 U, AAHOA, Shreeji Builders, Amul, Farmers Insurance by Onkar Sangha, Rose, Adbhut Entertainment, Premiat Pain and Spine, Power Planr Services, Maharaja, Vibha Rajput-Kings Point, Strike Ten, Lake Street Dental, Haresh Real-estate Enterprise, Sia Global Enterprise, Big Suchir, RN International and Professional Mortgage Solution
The Sufi Queen Richa Sharma is one of the best known "playback" singers in India today, "Music is in my genes," she says. "I am singing now for 26 years. Her voice was popularized in number of films until the big hit came by in the form of Taal where she sang for A.R. Rahman. I sang my first song in a movie in 1995. Richa has sung in more than 150 movies and counting. I certainly thank the organization and fabulous crowd for their response and gratification. Crowd thoroughly enjoyed a vibrant and colorful event in Chicago. Melodious music extravaganza by The Sufi Queen, Richa Sharma and her orchestra was well appreciated by the audience.
Richa Sharma entered the stage with a Bang with her most loved Sufi Style Song "Zindagi Me Kabhi Koi Aaye Na Rabba" from Bollywood's Hit Movie "Musafir". She looked stunning in her Shinny Maroon Dress with Golden prints. Accompanied by two Talented Gems Prithvi and Paras Mann (Voice of India's Finalists) and Power Packed Rocking Band straight from Bollywood, India. Richa and her Power Packed Team took the Audience of 3000+ people present at the concert in Chicago by Storm. The Audience present at the Venue and Live Social Media Broadcasted Audience loved her Energetic and Engaging Performances of huge hits such as "Maahi Ve" movie, "Kaante", "Jugni Ji" famous Punjabi Folk Song, "Laung Gawacha" famous Punjabi Folk Song, Damadam Mast Kalandar famous Folk Song and many more hits. It was hard for the audience to sit in their seats without dancing to the Hits. The entire dance floor was packed with high energy people. We witnessed the real magic happen when it was time for Richa's most favorite song from Movie "Goal", "Bilo Rani" the whole ambiance of the concert reached to the Next Level. Richa is a top-class performer, she sings from her heart and the effects are seen in the Audience, she is super engaging with very high energy, A Bollywood's Sufi Queen Richa Sharma at F.I.A Diwali Mela. She kept the audience mesmerized by her soulful rendition. She was accompanied by a talented orchestra, who complemented her perfectly. Many of her peppy numbers inspired the audience to dance and enjoy the beats. Crowd thoroughly enjoyed authentic vibrant and colorful traditional event in USA. Melodious music extravaganza by The Sufi Queen Richa Sharma and orchestra concluded the evening. Audience loved the Sold-Out Concert in Chicago.