26 NOVEMBER 18, 2021 RIDGEWOOD TIMES WWW.QNS.COM
Queens DA hosts Diwali celebration
BY PAUL FRANGIPANE
EDITORIAL@QNS.COM
@QNS
Queens District Attorney Melinda
Katz welcomed community members
for a Diwali celebration on
Monday, Nov. 8.
The Festival of Lights’ celebration at
Gujarati Samaj Hall was moderated by
Priyata Dey, who kicked off the night
with the National Anthem by the Bhuvaneshwar
Mandir Youth Group, a
prayer and Diya lighting by religious
leaders.
Representatives from the consulates
of Nepal, Guyana and India addressed
the crowd, each speaking about the importance
of preserving culture through
generations.
Hrishika Chakraborty, a student from
George Washington University, refl ected
on Diwali, which she said reminds her
of her childhood and celebrating with
her family.
“I now realize how fortunate I have
been to have light come into my life in
its many forms,” Chakraborty said. “The
fi rst one being created by my parents
who created light when they decided to
move here to create a better life for me
and my brothers. I have experienced
light in the forms of love, trust, connection
and togetherness.”
Chakraborty said the celebration also
puts into perspective the atrocities committed
in Bangladesh.
“It feels like the light our people have
been trying to spread has been dimmed,
overtaken by evil and ignorance. I think
that’s exactly why it’s imperative we celebrate,”
she said. “Our religion is so much
more than a religion. It is a way of life
that recognizes the eternal light within
us that enables us to ward off whatever
darkness may be coming our way.”
When Katz made her speech, she
was interrupted by protesters holding
up signs and yelling for her to drop
charges on Prakash Churaman, who
awaits a trial for a murder he says he
did not commit and aft er his conviction
was overturned.
They were escorted out as Katz told the
crowd to give them a round of applause
saying, “This is what America is about.”
Katz said the celebration is about the
many immigrants who chose to make
Queens their home.
“They come here and celebrate their
religion, their backgrounds, their ethnicity,
their dress, their language and
every culture that they bring from all
over the world — that’s what this is about,”
Katz said.
Katz then referred to the Bhuvaneshwar
Mandir Youth Group who sang the
National Anthem, calling it a “remarkable
scene.”
“It’s our jobs to make sure that you
have faith in us,” Katz said. “It’s our jobs
to make sure that you know that if you’re
ever involved with the criminal justice
system, that you’ll be treated fairly and
equitably. But almost more important is
our job to make sure that this borough
remains safe and the safest the borough
can be is when no one ends up in our
criminal justice system at all.”
Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar,
the fi rst South Asian-American woman
elected to a state offi ce in New York, said
the event was the biggest Diwali celebration
she’s attended.
Rajkumar spoke about the importance
of community and teamwork. She
said she believes they can spread the
Hindu belief of non-violence across the
state and country.
The festivities culminated with musical
and dance performances from local
groups as guests ate traditional foods.
Religious leaders and local offi cials kick off a Diwali celebration with a
lighting of the Diya at the Gujarati Samaj of New York on Monday, Nov.
8, 2021. Photo by Paul Frangipane
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