Chicago, IL: The Bihar and Jharkhand Association of Midwest (BJUS), a nonprofit organization celebrating the culture and heritage of Bihar and Jharkhand, hosted its annual Diwali event—Deepotsav 2024—on Nov. 16, at Hinsdale Community House, IL. The evening featured speeches, cultural performances, quizzes, songs, and a sense of community, all aimed at passing on the region’s rich heritage to the next generation.
Shikha Kumari, president of BJUS, and Somnath Ghosh, Consul General of India in Chicago, lit the ceremonial diyas to commence the celebration. Kumari welcomed attendees, expressing gratitude to Ghosh for his presence and valuable insights. A key highlight was the Consul General's keynote address, where he urged attendees to embrace cultural promotion and encouraged participation in the Bharat Ko Janiye Quiz, a Government of India initiative designed for NRIs and OCIs.
Kumari also introduced her core team members Rahul Kumar, Mantosh Kumar, Yogesh Panwar, Dolly Kumari, Sweta Shiwam, Anita Pandey, Bal Krishna Deo, Roma Ranjan, Prabin Gupta, Archana Kumari and Deepak Jha.
BJUS Deepotsav 2024 showcased an array of performances spanning all age groups. The ONE MIND group set a patriotic tone with an instrumental rendition of the Indian National Anthem and "Vande Mataram." A group of toddlers sang "Achyutam Keshavam," while adults energized the crowd with Bollywood-Bhojpuri fusion dances and the Diya Dance to the Diwali-themed song "Ram Aayenge." The festivities also included Bihari bhunja, authentic Indian cuisine, a DJ party, and networking opportunities.
Kumari underscored BJUS’s pivotal role in preserving and promoting the rich culture of Bihar and Jharkhand in Chicagoland. She extended heartfelt thanks to sponsors along with other community supporters. As president, Kumari aspires to unite people, collaborate with organizations to celebrate diversity, and inspire participation in charitable and volunteer activities to create a better world.
Bihar and Jharkhand Association of Midwest (BJUS) team. / Prachi Jaitly
Throughout the year, BJUS organizes a diverse array of events that are both entertaining and educational. These events include charitable initiatives, sports events, summer picnics, and Holi celebrations. Deepotsav 2024 served as yet another example of its objective to cultivate culture, community, and joy.
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