The annual Global Mela continues to be a grand celebration
Ladlee bridal wear Fashion Show participants.
(Photos: Vinod Devlia)
The 11th Global Mela attracted over 15,000 community members at the Global Mall in Norcross, Georgia on Saturday and Sunday, October 27 and 28, 2012. The mammoth Mela, which has become the largest free carnival event for the South Asian community in the Southeast, was graced by the presence of the Chief Guest, Consul General of India in Atlanta, Hon. Ajit Kumar; the City of Norcross Mayor, Bucky Johnson; Chairman at Morsberger Group and visionary redeveloper based in Lawrenceville, Emory Morsberger; the Chairman of Gandhi Foundation of USA, Subash Razdan; Atlanta hotelier and immediate past Chairman of Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) Chandrakant (CK) Patel; and Consulate staff.
After cool and composed emcee Kiran Sethi welcomed all, Shiv Mandir’s priest Pandit Gyan Prakash Upadhyay performed Lord Ganesh pooja ceremony chanting auspicious shlokas to invoke God’s blessings. Hon. Ajit Kumar, Bucky Johnson, Emory Morsberger, Subash Razdan, and CK Patel, flanked by Shiv Aggarwal, his wife Anushi, son Vishal, and daughters Aarti and Vandana, lit the diya (lamp).
Vandana Aggarwal presenting a bouquet to Hon. Ajit Kumar as Mayor Bucky Johnson looks on.
Aggarwal welcomed all and introduced the guests. Hon. Ajit Kumar said, “This is a first occasion for me to attend one of the biggest Mela in the Southeast U.S. We just inaugurated the Consulate in Atlanta. Our basic purpose is to serve you all. Today Eid is being celebrated in India. I wish Happy Eid to all. The festive season is ahead, and I would like to wish Happy Diwali, Halloween, and Christmas.”
Mayor Bucky Johnson remarked, “It is great to have you all here. You bring a lot of energy, entrepreneurship, and economic development to our area. I am honored to be part of all this. You always give me a warm welcome. I feel very much at home at Global Mall because it is a cultural, religious, and social hub of the community. It is home for learning centers, banking, shopping, tasty cuisine, social and cultural gatherings. And all under one roof! It is amazing. I wish to thank Shiv, his family, and staff for giving back to the community through this Global Mela. My best wishes to you all.”
Emory Morsberger, Shiv Aggarwal, Hon. Ajit Kumar, C.K. Patel, Bucky Johnson, Subash Razdan, Mustafa Ajmeri, Parthiv Parekh, and Veena Rao enjoy the dances of welcome.
Two dances of welcome were presented by students of Hare Rama Hare Krishna, and three students Sarika Gupta, Samaica Deshetty, and Pooja Vaidya of Nritya Natya Kala Bharati, respectively.
A section of the parking lot was festooned with balloons. Outside, near the entrance to the Mall; the children had plenty of fun and frolic on the giant inflatables run by Jumping Panda. Inside the Mall, Ashiana and Global Groceries did a brisk business serving mouthwatering pani-puri, samosas, chat, etc. Reena ice-cream was doing well, too!
Consul General Ajit Kumar with hosts, Shiv Aggarwal and his family.
Visitors were courteously greeted by the Shiv family, Global Mall staff and volunteers. Harvadan Chokshi, Mayoor Patel, and Global Mall staff manned the free raffles desk, and gave out over 200 free prizes over the weekend every hour around the clock, and on Sunday evening, Mega Prize of a flat-screen T/V and other prizes (Tickets to Mika Singh Concert, Vonage Cell Phone) donated by Global Mall, Ladlee Clothing Boutique, and Legacy Jewels, respectively.
Mela visitors enjoying the entertainment.
Global Mall and Legacy Jewels sponsored free popcorn, snowcones, cotton candy, and fun activities like face painting, balloon artistry, and arts and crafts for the kids. DJ Bobby and dholis Simba, Jassi, Jasmit, Sumeet heightened the Mela ambience with throbbing, pulsating music and latest Bollywood chartbusters! The booth vendors selling Indian apparel, jewelry, toys, arts and handicrafts, and services like travel, insurance, education, health and medicine, and nonprofits like Ekal Vidyalaya, Art of Living Foundation, Radha Madhav Society, Gaudiya Vaishnav Association, etc., remained busy dealing with the throngs of visitors.
NNKB Students in a Rajasthani folk dance.
For the cultural show, lively entertainment was provided by Hare Rama Hare Krishna, Nritya Natya Kala Bharti, and Swarnad School of Music, to name a few. The talented students of Nritya Natya Kala Bharti were the dazzling highlight of the Global Mela! The young artists danced to the Discowale Kisko while the senior group danced to a classical fusion, like Desi Boys and Criminal. The girls also performed a scintillating Rajasthani folk dance. The NNKB music students gave singing and keyboard performances. Very young artists performed on keyboard, and a vocal group wowed the audience with a medley of latest Bollywood hits. Neha and Nevin Gregory on keyboard sang Ni Sa Ga Ma, Main to kab se khadi is paar, Mere Dholna, and Apeksha Parikh sang popular hits like Thode Badmash, Silsila Ye Chahat Ka, and Ye Ishq Haye. Dr. Laxman Ramani rendered Ka Karun Sajani Aye na Balam, and Jiya Patel sang one of the latest hot favorites, Tujme Rab Dikhta Hai.
On Sunday afternoon, Drusso’s Magic House gave a riveting magic show. This was followed with something different, a jewelry show, emceed by Kiran Sethi and presented by Kiaan, where several young ladies showcased latest jewelry designs to the huge audience facing DJ Bobby’s music-stand. Finally came the pièce-de-résistance: a fashion show by Hayal of Ladlee Clothing Boutique, where beautiful models wearing the latest in bridal wear, sarees, and Indian costumes strutted with great poise, elegance, and grace. And another huge mela was enjoyed by all!
Website Bonus Feature:
Please note that the print and digital issues of this month's Khabar magazine contain a brief report of this event, whereas the website contains a more detailed report.
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