Rajasthani diaspora in New York pledges $5 million for Indo-US Friendship Centre, blending culture, community service, and philanthropy to strengthen India-US ties and heritage preservation abroad, reports Asian Lite Newsdesk
The Rajasthani diaspora in the United States has announced a landmark $5 million pledge to establish an Indo-US Friendship Centre in New York, marking a significant step towards strengthening cultural ties and community engagement among overseas Indians.
The announcement was made during celebrations of Rajasthan Diwas and Holi Sneh Milan hosted by the Rajasthan Association of North America (RANA) at the Indian Consulate in New York. The event brought together members of the diaspora for cultural performances, community initiatives, and philanthropic commitments.
The contribution comes from the Mehta Family Trust, founded by New York-based businessman KK Mehta and his wife Chandra Mehta. RANA President Prem Bhandari formally announced the pledge, describing the proposed centre as a hub that would preserve Indian heritage while serving future generations.
The planned Indo-US Friendship Centre is expected to include a Rajasthan Bhawan, a yoga and Ayurveda facility, a convention space, and a social centre for senior citizens. Organisers say the project is designed to serve as a cultural anchor for Indians living in and around New York, while also fostering greater engagement with the wider American community.
The initiative was first conceptualised by Binay K Pradhan, who highlighted the importance of maintaining cultural continuity among diaspora communities. Addressing attendees, he praised the Rajasthani community for preserving traditions and passing them on to younger generations.
The event also showcased the philanthropic legacy of the Mehta family. During the Covid-19 pandemic, KK Mehta extended support to stranded students by offering accommodation at his Times Square hotel and hosted the crew of a Vande Bharat Mission repatriation flight.
Alongside the funding announcement, RANA conferred its highest honour, the Rajasthan Ratna, on several prominent individuals for their contributions to society in both India and the United States. Among those recognised were noted cardiologist Dr Samin Sharma, Dr Narinder Kukar, Dr Raj Bansal, Ashok Sancheti, and Jugal Kishore Ladda. They were also named patrons of the organisation.
Another recipient, Nand Todi, was honoured for donating $1 million towards a shelter for the homeless in Philadelphia and for his continued support of social initiatives, including the Jaipur Foot prosthetics programme.
The gathering also highlighted ongoing community service projects, including a planned Jaipur Foot camp in Gujarat backed by BRUHUD NY Seniors. RANA leaders credited former Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla for his long-standing support of such initiatives.
In his address, Bhandari also commended the New York Consulate’s decision to remain open throughout the year to serve a large Indian population and urged other missions to adopt similar measures.
The celebrations concluded with traditional Holi festivities, cultural performances by community members, and a poetry recital, reflecting the vibrant spirit of the Rajasthani diaspora and its continued commitment to cultural preservation and philanthropy.
