IACFNJ Hosts Spectacular Summer Picnic for Community Members

HI INDIA NEWS DESK
EDISON, NJ- The Indo-American Cultural Foundation of Central Jersey (IACFNJ) recently held its annual summer picnic at Mercer County Park on July 2, 2023. The event was well-attended, with over 200 members of the local community and IACFNJ families present.

IACFNJ, a prominent community organization in Central Jersey, has gained popularity among young Indian Americans residing in South and North Brunswick, Franklin Park, Princeton, Princeton Junction, Monroe, East Brunswick, and East and West Windsor, and surrounding areas over the past 20 years. They have successfully organized various community events, including the Navratri Garba, for two decades. In addition to the summer picnic, IACFNJ also hosts celebrations for Independence Day, holiday parties, and spring festivals, fostering unity and embracing cultural diversity in the region.

The success of this year’s summer picnic can be attributed to the hard work of the organizing committee members, including Secretary Surabhi Agarwal, Joint Secretary Kirti Mehta, Joint Treasurer Dimple Patel, Youth Committee Chair Niyati Patel, and Event Chair Naina Goel, along with committee member Ira Mehta. The event featured a wide range of fun-filled activities, games, bingo, raffle prizes, live DJ music, and singing, entertaining attendees for more than six hours. Delicious food, including traditional Indian dinner, was enjoyed by all. The live ice gola, ice cream, corn, watermelon, and the performances by DJs Darshan and Musafir from Desi Experiment LLC were the highlights of the picnic. South Brunswick Councilwoman Ann Grover also attended the event to connect with the community members.

Apart from organizing cultural and educational events, IACFNJ actively supports local organizations in their humanitarian efforts and promotes education. In 2023, the organization sponsored scholarships for high school students in South and North Brunswick High Schools, recognizing their talents and academic achievements. Two scholarships were awarded in memory of IACFNJ pillars Murthy Yerramilli, a trustee, and Sunil Shah, a treasurer, who passed away in 2020 and 2021 respectively. The scholarships were presented by Darshan Shah, Sunil Shah’s son, at North Brunswick High School and by Dr. Tushar Patel, President of IACFNJ, at South Brunswick High School during their respective Senior Awards Nights. Additionally, during the earthquake in Turkey and Syria, IACFNJ supported local organizations in providing relief to those affected, demonstrating the community’s commitment to giving back.

Looking ahead, IACFNJ has planned several upcoming events. In August, they will celebrate India’s Independence Day with cultural performances and patriotic dances and songs. In October, the Navratri Garba, a grand event, will take place in South Brunswick, followed by a Diwali event in November 2023. Further details about these events will be announced in the near future. For information on IACFNJ’s future events, please visit their website at www.IACFNJ.org or contact them via email at [email protected].