Category Archives: Bollywood

Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa: Born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley, Gilberto Hinojosa attended public schools and was the first in his family to graduate from college. He received his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center. Returning to Texas, he became the managing attorney for the Brownsville office of Texas Rural Legal Aid.

Governor Ann Richards appointed Gilberto to the Texas Board of Criminal Justice, overseeing the Texas prison and parole system. He has served his fellow Texans as a county, district court, and court of appeals judge in both appointed and elected capacities. Gilberto is currently in private practice in Brownsville. Since 2012, Gilberto has served as the chair of the Texas Democratic Party.

Today, we discuss with  Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa about the start of early voting in the March 5th Primary and measures that Texas Democrats have taken to recruit and assist candidates, increase turnout, and support Texas voters. In case you missed it earlier, do listen- in to this conversation, on our Show, on 3rd and 4th March on MeraSangeet Gold at 2:00 PM EST and on MeraSangeet USA at 5:00 PM – EST

Sunayana Kachroo has written for various award-winning movies, which have been screened at many prestigious film festivals like Cannes, MAMI and Austin Film Festival.

Sunayana expresses herself through diverse styles of writing in English, Hindi and Kashmiri language. She continues to explore various themes ranging from Love, Home, Loss, Nature, Mythology, Healing, Women’s empowerment, Prejudices and much more.

She has performed across the world through Poetry shows and recitations. Sunayana engages the audience with her unique style of expressing poems as compelling visual images, laced with observations and anecdotes.

On our show today, she talks about the Memorial Concert at Zankel Hall, Carnegie Hall, on 2nd March 2024, in honor of Ustad Vilayat Khan’s 20th Anniversary, which is being presented by Sneh Arts.

Do listen- in to this conversation, on our Show, Saat Samundar Paar, on MeraSangeet Gold, today – 22nd February, at 9:00AM,1:00 PM,5:00 PM and 9:00 PM – EST. You can also catch the interview on MeraSangeet East at 11:00 AM and 6:00 PM – EST

A direct descendant and proponent of one of the most treasured lineages of eastern classical music, sitarist Hidayat Husain Khan is the youngest son of the legendary Ustad Vilayat Khan, globally acclaimed as the greatest of all sitarists,

Hidayat Husain Khan harbors a rare, creative brilliance that effortlessly takes him across all genres and nuances of music. An exquisite sitar player and vocalist well-versed in the ‘Gayaki ang’.

Hidayat Husain Khan has lent his versatility in several film score compositions and has performed in numerous classical and fusion concerts, independently and in collaboration with such illustrious musical names as, Ndugu Chancler, Ronnie Woods, Alicia Keys, Usher, Zakir Hussain, Pete Townshend, Will.I.Am, Jay Z and Darryl Jones.

Today, we take a journey back to his childhood days, of first picking up the sitar to mastering it, and much more about Indian Classical Music. We also talk about  the Memorial Concert at Zankel Hall, Carnegie Hall, on 2nd March 2024, in honor of Ustad Vilayat Khan’s 20th Anniversary,  which is being presented by Sneh Arts. Do listen- in to this conversation, on our Show, Saat Samundar Paar, on MeraSangeet Gold, today – 21st February, at 9:00AM,1:00 PM,5:00 PM and 9:00 PM – EST. You can also catch the interview on MeraSangeet East at 11:00 AM and 6:00 PM – EST

Ballimaaraan – The Piyush Mishra Project is a live concert with a full band. It is a musical homage to the doyen of Urdu poetry, Mirza Ghalib. The band’s genre-bending music is a fusion of retro with contemporary tunes and has a youthful, rebellious vibe. Ghalib spent his last 10 years of life in a haveli on Ballimaaraan lane in Old Delhi near Chawri Bazaar, close to Chandni Chowk. Mishra derived the name of his show from there. Known for its powerful and free-flowing lyrics, the music feels like an engaging conversation. Since its inception in 2016, songs like Aarambh, Husna, Ghar and many others have become popular among the youth.

Piyush Mishra is known for his effortless performances in movies like Tamasha, Gangs of Wasseypur and others. Witness an enigmatic and energetic celebration in the first-ever US tour of Piyush Mishra’s Ballimaaraan.

The tickets for the show are available for purchase at Parashare.com

The 75th Republic Day of India was celebrated at the Consulate General of India, New York with a flag hoisting ceremony on Thursday, January 26th, 2024. Consul General Mr. Binaya Srikanta Pradhan unfurled the national flag. Over 150 members of the Indian American community and friends of India joined as the national anthem was sung. The Consul General then read out the Address of the President of India which she had delivered on the eve of India’s Republic Day. A short cultural program of patriotic songs was presented by Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, USA. A large number of members of the Indian diaspora and friends of India participated in the celebration filling the hall with patriotic fervor. New Jersey State Senator, Mr. Raj Mukherji graced the occasion with his presence and spoke about the strong US-India partnership. Artists from Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan presented Patriotic songs. The event was webcast live through the Consulate’s social media platforms.

In the evening, the Consul General hosted a reception that was attended by prominent members of the diaspora, elected officials, members of the diplomatic corps, friends from the media, and people from different walks of life. Among the esteemed guests were Congressman Michael Lawler, Mayor of Edison Township Mr. Sam Joshi, and senior diplomats and officers from the NYC Mayor’s office and NY State Governor’s office.Video messages conveying congratulations on the 75th Republic Day were played by notable figures, including New York State Governor Ms. Kathy Hochul, Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, among other dignitaries.

The program included a video showcasing the Consulate’s activities across the ten states in the northeast U.S. The event also saw vibrant cultural performances from young but very talented artist, Ms. Maheshwari Jagabattula and a captivating performance from Grammy award winner, Ms. Falu Shah. Guests were then treated to a delightful Indian dinner, featuring a diverse array of regional cuisines from various parts of India. The celebration embodied the spirit of unity, diversity, and shared heritage, marking a memorable Republic Day for all in attendance. New York 29 January 2024

Anup Jalota, is an Indian singer, musician and actor best known for his contributions to the Bhajan genre of Indian Music. He is popularly known as the “Bhajan Samraat”. He was conferred with the Padma Shri in 2012, by the Government of India.

Anup Jalota was born in Nainital, Uttrakhand and hails from the Sham Chowrasi Gharana of Punjab. He was educated in Lucknow’s Bhatkhande Music Institute. His father, Purshottam Das Jalota, was also a prominent Bhajan singer. Courtesy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anup_Jalota

This conversation was recorded many years back – wherein we talk about Anup Jalota ji’s musical safar, about the various forms of music and much more.

Today, we bring to you, this conversation from our archives – incase you missed it earlier – tune -in for sure on 20th January, on our Hindi Radio Show, on MeraSangeet Gold at 2:00 PM EST and on MeraSangeet USA at 5:00 PM – EST

Padmini Kolhapure is an Indian actress, who works primarily in Hindi films. She began her acting career in 1972 at the age of seven, and her early works include Zindagi (1976) and Dream Girl (1977). She had her breakthrough with the film Satyam Shivam Sundaram (1978), starring as the young Roopa. She is the recipient of two Filmfare Awards.

At the age of 15, Kolhapure won the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in the revenge drama Insaf Ka Tarazu (1980), and at the age of 17, won the Filmfare Award for Best Actress for the musical romantic drama Prem Rog (1982), thus becoming the second-youngest actress to win the awards in the respective categories. She was also nominated for the Best Supporting Actress for her role in Souten (1983) and also received another Best Actress nomination for Pyar Jhukta Nahin (1985). Courtesy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Padmini_Kolhapure

Do listen – in to this wonderful conversation, from many years back, with Padmini Kolhapure, on our show, From our Archives, today, 9th January, on MeraSangeet Gold at 2:00 PM EST and MeraSangeet USA at 5:00 PM – EST.

 ‘One District One Product’ is among the several initiatives of the Government of India in line with Prime Minister Modi’s vision of “Aatma Nirbhar Bharat”, a self reliant India. The idea is to select, brand, and promote One Product from each District of the country, harnessing traditional strengths and technology for holistic development.

The prestigious ODOP Awards were conferred upon Indian Districts, States and Indian Missions abroad by, EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar and Commerce and Industry Minister,  Mr. Piyush Goyal on January 3 as part of the ‘Aatma Nirbhar Bharat Utsav’. The Awards aim to recognize and honor those who have demonstrated exceptional accomplishments in furthering economic development through the ODOP approach. Consulate General of India in New York was among the three Indian Missions to receive the prestigious ODOP Award 2023. It was declared the runners-up in the category of India’s Foreign Missions for its contribution in promoting ODOP items in the world.

India’s Consulate General in New York, with active guidance and support of MEA and Department of Commerce, has undertaken major campaign to showcase and promote One District One Product items of India in the Unites States. Some of the popular products include Araku Coffee, Assam and Darjeeling Tea, ittar (perfume) from Kannauj, Lakadong turmeric, jute and textiles products, millet-based food items, Dhokra metal handicrafts and Longpi pottery, among others. In 2022, Consulate organized an ODOP float at the iconic ‘India Day Parade’ in Manhattan and also put up ODOP stall at Times Square on the occasion of International Yoga Day which created widespread awareness in New York and around about ODOP items. Besides these, numerous trade shows, product launches and other events have been hosted and organized by the Consulate to promote and popularize these distinctive expressions of India’s diversity, heritage, culture and economic potential.

The ODOP initiative stands as a testament to the Government of India’s commitment to promoting the country’s unique products globally, paving the way for a self-reliant  India on the global stage.

Atul Karwal is a 1988 batch Indian Police Service Officer from the Gujarat cadre. He has served in various capacities. He is the first Officer from the All India Services to have scaled the world’s highest peak, the Mt. Everest in May 2008. This also led him to write, the book, “Think Everest”.

This conversation was recorded way back, in the summer of 2010, and it holds all the home truths- today as well, just as these did when we spoke – that about life, about success, about setting goals and achieving them, about being content with what we have, about living in the moment and much more.

Do listen in to the conversation, from our Archives – tune- in for sure, today, 15th of August, on our Hindi Radio Show, on MeraSangeet Gold at 2:00 PM EST and on MeraSangeet USA at 5:00 PM – EST

Every year, around this time, Rohit Bhambi graces our show on Mera Sangeet- this for almost more than a decade – barring the pandemic years – and thereafter as Rohit says, Boston Bhangra is back with a bang!!

This year as well, like the year gone by – with all the energy and enthusiasm. So, do save the dates for Boston Bhangra.

Rohit tells about the many teams participating, about the venue, about the special guest, the date and time, and of course the contacts to reach for the tickets.

This will be the 20th year of BostoN Bhangra. This year’s competition will be taking place on Saturday, December 2nd, 2023 at the historic Strand Theatre in Boston. If you have any questions or for more details, do visit https://bostonbhangra.com/bbc2023/

So incase you missed this earlier, do tune – in for the conversation for more information about the event, today, on MeraSangeet Gold at 2:00 PM EST and on MeraSangeet USA at 5:00 PM – EST