The Federation of Indian Associations – New England (FIA-NE) and the Indian American Forum for Political Education (IAFPE) jointly celebrated International Women’s Day as well as Holi, the Springtime Indian festival of colors, at the Northborough Senior Center, located at 119 Bearfoot Road in Northborough, Massachusetts, on March 8. IAFPE was represented by GopeGidwani, Arun Malhotra and Dr. Monie Malhotra. FIA-NE’s team led by Abhishek Singh and other members, including Sanjay Gokhale, Rakesh Kavsari, Anand Sharma, Nick Wadhwa, Ajay Pulaparthi, Girish Soni, Raj Uppalapati, Gautam Patel, Archana Soni, Mukta Munjal, Jyoti Singh, Anu Raghav and Meenu Sharma managed the event and welcomed all the guests, especially nearly 125 senior citizens who joined.
The event started with the singing of the American National Anthem. Massachusetts Senator Mike Moore then addressed the audience and conveyed his appreciation of contributions by women in society and his best wishes on International Women’s Day. Following Senator Moore’s remarks, Mukta Munjal held a panel discussion, with the participation of several highly accomplished women, including Meghan Kilcoyne, Massachusetts State Representative; Dr. Monnie Malhotra, Harvard-trained Neurologist who held medical faculty positions at Tufts and Brown University, and owner of Malco Art Center; Sandra Fryc, Shrewsbury School Committee member; Kendra Faldetta, Director of Northborough Senior Center; Archana Soni, entrepreneur and social worker; Sonali Doshi, founder of “Rahat” a charity engaged in pandemic relief; Pratima Penumarthy, founder of Volunteering for Seniors Inc.; and Michelle Guerrero at Citizens Bank.
IAFPE and FIA-NE sponsored a sumptuous lunch for all attendees at the Senior Center, before felicitating all women with fresh long-stem roses and tiaras. Many of the senior ladies stated that they felt like Princesses. The big smiles and joy on everyone’s faces were priceless and deeply satisfying to the organizers and all the volunteers.
Since International Women’s Day also coincided with Holi, the Indian festival of colors marking the beginning of Spring, the attendees also participated in the celebration of Holi to conclude this joyous and memorable event.