With Diwali entering the list of New York City school holidays, the Festival of Lights is now a public school holiday in both New York and New Jersey. Indian families are gearing up to celebrate the festival of lights at a number of Diwali 2024 events in New York and New Jersey, from Times Square to Garden City, from Ganesh Temple to BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir, and from Bhakti Center to Brooklyn Children Museum. Diwali is one of the few Indian festivals, which is celebrated with great pomp and loads of enthusiasm from America to Australia.     

Like previous years, Travel Beats, a leading Indian community portal in the US, has compiled a list of best Diwali 2024 events in New York and New Jersey for you. If you have not planned your travel on last minute flights to India yet, you can celebrate Diwali with fellow Indians at any of the places listed below. Travel Beats is a subsidiary of Indian Eagle, a trusted air-ticketing partner of Indians in America.    

Times Square Diwali 2025, NYC

Times Square Diwali in New York is not just another event; it is the largest Diwali celebration in North America as described by the US media. Every year, this iconic festival lights up Manhattan with Bollywood glamour, dance, music, and fireworks. Over the years, the stage has welcomed celebrities like Shankar Mahadevan, Sukhbir, Jay Sean, and Mika Singh, who made the crowds dance to their beats.

Times Square will celebrate Diwali 2025 on 12 October. The list of celebrities and concerts has officially not been announced yet. But 2025 is the 10th anniversary of Diwali at Times Square, it is almost certain that some of the biggest names from Bollywood and beyond will join the celebration. Indians from the east coast US are looking forward to a day of dazzling performances, delicious food, and the unmatched vibe of Times Square glowing in Diwali lights.

• Date: October 12, 2025
• Venue: Times Square, New York City
• Contact: info@diwalitimesquare.com
• Website: diwalitimessquare.com/

Diwali Celebration at BAPS Swaminarayan Temple Long Island

Hindu temples in New York are among the best places for NYC Diwali events 2025. BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir, Long Island will celebrate Diwali and Chopda Puja on 20 October. Diwali is a most traditional celebration here, while Chopda Puja is an age-old cultural ceremony wherein Gujarati and Marwari business people close their old account books and open new ones in paper or electric form, and seek blessings of Goddess Lakshmi for a new year as per the Hindu Calendar.

NYC’s BAPS Swaminarayan Temple at Long Island does also organize children’s Diwali celebration every year to make kids understand the significance of the festival and walk them through traditional rituals. Children learn the art of making diyas and rangolis. This is scheduled from 11 am to 6 pm on October 12 this year.   

Diwali at NY Ganesh Temple, Flushing

Sri Maha Vallabha Ganapati Devasthanam is one of the few best places for traditional Diwali celebrations in New York City. Home to the first temple canteen in America, the Ganapati Devasthanam organizes Maha Lakshmi Puja through the observance of rituals, such as abhishekam, homam, japam, and deepam pooja. To be celebrated on October 31, Diwali will be followed by Govardhan Annakut Festival on November 1 at Flushing Ganesh Temple in New York.

Date: Diwali – October 31 | Govardhan Annakut – November 1 

Flushing Townhall Diwali 2025 in Queens

Of all Diwali 2025 events in New York, Flushing Townhall’s 11th annual Diwali festival is out and out a cultural celebration. This year, the highlight is live performances by sitar maestro Pt. Kinnar Seen ji, tabla exponent Dr. Naren Budhkar, and Kathak dancer Abha B. Roy, the Director of Srijan Dance Company. Together, they will bring the richness of Indian classical music and dance to the stage.

Learning the art of Indian cooking, among various joyous activities, from Chef Nupur Arora, the founder of Queens Curry Kitchen, is another attraction of Flushing Townhall Diwali, Queens. Block printing with Dr. Alka Mukerji, rangoli making with Dr. Anju G. Modak, henna art, and Hindi calligraphy are the other workshops that you can choose to take part in. It is one of the few ticketed Diwali events in the Big Apple; hence, advance booking is recommended.

• Date: October 18 | Time: 12 noon – 4 pm
• Venue: Flushing Town Hall Theater
• Website: www.flushingtownhall.org/event-detail.php

New York Asia Society Diwali 2025

Asia Society’s Diwali celebration in New York doubles up as a family day full of fun, joy and entertainment. Asia Society’s auditorium will throb with dance dramas, storytelling, and musical performances. Among the major programs, families can enjoy interactive segments introducing Indian traditions along with a special meet-and-greet session with Lord Ganesh. The Visitor Center will host a live rangoli workshop by artist Anushya Mamtora.

New York Asia Society’s Diwali event is a great opportunity for Indian children to get introduced to the art of rangoli, Hindi calligraphy, and other crafts. A live cooking experience and henna design sessions are also among the attractions. The eighth floor of the venue will continue to host cultural workshops and lively dance activities. The event is being organized in collaboration with the Culture Tree that promotes South Asian culture on the east coast.

• Date: October 18 | Time: 1 pm – 4 pm
• Venue: 725 Park Avenue, NY 10021
• Website: Asiasociety.org/new-york/events/diwali-lights-asia-society-2025

Grand Diwali in Edison, New Jersey 

In New Jersey, Edison Township’s Diwali celebration is getting bigger and better every year. Presented by Indian American Mayor Sam Doshi and the Township Council, the Edison Diwali Festival 2024 will see a spectacular display of more than 100,000 lights at the venue, Papaianni Park. Mayor Sam Joshi, who traces his roots in Gujarat, invites everyone to the celebration scheduled on October 26, from 2 pm to 9 pm. Diwali being a traditional Indian festivity, music and food are the mainstay of the event. Alongside featuring 50 food stalls, the venue will be abuzz with a number of music and cultural performances.

• Date: October 26 | Time: 2 to 9 pm | Contact: 732-248-7283
• Venue:  Papaianni Park, 100 Municipal BLVD, Edison

Saraswati Cultural Association Diwali in New Jersey

Diwali celebration by Saraswati Cultural Association of New Jersey is one of the free outdoor events for Indians in October. Founded in the late 1980s as a community-driven non-profit organization, Saraswati Cultural Association hosts Diwali and other festivals to promote Indian culture and heritage, other than raising funds for charities. You can make the most of this event by grooving to live music, enjoying Dandiya and Bhangra performances, taking part in cultural programs, relishing Indian food, and shopping for Indian items. Interestingly, entry to the event venue is free for all.

• Date: October 4
• Time: 12PM – 6PM
• Venue: Exchange Place Centre, Between Hudson St & Greene St Jersey City, NJ
• Contact: 551-358-9407

Siddhachalam Jain Tirth Diwali 2025, New Jersey

If you are looking to celebrate Diwali with oodles of devotion, you can visit Siddhachalam Jain Tirth, a Jain ashram and spiritual retreat sprawling 120 acres of hilly terrain in New Jersey. Founded in 1983, the ashram hosts Diwali mela for Indians, regardless of their religion. Traditional food and devotional music are among the trappings of Diwali Mela at Siddhachalam Jain Tirth in New Jersey. On the day of Diwali festival, they also organize Mahavira Nirvan Ladoo Puja as per the Jain tradition.

• Date: October 25 and 26
• Venue: 111 Hope Road, Blairstown, NJ 07825
• Contact: (908) 362-9793
• RSVP at events@siddhachalam.org

South Street Seaport Museum Diwali

Do celebrate Diwali amidst waters at the South Street Seaport Museum in New York City. Wavertree, a historic wrought iron sailing ship dating back to 18885, is the Diwali event venue at the Seaport Museum. Visitors can make special decorations with diyas and marigold flowers. There is a pool on deck where you can float diyas while making a wish. 11 am – 6 pm is the Diwali schedule on November 1.

A puppet show has been organized to tell the audience about the religious and cultural significance of Diwali. There’s a book reading session for kids among the programs. The even will conclude with live performances and popular Diwali songs that you can groove to. You can be assured of a unique experience of Diwali celebration with a maritime twist.

Pelham Art Center Diwali, NYC 

Among the places for Diwali 2024 events in New York, Pelham Art Center celebrates Diwali through Indian folk art festivities including classical music and dance. Kathak and Bharat Natyam are not-to-be-missed performances which Indians of any age groups can take part in. The event schedule includes a hands-on traditional art workshop where you can paint your own diyas. Funded by New York State Council on the Arts, Pelham Art Center provides a multicultural community setting to help New Yorkers experience cultural diversity through participation in different forms of art. The Diwalis-special folk art event is free for all.

• Date: November 10 | Time: 1-3 pm
• Venue: Pelham Art Center, 155 Fifth Avenue, NY 10803

Sanskriti of New Jersey Diwali 2024

Sanskriti of New Jersey, a non-profit organization established in 2008, brings together the vast Indian community in Livingston and neighboring towns (Maplewood, Cedar Grove, Madison & others) for a memorable celebration of important Indian events and festivals, from Holi to Diwali. In New Jersey, Sanskriti Diwali 2024 is back with dazzling fireworks on November 2. The firework display is simply unmissable!

On October 30, Sanskriti of New Jersey is hosting an annual Diwali Meet with Sambandh, a vibrant community for adults above 55 years of age. Registration is mandatory for $15 per person. Neha Dave and Chirag Trivedi, who are popular for their Bollywood hits, will add a zing to the Diwali Meet with their special performances.

• Date: November 2 (fireworks)
• Time: Yet to be announced 
• Venue: Livingston OVAL 
• Contact: info@sanskritiofnj.org

Diwali by Brahma Kumaris in New York

The Brahma Kumaris, a global spiritual organization headquartered in Rajasthan, is inviting New Yorkers to their Diwali event on November 2, 2024 at their Manhattan Meditation Center. One of the free Diwali events in New York City, the celebration is that of the human soul’s journey from darkness to light. It is showcased through an art exhibition, live storytelling, live music, and guided meditation that intensifies one’s longing for spiritual awakening in the solitude of heavenly peace and divine bliss.

• Date: November 2 | Time: 1 – 2pm EDT
• Venue: 306, 5^th Avenue, NY 10001

Brooklyn Children’s Museum Diwali 2024

On Diwali, Brooklyn Children’s Museum organizes a puppet show by The Culture Tree for families and kids, irrespective of their community and nationality. The socio-cultural and spiritual significance of lighting lamps on Diwali is conveyed to kids through a puppet show. It teaches the US-born children of Indian descent the meaning of devotion, compassion, love, and giving back that the Diwali celebration stands for. Diwali at BCM has more festival-themed fun-filled activities for kids, such as mithai-making and lantern-making workshop.

• Date: October 26 and November 7 | Time: 4 pm – 8 pm
• Venue: 145 Brooklyn Avenue, NY 11213

The post East Coast USA Diwali Events 2025: Where to Celebrate Ghar Wali Diwali in New York and New Jersey first appeared on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

The post East Coast USA Diwali Events 2025: Where to Celebrate Ghar Wali Diwali in New York and New Jersey appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

The middle seat on Business Class flights has been a traveler’s worst irony: you pay thousands of dollars for luxury, space, and comfort, yet end up traveling squeezed between two neighbors with no aisle access. Premium travel demands privacy, direct aisle access, room to stretch out, and space to breathe freely; not the feeling of being boxed in. Emirates Airlines has finally put an end to that compromise by introducing a new 1-2-1 Business Class seating layout across its Boeing 777 fleet, removing middle seats completely.

Emirates Boeing 777 Business Class seating is now family-friendly

If you have ever booked Emirates Business Class flight tickets and flown in the older 777 aircraft, you probably remember the 2-3-2 seating layout. Seven seats in a single row meant someone always lost out on privacy, and solo travelers often sandwiched between strangers and having to climb over them to reach the aisle. This setup was far from ideal, and for couples, it was a game of luck whether they could sit together comfortably.

The new 1-2-1 Emirates Business Class seating configuration solves all those issues in one elegant move. Four seats across each row mean there is no middle seat at all, giving every passenger direct aisle access and more personal space. In the new layout, window seats are perfect for solo travelers who are concerned about privacy, while the center pair works well for couples flying together. This is also suitable for booking business class travel for your parents who always travel together. Even if you are seated in the center, you still have your own aisle.

Which Routes have Emirates’ new B777 with ‘No Middle Seat’ layout

Emirates has already started flying the upgraded 777 aircraft on several key international routes. The Dubai-based airline began the B777 retrofit program in late 2024. By September 2025, about 25 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft are already flying with the new 1-2-1 Business Class with no middle seats. You can find new seats on Emirates flights from India to Boston, Seattle, Miami, Chicago, Dallas, Newark, London Stansted, Johannesburg, Hong Kong, Madrid, Vienna, and Riyadh.

Emirates Boeing 777 Business Class seat features

Emirates Airlines’ retrofitted B777 aircraft has 78-inch fully flat beds, so you can stretch out on long-haul USA-India business class flights. Each seat is upholstered in soft cream leather with wood accents that add a touch of sophistication. The entertainment screen is huge 23 inches in HD, with Bluetooth pairing so you can use your own headphones. You also get multiple charging options, including USB-C ports, a universal power outlet, and USB-A slots. A personal minibar is tucked into the seat; a feature that frequent Emirates flyers will recognize from its A380s.

How to check if Emirates flights to India/USA have 1-2-1 Cabin Layout

The easiest way to check if your Emirates Business Class flight has the new 1-2-1 seating layout or the old 2-3-2 configuration is by viewing the seat map during booking. If you see four seats laid out in a 1-2-1 row, you can be sure about the new cabin with direct aisle access for every passenger. Another way is to call the customer support of Indian Eagle, your trusted US-India flight booking partner, to confirm if your preferred itinerary has middle seats on Emirates B777 Business Class flights.

The post Emirates Boeing 777 Business Class Upgrade Bids Goodbye to Middle Seats for Couples and Families first appeared on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

The post Emirates Boeing 777 Business Class Upgrade Bids Goodbye to Middle Seats for Couples and Families appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

Durga Puja is one of the globally celebrated Indian festivals. Be it California, Canberra, or Canada, Indians celebrate the homecoming of Goddess Durga and her children in so grand way as if there is no tomorrow. Especially Bengalis don’t mind borders or bounds when it comes to nourishing their cultural roots and celebrating their festive traditions this time of the year. With Bengali Indians growing in numbers, California has become home to some of the best Durga Puja events in USA.

As the beats of dhak have started resonating in the air; the fragrance of Sheuli flowers has started filling the atmosphere, Indian Eagle – the most trusted travel-booking partner of Indians in USA – recommends the following best places for Durga Puja 2025 events in California.

Los Angeles Durga Puja: Dakshini Bengali Association, CA 

Dakshini Bengali Association, California hosts one of the biggest Durga Puja events 2025 in the Greater Los Angeles Area. A nonprofit, charitable, cultural organization; Dakshini Bengali Association has a great lineup of events including live concerts to enthrall the audience during the celebration. Among the performing artists on the guest list is Abhijeet Bhattacharya, an Indian playback singer, who will perform on October 11. Another live performance by the Anupam Roy Band is scheduled on October 10. Both are ticketed shows at Dakshini.  

• Dates: October 10, 11 and 12
• Venue: Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, Manhattan Beach Boulevard, LA County
• Contact: Communications@dakshini.org, +1 310-344-1804

Also Read: Amazing Things to Know about Durga Puja

Bay Area Prabasi Durga Puja 2025

Bay Area Prabasi, a nonprofit Bengali Cultural Organization in Alameda County, is hosting the biggest Durga Puja celebration in North America this year as a mark of the community’s 52nd anniversary. Famed for one of the oldest and best Durga Puja events in California, Bay Area Prabasi is known for its simplicity and sophistication rather than extravagance.

On October 3, Bay Area Prabasi Durga Puja will present the most popular Jodi No. 1 competition with Rachna Banerjee. On the evening of October 4, you can dance to the nostalgic tunes of the 90s Retro Bolly concert with Abhijeet Bhattacharya. Another enthralling experience awaits on October 5 with a live performance by Rupankar Bagchi.

• Dates: October 3, 4, and 5
• Venue: Santa Clara Fairgrounds, 131 Old Tully Road, San Jose CA 95111
• Contact: info@prabasi.org, 626-277-7932
• Website: Prabasi.org

BASC Durgotsav 2025, Southern California

BASC, the Bengali Association of Southern California, hosts one of the best Durga Puja celebrations in California. A nonprofit philanthropic organization in the San Gabriel Valley of Los Angeles County, BASC is among the few best places to catch up with Indians and indulge in Bengali culture during Durga Puja away from home. 

On October 3, the first day of the puja celebration, the Bengali Association of Southern California will present an unforgettable evening with Fossils, an iconic Bengali rock band. On October 4, a live performance by the legendary Kailash Kher will bring soulful renditions of songs like Allah ke Bande and Saiyaan, which have touched millions of hearts for years.

On October 18, the first day of the puja, the Bengali Association of Southern California will present an unforgettable evening with Nandy Sisters, the social media sensation duo in playback singing. A live performance by Sukhwinder Singh will make you grove to hit Bollywood numbers on October 19.

• Dates: October 3, 5, and 5
• Venue: Bridges Auditorium, 450 N College Way, Claremont, CA 91711
• Contact: info@bascweb.org, 714-342-5266, +1 626-390-1224
• Website: bascweb.org

Also Read: How Goddess Kali Came to California from Kolkata

Pashchimi Durga Puja 2025, Bay Area

Wondering where to celebrate Durga Puja in the San Francisco Bay Area? One of the most popular California Durga puja events 2025, Bay Area Pashchimi upholds the best of Bengali culture and traditions this time of the year. Founded in 2004 as a nonprofit organization, Pashchimi has teamed up with Children International for this puja. Children International strives to provide underprivileged girl children with seamless access to education in India. Pashchimi Durga Puja is known for its adherence to age-old traditions.

• Dates: September 27 to October 1
• Venue: Oasis Palace Restaurant, 35145 Newark Blvd, CA
• Contact: contact@pashchimi.org, 408-883-5304
• Website: Pashchimi.org

Santa Clara WomenNow Durga Puja, Bay Area

Of Bay Area Durga Puja events 2025, WomenNow TV’s Durga Utsav in Santa Clara is a unique, all-women celebration. Inspired by the idea of celebrating the collective power of women in real life, WomenNow TV’s CEO Ena Sarkar and her team organize the festivity every year. Ena Sarkar, the founder and CEO of WomenNow TV, a South Asian talk show, is at the helm of this California Durga Puja. Their celebration starts with pushpanjali on Maha Ashtami and ends with sindoor khela on Maha Dashami. The outdoor event features shopping markets, street food stalls, and cultural activities including Dandiya nights.

Read our exclusive article on Santa Clara Durga Utsav by WomenNow TV.

The festivities will begin with a Royal Rass Dandiya evening on September 26. On September 27 and 28, there will be cultural and devotional events such as Saptami and Ashtami Pujo, Royal Ball DJ Night, Royal Fashion Show, Parama Awards, Sindoor Utsav, Nabami and Dashami Pujo, along with other cultural celebrations.

• Dates: September 26, 27 and 28
• Venue:21840 McClellan Road, Cupertino
• Contact: info@womennow.tv, +1 510-364-4271

Los Angeles Durga Puja 2025: Valley Bengali Community

Valley Bengali Community’s Durga puja is another grand celebration in the Greater Los Angeles Area. Musical evenings are a highlight of the event, and 2025 marks 10 glorious years.  The 10th Durgotsav by the Valley Bengali Community will see soulful performances by Joy–Lopa Express on September 26, Surojit O Bondhura on September 27, and Madhubanti Bagchi on September 28. All three evenings will see the best of classic and contemporary music.

• Dates: September 26, 27 and 28
• Venue: Canoga Park High School 6850 Topanga Canyon Blvd. Canoga Park 91303
• Contact: vbc@valleybengali.org, 818-564-6592
• Website: Durga.valleybengali.org

SAIKAT Durga Puja 2024, San Diego

Among Southern California Durga Puja events, SAIKAT Durgotsav 2025 has a great lineup of cultural programs, including a melodious evening, a dance drama, a stage play and other performing arts by different age groups. SAIKAT, the Bengali Association of San Diego, is an active philanthropic organization volunteering hours for and contributing to charities. On the occasion of Durga Puja, SAIKAT releases an annual magazine giving space to their community members’ literary and creative writeups.

• Dates: October 4 and 5
• Venue: San Pasqual High School, San Diego
• Contact: ec@saikat.org
• Website: Saikat.org

Also Check: What Makes Travel to Kolkata Cheaper and Better

Baybasi Durga Puja 2025, Foster City

This year marks the 17th year of BayBasi organizing one of the best Durga Puja events in the Bay Area. Their handmade pandal set against the panoramic view of a lagoon in the backdrop is a must visit. A leading non-profit organization of Bengalis in Foster City, BayBasi has a crowd-pulling schedule of cultural programs including Dandiya Night on September 26. Sa Re Ga Ma Pa’s music director, composer, singer and mentor Rathijit, along with the soulful Shreya Ghosal and talented musicians, will perform on September 28 at BayBasi Durga Puja 2025.

• Dates: September 26, 27 and 28
• Venue:The Vibe Teen Center, 670 Shell Blvd, Foster City, CA 94404
• Contact: +1 650-489-8139 | baybasi@baybasi.us
• Website: Baybasi.us

Santa Barbara Vedanta Temple Durga Puja 2025

The Vedanta Society of Southern California organizes Durga Puja at the Santa Barbara Temple every year. Founded in 1956 and consecrated to Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa, the Santa Barbara Vedanta Temple deserves a mention for its absolute devotion to Goddess Durga in compliance with the rituals and traditions followed by Belur Math in Bengal. Unlike other Durga Puja events in California, the Santa Barbara Vedanta Temple’s Durga Puja celebration is known for its simplicity. The serene location of the temple in a scenic mountain range overlooking the Pacific Ocean is another pull.

• Dates: September 27 to October 2
• Venue: 927 Ladera Ln, Montecito, CA 93108
• Contact: santabarbara@vedanta.org, 805 969 2903
• Website: Vedanta.org/santa-barbara-temple/

NorCal Bengali Association Prothoma Durga Puja 2025, Bay Area

The Northern California Bengali Association of Silicon Valley is one of the best places to enjoy Durga Puja events in the SF Bay Area. More than 100 members of the community prepare the culinary offering (bhog) for Goddess Durga and her children. Various cultural performances including dhunuchi naach and Prangon dance are lined up as part of the schedule at NorCal Prothoma Durga Pujo 2025. The women members of NorCal Bengali Association will perform a Prangon dance to welcome Maa Durga.

Lakkhichhara Band featuring Raju Das Baul will set the stage on fire with their dynamic performance on September 26. On September 27, playback singer Mahalakshmi Iyer will captivate the audience with her soulful voice after NoCal Bengali Association presents Devi – a Broadway-style dance show by classical dancers across the US. The celebration will conclude on September 28 with an electrifying act by Anirban Bhattacharya and Hooliganism. The women members of NorCal Bengali Association’s Prothoma will perform Agomoni dance to welcome Maa Durga

• Dates: September 26, 27 and 28
• Venue: HUSD Performing Arts Center, Hayward, 2390 Panama Street, CA 94545
• Contact: +1 408-940-6846
• Website: Norcalba.org

The post Details of California Durga Puja 2025: Know Where to Celebrate in Bay Area and Southern California first appeared on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

The post Details of California Durga Puja 2025: Know Where to Celebrate in Bay Area and Southern California appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

Durga Puja is one of the grandest and most-awaited Indian festivals. It is a most spectacular celebration in the Indian state of Bengal. However, the festival is celebrated with equal enthusiasm wherever Bengalis are in the world. About two dozen of Durga Puja events in New Jersey and New York transform the northeast cost into a mini Bengal with cultural exuberance this time of the year. Bengali associations across New York and New Jersey started preparations months ago, so the festivity does not fall short of joy and happiness in their adopted home. They can live away from home, but can’t survive without the blessings of Maa Durga, the bliss of bhoger kichudi, the beats of dhak, and the ecstasy of dunuchi naach.

Travel Beats, a leading overseas Indian community portal by Indian Eagle, recommends some of the best places for Durga puja 2025 in New York and New Jersey.  “Elo re Dugga elo re…” 

Times Square Durga Puja, New York

After the historic debut of Durga Puja celebration at Times Square in 2024, the divine celebration is back this year. Usually, Times Square is a popular venue for Diwali, Yoga, and Indian Independence Day celebrations. Unlike other Durga puja events in USA, the 2-day Times Square Durga Puja is a free event for all, regardless of their nationality and religion. It is being organized by Bengali Club of USA .

• Date: October 1 and 2
• Contact: contact@timessquaredurgapuja.org, +1315-586-3372

Sanskriti Durga Puja 2025: Buffalo, New York

Sanskriti, a Bengali cultural association in Buffalo, is one of the best and oldest Durga Puja celebrations in New York. Founded in 1974-75, the Sanskriti Durga Puja is a cultural platform for the present generation of Bengali Diaspora in the northeast US to have a tryst with their heritage, literature, and traditions thousands of miles away from India. Sanskriti also celebrates other festivals with equal enthusiasm. They also organize Kojagori Lokkhi puja at the same venue.

Sanskriti will organize a Bijoya Dinner on the last day of the puja. On October 4, the Sanskriti Buffalo Durga Puja committee will host a Bijoya sommelani and a live performance by Sa Re Ga Ma Pa fame Sneha Bhattacharya at Canterbury Woods Performing Arts Center, Williamsville, Renaissance Drive. Earlier, their event was graced by such renowned performing artists as Purna Das Boul and Bhupen Hazarika.

• Dates: September 26, 27, 28
• Venue: Hindu Cultural Society, Big Temple Auditorium, 1595 N French Road, Getzville, NY 14068
• Contact: president@buffalosanskriti.org, +1 623-499-2329
• Website: Buffalosanskriti.org

New York Kali Mandir Durga Puja, Baldwin

New York Kali Mandir located close to JFK International Airport is the destination if you wish to celebrate Durga Puja in the most traditional manner. Inspired by the Dakshineswar Kali Temple of Kolkata, NYKM is home to Goddess Kali worshiped by Bengalis and other Indian communities. Founded in 2005, the temple doubles up as a community organization and helps preserve the age-old Bengali cultural traditions in New Yok Metropolitan Area. The temple has a well-stocked library for all age groups. Those interested in volunteering can serve the temple this Durga Puja.    

• Dates: September 27 to 30
• Venue: 614 Seaman Ave, Baldwin, NY, 11510
• Contact: nykmdevotee@gmail.com, +1 516-771-5254
• Website: Nykalimandir.org

Also read: Sanyal Brothers Offer Best Kolkata Street Food with Chai in New York

Durga Puja at Ramakrishna Vivekananda Center of New York

Durga Puja at the Ramakrishna Vivekananda Center of New York for the followers of the Ramakrishna order is among the best Durga puja celebrations in the Greater New York Area. Founded in 1933, the center organizes the puja to worship the Divine Mother and seek Her blessings for humankind. The chanting of sacred hymns and the singing of devotional songs in chorus are the mainstay of their celebration without pomp and in strict adherence to the principles laid out by Belur Math, the headquarters of Ramakrishna Missions worldwide.     

• Dates: To be announced
• Venue: 17 E 94th St, New York, NY 10128
• Contact: (212) 534-9445
• E-mail:  rvcenternewyork@gmail.com
• Website: Ramakrishna.org

East Coast Cultural Association Durga Puja, NY

The East Coast Cultural Association, one of the youngest communities in New York, has planned a spectacular Durga puja celebration this year to mark its third anniversary. Founded in 2022, the non-profit Bong organization strives to create the ambience of parar pujo in Kolkata through a grand display of traditional Bengali culture, ranging from mouthwatering dishes to live music programs, at their puja venue. The schedule of ECCA Durga Puja 2025 includes three musical evenings by Sneha Bhattacharya on SEP 26, Madhubanti Bagchi on SEP 27, and Albert Kabo Lepcha on SEP 28.

• Dates: September 26, 27, 28
• Venue: Gujarati Samaj Hall, 17315 Horace Harding Expy, Fresh Meadows, NY 11365
• Contact: eastcoastcultural@gmail.com
• Website: Eccany.com

Utsov Durga Puja 2025 in New Jersey

Utsov Inc. is known for one of the biggest Durga Puja events in New Jersey. Their celebration, both traditional and contemporary, has a number of ‘wow’ factors – delectable Bengali food, Sindoor Khela, Dhunuchi dance, cultural programs, and art competition for kids. East Brunswick near Edison is the location of their puja venue that will turn into a Disneyland of festivities and revelry for two days as Utsov Inc. has invited the powerhouse voice of Bengal, Rupankar Bagchi, and the sensational Indian singing duo, Nandy Sisters (Ankita and Antara).

Legendary Lakkhichhara and Raju Das Baul – who are the titans of Bengali rock – will churn out popular Baul music and take the exuberance of NJ Utsov Durga Puja celebration to the fever pitch on OCT 5. Prior registration is compulsory to enter the venue and attend the live events.

• Dates: October 4 and 5
• Contact: 201 787 6861 or 516 519 1434, utsov@utsov.org
• Venue: Jo Ann Magistro Performing Arts Center, 200 Rues Lane, East Brunswick, NJ 
• Website: Utsov.org

Also read: Indian Food is a Pure Bliss at This Temple Kitchen in New York

Garden State Puja Committee’s 44th Durga Puja in New Jersey

One of the oldest and biggest Durga Puja events in New Jersey is organized by the Bengalis of Garden State Puja Committee, Jersey City. GSPC Durga Utsov 2025 will celebrate its 44th anniversary over foot-tapping numbers of the most popular bands, Euphoria on 4 OCT and Fossils on 5 OCT. Bongobhoj – a traditional Bengali food fare – is the mainstay of their celebration.

The pandal modelled on thakur dalan, a distinct feature of mansions dating back to the feudal era of Bengal, has already been shipped from Kolkata to New Jersey. This is the biggest attraction of GSPC Durga Puja in Jersey City.

• Dates: October 3 to 5
• Venue: William L. Dickinson High School, 2 Palisade Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07306
• Contact: +1 201-993-4577 | info@gardenstatepuja.org
• Website: gspcnj.com

New Jersey Kallol Durga Puja 2025  

Among the Durga Puja celebrations in New Jersey, Kallol Durga Puja hits the headlines every year. Of the oldest Bengali organizations in the northeast coast, Kallol will transform Somerset into a mini City of Joy with cultural and musical extravaganza for 4 days, SEP 25 to 28.

Raj Burman will make the audience groove to his hit numbers on September 25, while Silajit Majumder will set the stage on fire with his soulful songs on September 26. Anirban & Band Hooliganism will take over the stage on September 27 and their foot-tapping performance will make the evening unforgettable. Kallol New Jersey Durga Puja in 2025 will be a rollercoaster ride of fun and joy over music by Sambuddha Chatterjee and Amit Kumar on September 28.

• Dates: September 25 to 28
• Venue: Ukranian Cultural Center, 135 Davidson Avenue, Somerset, New Jersey 08873
• Contact: 732.290.5218
• Website: Kallol.com

Also read: Why Bengal worships living goddesses during Durga puja

Agrani Durga Puja, Plainfield NJ

Agrani Durga Puja in Plainfield near Edison is one of the 10 best Indian events in New Jersey in October 2025. Like WomenNow TV’s Durga Puja in California, the women members of Agrani NJ organize the puja, from fabulous feasting to cultural extravaganza. Equally popular with the Bong and non-Bengalis in Central New Jersey, Agrani Durga Puja promises to be an exhilarating experience for music connoisseurs. Antara Mitra, a renowned Bollywood playback singer, will set the stage on fire on October 4. 

• Dates: October 4 and 5
• Venue: 730 Central St Plainfield, NJ 07062 United States
• Contact: Info@agranicnj.org

Alor Benu Durga Puja in Edison, NJ 

The ‘Ekchala’ style Durga idol is the main attraction of this humble celebration by a few Bengali families in Edison, NJ. This is more a gharoa (homely) puja than a community puja. The festive evenings from September 26-28 will see various cultural indulgences by the organizers and their families. The puja schedule is chock-a-block with traditional rituals from pushpanjali to the Goddess in the morning to dhunuchi naach in the evening to a family dinner at night.

• Dates: September 26, 27 and 28
• Venue: 2 Farmhaven Avenue, Edison, NJ 08820
• Contact: aamantran@aalorbenu.net, (908) 294-1954

New Jersey Ananda Mandir Durga Puja 2025

Durga Puja at Ananda Mandir in New Jersey is a most traditional one. Hundreds of New Jersey Indians throng the shrine to immerse themselves in festive revelries for five days. New Jersey Ananda Mandir is one of the few Hindu temples in USA that follows the Bengali calendar precisely for celebrating Durga Puja and other festivals. The temple that also doubles up as an Indian cultural center was commissioned in 1995 and completed in 2003. You may need to pre-register online. On successful registration, you would receive a confirmation email, which you can show to the volunteers at the temple complex.

• Dates: September 27 to October 2
• Venue: 269 Cedar Grove Lane, Somerset, NJ 08873-5212
• Contact: (732) 873-9821 or info@anandamandir.org
• Website: Anandamandir.org

Garden State Cultural Association: Plainfield, NJ

Among the best places for Durga Puja 2025 in New Jersey, Garden State Cultural Association (GSCA) is gearing up for their 34th year of the celebration. GSCA, a nonprofit Indian American organization of Bengalis in Plainfield, leaves no stone unturned to make Durga Puja a grand get-together of not only Bengalis but also other Indian communities over delicious food, shopping, and cultural entertainment. The interesting lineup of events include talent shows and drawing competitions.

Registration is compulsory to attend the celebration, especially cultural programs. You can register on their website given below. Popular Indian singers Jayati Chakraborty, Avishek Sinha, and Shreyasi Bhattacharjee are among the eminent guests this year.  

• Dates: October 4 and 5
• Venue: Melvin H. Kreps Middle School, 5 Kent Lane East Windsor, NJ-08520
• Contact: (908) 367-3322 or contact@gsca.us
• Website: web.gsca.us

Also Read: Payal Saha’s Kati Roll from Kolkata Rocks in New York

Bengali Cultural Society Durga Puja: South Jersey

In New Jersey, Bengali Cultural Society’s Durga Puja celebration is a lot more than food, fun and frolic. Rather, it mirrors the rich cultural heritage of Bengal on the American soil. Founded in 1978, Bengali Cultural Society is not just one of the oldest Bengali diaspora associations but a philanthropic organization too. They publish their own magazine Sanskriti every year and run a Bengali language school for their young ones and those interested in learning the language. Each day of the puja will culminate in an authentic Bengali community dinner.

You can check out their extensive menu for festive bhuribhoj on their Facebook page. Grammy Award winner Mahalaxmi Iyer, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa winner Sourav Das, Bengali folk singer Poushali Banerjee, and music composer and singer Ranajoy Bhattacharjee are among the special guests for this year’s Durga Puja event at BCSSJ.

• Dates: October 3, 4, 5
• Venue: Indian Cultural Center, 820 NJ-73, Marlton, NJ 08053
• Contact: info@bcssj.org
• Website: Bcssj.org

New Jersey Bharat Sevashram Sangha Durga Puja

The New Jersey chapter of Bharat Sevashram Sangha celebrates Durga Puja to worship the Supreme Power of the universe. The chanting of slokas and hymns reverberates in the air of the ashram temple on the five days of Durga Puja. Devotees can soak in numinous vibes that the ambience is rife with this time of the year. Bharat Sevashram Sangha is one of the few places where all the rituals of Durga Puja are strictly followed in compliance with the scriptures. Devotees are requested to pre-register for the puja.

• Dates: September 20 and 21; September 28 to October 2
• Location: 3490 Route-27 Kendral Park, New Jersey 08824
• Contact: 732 422 8880/ 347 735 2984 | devotees@sevashramsangha.org
• Website: sevashramsangha.org

Trinayani Durga Puja in Plainsboro, New Jersey

A non-profit organization established in 2022 with the aim to promote India’s rich art and culture, Trinayani is eyeing a theme-based Durga Puja celebration in a grander fashion this year. In its inaugural year (2022), Trinayani was the first and only one to have worshipped the protima (idol) made by Prabasi Bengalis among the community members. The Bong being great foodies complement their festivities with sumptuous food.

The musical acts to be performed by Rathijeet and Anweshaa, on October 4 and 5 respectively, will make you not only groove to live music but also feel nostalgic. You may contact Trinayani for registrations.

• Dates: October 4 and 5
• Venue:5 Adams Ct Plainsboro NJ 08536
• Contact: contact@trinayaninj.org  
• Website: www.trinayaninj.org

PBA Agomoni and Durga Puja 2025

Princeton Bengali Association in New Jersey will invoke Maa Durga on Mahalaya (September 21) through their ‘Agomoni’ program and celebrate Durga Puja on October 20 in West Windsor. Dhunuchi naach, Sindoor khela and other traditional rituals are the hallmarks of their humble celebration. Rishi Panda, a popular YouTuber and singer, has been invited for a musical evening at PBA Durga Puja in New Jersey. The event is free for kids (5 years and below).

• Date: September 21
• Venue: Dutch Neck Elementary School, 392 Village Rd E, West Windsor Township, NJ 08550, USA
• Contact: pbanj.org

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The post These Durga Puja Events in New York and New Jersey Turn East Coast into a Mini Bengal This Time of Year first appeared on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

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On his recent visit to the US as a guest speaker, Alakh Pandey – popularly known as Physics Wallah – motivated Indian students at Harvard University, Stanford University, and California University to reverse brain drain to India and be part of India’s growth story directly or indirectly. While delivering a keynote, he said, “Our country has many drawbacks; however, no country is perfect. Young Indians at home and abroad should work towards making it better.”

Ruchit Garg did 12 years ago what Physics Wallah told Indian students abroad to do now. Ruchit Garg, an ex-Microsoft program manager, quit his pursuit of American Dream, returned to the roots, and started working for the economic wellbeing of farmers in 2015. After a stint in the IT corridor of Hyderabad, he got an onsite opportunity to work at Microsoft’s Redmond headquarters. After 3 years in 2011, he left the job with a fat paycheck of INR 1 Cr per annum only to dabble as an entrepreneur in America’s thriving startup space.

He started feeling like a misfit there as his chase of American Dream lacked a noble objective for his native country. His grandfather was a farmer in Uttar Pradesh; therefore, his umbilical cord with fields and farming pulled him back home to transform the lives of smallholder farmers who belong to an underserved community though they grow crops for 80% of the planet. His compassion for farmers allied with technology for the launch of a field-to-market startup, Harvesting Farmer Network (HFN).

Dubbed as “Amul of the next generation”, Ruchit Garg’s Harvesting Farmer Network strives to increase the sales turnover of various farm produces by helping farmers get better deals directly from buyers. Precisely, he has eliminated the role of intermediaries who would take a significant chunk of farmers’ sales proceeds, and thus, helped nearly 40 lakh smallholder farmers in India since the launch of his startup.

Harvesting Farmer Network’s Kisan app is an all-in-one guide for farmers like a lighthouse on the seashore for sailors. It disseminates updated information in various regional languages about government schemes for farmers, modern farming methods, the sourcing of high-quality seeds and various raw materials, and likes. The app is a growing network of farm producers and buyers, and a platform for listing crops for sale. Ruchit Garg and his HFN team also provide scientific, financial and legal advice to farmers and those involved in farming some way or the other.

Ruchit’s agri-tech startup had a humble beginning. What he started on WhatsApp a few years ago has grown into a one-stop solution for farmers. Recently, he brought commercial banks with the ambit of his startup to help farmers seek finance at reasonable interest rates. He opines that the financial service offering is an under-penetrated market in the agricultural sector. Given that technology is yet to reach some parts of rural India, he set up more than 17000 offline kisan centers across the country, where non-tech-savvy farmers can connect with buyers and seek information, help, and/or expertise.

Like USA-returned barefoot billionaire Sridhar Vembu, Ruchit Garg believes in the virtue of giving back to society. His empathy for farmers at the grassroots level stems out of the hardships he had in his growing years after his father’s untimely demise. He was raised by a single mother who was a clerk at the Indian Railways library in Lucknow. While she could not afford to buy books for him, her job at the government library gave him unrestricted access to books and magazines. Reading case studies in Harvard Business Review magazines, which he considered a “fun pastime” back then, sowed the seeds of entrepreneurship into him.

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At the AI Summit in Washington DC on 23 July 2025, President Trump took a dig at American tech giants for hiring workers from India. However, American conglomerates continue to welcome Indian-origin leaders to the C-suite. In July itself, two Indian Americans entered the elite club of Indian-origin CEOs in the US: Ketul J. Patel as CEO of Wellstar Health System and Gagan Singh as CEO of Blackpoint Cyber. Now Shailesh Jejurikar is ascending the hotseat of CEO at Procter & Gamble whose several brands are household names in America, India, and other countries.

Who is Shailesh Jejurikar, next CEO of Procter & Gamble?  

The first Indian CEO of Procter & Gamble in its 187-year-history, Shailesh Jejurikar was born in Mumbai ands schooled in Hyderabad. Like Deloitte’s former CEO Punit Renjen, he has had an illustrious career for 36 years at P&G, from an assistant brand manager in India in 1989 to CEO in 2026. He will take over as CEO and President of Proctor & Gamble in January 2026. Currently, he is the Chief Operating Officer for P&G’s Enterprise Markets.

Shailesh Jejurikar’s journey from humble beginnings, which he once descried as “pretty much in the middle of nowhere” outside Mumbai to P&G’s global headquarters in Cincinnati is a remarkable story of American Dream.

Shailesh Jejurikar to head P&G as CEO amid challenging times

Business leaders across the world, including Anand Mahindra from India, have hailed his appointment as CEO as one of the best decisions for and by P&G to navigate the challenging times. P&G, the world’s largest consumer goods maker (by market capitalization) with a revenue of US$ 84bn in 2024, has been seeing a linear sales graph amid economic headwinds spurred by the Middle East conflict, the US-China trade tensions, rising production overheads, volatile pricing in key markets, and likes. P&G’s April-June quarterly report forecast a dip in consumer sentiment, annual sales and revenues.

Given the current juncture, steering Procter & Gamble’s next phase of growth would be a litmus test to Shailesh Jejurikar’s leadership and business acumen. However, leading business analysts are sanguine that his profound understanding of both developed economies and emerging markets would be a driver for P&G’s sales growth. “P&G people, our brands, and our capabilities in innovation and operational excellence fuel my confidence for a future of sustained growth and value creation,” said P&G’s new CEO Jejurikar while sharing the news of his promotion.

P&G CEO Shailesh G. Jejurikar’s net worth

Shailesh Jejurikar’s net worth is estimated at $40-50 million (combining his salary, P&G shares, stock investments, and other notable assets). Unlike Sundar Pichai, Satya Nadella, and few other Indian American CEOs, he is not yet among the billionaire immigrants in the US. His salary as CEO of Procter & Gamble may boost his net worth and catapult him to Forbes’ 2026 list of richest Indian-origin CEOs.

Procter & Gamble CEO Shailesh Jejurikar’s Education

His academic profile ranges from the prestigious Hyderabad Public School where Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella was his classmate, to IIM Lucknow. In eighth grade, he joined Hyderabad Public School, a cradle of CEOs and business leaders including Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen and MasterCard CEO Ajay Banga, after his family shifted to Hyderabad from Mumbai. Other than Nadella, Soumya Chakravorty, MD of Deloitte’s SAP Offering, and V. Navender, Tesla’s former Chief Information Officer were among his batchmates at the Hyderabad school.

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After the tragic Ahmedabad plane crash in June, netizens are googling – what is the best and safest aircraft in the fleet of Air India? The Tata airline placed multibillion-dollar orders for 570 new aircraft from both Airbus and Boeing. Only six brand-new A350-900 planes have joined the fleet so far, while the first B787-9 from the Boeing order will be delivered soon. Since December 2024, Air India has been operating A350-900 flights without complaints. Our customers’ reviews on Air India’s A350 travel experience adjudge this aircraft as the best and safest in the fleet.

A350-900: Best and Safest Aircraft in Air India Fleet

Currently, A350-900 is not just the newest but also the best and safest aircraft in Air India fleet for long-haul flights, to say between USA and India. Few aircraft can rival Airbus A350, a most advanced, widebody jet which is even bigger than Boeing 787 Dreamliner. A350-1000 is longer than the latest Dreamliner variant, B787-10. At present, six A350-900s are operational for Air India flights from New Delhi to New York JFK, Newark EWR, and London Heathrow.

Not only Air India, but also its partners and rivals are cashing in on either or both variants – A350-900 and A350-1000. Singapore Airlines and Qatar Airways are leading operators of A350 flights. Among top 10 airlines that fly from USA to India, Emirates received its first A350-900 in January 2025, with more 64 A350-900 planes to be delivered. 47 A350-900 and 1000s will be delivered to Lufthansa Group Airlines by 2031. Air India’s domestic rival IndiGo is expecting delivery of 40 Airbus A350 planes starting mid-2027 for its international expansion plans.

What makes A350 the best aircraft in Air India fleet

• Lightweight Structure: Over 70% of its airframe is made from titanium, aluminum, and composite materials, making the aircraft lighter and stronger.
• Fuel Efficiency: Uses up to 25% less fuel than older wide-body aircraft, reducing emissions and operating costs.
• Sleek Aerodynamics: The 64.75 m wings with morphing technology improves lift and lowers drag during flight.
• Engine: Equipped with Rolls-Royce Trent XWB, the most efficient large aero-engine today, delivering high reliability, modular maintenance, and fuel savings.
• Airspace Cabin: Features the quietest twin-aisle cabin in its class, wide seats, larger windows, straight sidewalls, high ceilings, and spacious overhead bins for enhanced comfort.
• Optimized Cabin Environment: Maintains a comfortable cabin altitude of 6,000 feet with air renewed every 2–3 minutes through HEPA filtering.
• Advanced Lighting: Full LED ambient lighting supports customized lighting scenarios (e.g., sunrise/sunset), which help reduce passenger fatigue and jet lag.
• Connectivity & Entertainment: A350 was the first aircraft delivered with in-flight connectivity, offering high-speed satellite Wi-Fi, plus high-definition IFE, with screens up to 13″ in economy—on entry into service.

Air India A350 Economy Class

The A350-900 has improved the way Indians from the US used to travel in Air India’s Economy cabins until December 2023. The aircraft ticks all the boxes for your elevated comfort on Air India’s economy class flights to Delhi from New York, Newark, and London. The A350-900 economy cabins feature 264 cushioned seats in a 3-3-3- configuration, each offering 31-inch pitch, 17.5-inch width, 6-inch recline, and adjustable headrests for added support during long journeys.

Air India’s A350 economy class has seats equipped with a 12-inch HD touchscreen featuring the Panasonic eX3 entertainment system, loaded with over 2,200 hours of content. The airline provides screen-free audio content for kids on A350 flights. It has increased the comfort quotient for economy class passengers seeking Indian Eagle flight deals.

Air India A350 Premium Economy

Air India’s Premium Economy cabins on A350-900 planes offer a value-for-money experience. If sophistication of flying, comfort at 40,000 feet, and budget flight deals are your priority, the A350 Premium Economy is the best bet for your intercontinental travel. It has 24 super cozy seats with 38-inch pitch, 18.5-inch width, 8-inch recline, and four-way adjustable headrests for customized comfort. Arranged in a 2-4-2 layout, the seats have comfortable leg rest with a foot paddle.

The above is why Air India’s A350 Premium Economy is a preferred choice for elderly parents’ travel from India to USA for much less than business class tickets. The seats come with a 13.3-inch HD touchscreen, USB-A charging, universal power outlets, and personal reading lights. Priority check-in and early boarding are among the perks, in addition to TUMI amenity kits and upgraded dining on premium tableware.

Air India A350 Business Class: Luxurious Private Suites

What makes A350-900 is the best aircraft in Air India fleet is the new-age business class with luxurious suites, full-flat beds, sliding doors, personal wardrobes, and under-seat storage. Flying in Air India’s Business class on A350-900 gives a glimpse into the airline’s ongoing transformation. It has 28 suites in a 1-2-1 configuration offering direct aisle access to all passengers. Each suite has a convertible 79-inch full-flat bed built on the Collins Aerospace Horizon platform.

The perks of booking business class flights on Air India’s A350-900 include gourmet meals served on bespoke Ferragamo-designed tableware, a 21-inch HD Panasonic eX3 screen with noise-cancelling headphones, and an in-cabin humidifier. Everything from a vanity mirror to universal power outlets, tail-camera views, and top-notch Ferragamo amenity kits are meticulous additions to your luxury and comfort above the clouds.

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To be inaugurated in August or September 2025, Navi Mumbai International Airport is a most ambitious aviation project for Rs 16,700 crore (around $2 billion). Flying through this airport would a unique experience unlike traveling through New Delhi or Mumbai CSMI Airport. Everything about the Navi Mumbai Airport project, from lotus-like design to water terminal to traffic-handling capacity is a wonder.

Navi Mumbai Airport – Local Sightseeing for Connecting Passengers

Connecting passengers with significant layovers at Navi Mumbai Airport would get to visit Lonavala, a most scenic hill station among the weekend getaways between Mumbai and Pune. NMIAL is planning to offer short sightseeing trips to Lonavala and other nearby tourist sites for travelers during long wait hours before connecting flights. If you have 6 hours or more to the next flight or international boarding, you can go for Lonavala sightseeing and come back to the airport.

The first Indian airport to offer local sightseeing tours, Navi Mumbai Airport would join the ranks of Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Egypt, Singapore Changi, and Istanbul airports with stopover programs and sightseeing tours. Lonavala sightseeing experiences are being anticipated to be guided tours like Changi Airport’s free Singapore tours for transit travelers. “We are also looking at many options from among the must-visit places in Mumbai which could be explored with the help of Atal Setu,” said an official from NMIAL.

Since this initiative is in the works, we are waiting for more information, like sightseeing trips to Lonavala and other places from D B Patil Airport in Navi Mumbai would be complimentary or payable, whether this would be extended to inbound international arrivals,” said the chief travel economist of IndianEagle.com.

Navi Mumbai Airport to have Water Taxis

Water taxi rides between South Mumbai and DB Patil Airport in Navi Mumbai would be an altogether different experience for travelers, starting in 2026. Yes, among the existing and new airports in India, NMIA is the first to get water transportation on 8 routes to major points along the coast of Mumbai, like Colaba. A road trip to the airport from the mainland via the Mumbai Trans Harbor Link would take more than 60 minutes, whereas a water taxi ride would cut it to a mere 30 minutes. Part of the multimodal connectivity among Navi Mumbai Airport’s facilities, electric water taxis would make commuting to the airport smooth, scenic, and of course, Instagram worthy.

NMIA Food Hall: A Taste of Mumbai Inside the Terminal

Among Navi Mumbai Airport’s facilities, a curated Food Hall is all set to redefine airport dining for travelers. Designed by top chefs, this Food Hall brings together the flavors of Mumbai, from street-style vada pav to pav bhaji and fulfilling meals that reflect the City of Dreams’ culinary depth. It would be very unlike a typical food court at other airports where brand franchisees and quick-service restaurants charge a premium.

At NMIA Food Hall, you would get vegan, Jain, and diabetic-friendly food options, alongside a wide selection of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. And the best part? Prices would be in line with that of normal city restaurants, not the highly inflated rates at most airports. Navi Mumbai Airport will also have a food court outside the terminal building for non-passengers who come to see off or receive travelers.

Navi Mumbai Airport’s Experiential Zones Facility

After clearing security at Navi Mumbai DB Patil Airport, passengers would step into a special experiential zone designed to ease pre-flight stress. This in-terminal area will feature interactive displays, digital projections, and cultural artifacts showcasing the iconic landmarks of Mumbai, Maharashtra, and India at large. The experiential zone will have a calm ambience and a culturally rich space where passengers can relax and explore a bit of the local culture before boarding. Plus, a gaming area is coming up at the airport for families and children.

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While President Trump is wooing foreign millionaires with his ‘Gold Card’ visa, Indian American Balaji Srinivasan is busy building a decentralized, digital-first nation on an island for tech startup founders outside the United States. Balaji, among Silicon Valley’s most unconventional investors, has bought an island near Singapore and is planning to convert the island into a nation for startup founders, tech entrepreneurs, thinkers and digital community builders.

Srinivasan has long believed that the next Silicon Valley might not be in the US. With the tech world changing fast, he felt it was time to build something new outside the old systems. That is what led him to launch the Network School, a hands-on for startup founders and fitness enthusiasts. It is the first real-world test of his bigger idea of building self-governed communities, also known as Network State.

Balaji Srinivasan’s Vision for a New Tech-First Country

In 2022, he published a book titled The Network State: How to Start a New Country. It introduced a bold idea: why wait for governments to change when you can build your own? Using the Internet, like-minded people can form online communities, raise funds, purchase land, and start living by shared values. In 2024, Balaji and his team acquired a private island near Singapore and launched the first live experiment of the Network School, which he sees as a possible foundation for Network State, a tech-first nation for startup founders.

Who is Indian American Balaji Srinivasan?

Balaji Srinivasan is an Indian-origin American entrepreneur, investor, and futurist. He was born in Long Island, New York, in 1980, to physician parents who immigrated from Tamil Nadu, India. He often credits his disciplined upbringing and early love for technology to his family. While other kids were reading comics, Balaji was exploring math with his grandfather and learning computers.

He holds four degrees from Stanford University, including a PhD in Electrical Engineering and a Master’s in Chemical Engineering. He also taught at Stanford, sharing his knowledge of statistics and bioinformatics. His first success came with Counsyl, a genetic testing company he co-founded in 2007. The firm helped couples screen for hereditary conditions before having children and was later sold in 2018 for $375 million.

Then came 21.co, a bitcoin-related startup that pivoted into Earn.com, a platform where users could get paid in crypto to answer emails. That company was acquired by Coinbase, where Balaji became the first Chief Technology Officer. He also joined Andreessen Horowitz, one of Silicon Valley’s top venture capital firms, as a General Partner, where he backed early-stage crypto and biotech startups.

Over the years, Balaji has invested in more than 200 companies, including Ethereum, OpenSea, and Alchemy, cementing his place in the tech elite. But the most interesting chapter in Balaji’s story is just beginning.

What is Balaji Srinivasan’s Network School or Network State?

The Network School isn’t just a place to learn. It’s a complete environment where founders live together, work out daily, code, build companies, and debate the future of tech and governance. The curriculum covers everything from AI and crypto to community building and digital law. Participants are selected not just for their skills but for their values. Belief in Bitcoin, trust in AI as a force for good, and a shared vision of freedom and innovation, these are some of the foundational ideas behind the school.

For Balaji, the Network School is a working prototype for what he calls a “Network State.” Just as the United States was once a radical new idea shaped by liberty and self-rule, the Network State is a digital-first evolution of that concept, born from the internet rather than geography. Balaji is already thinking beyond this island, with similar plans of building a next-generation society in Dubai, Tokyo, the Mediterranean, and possibly even India.

Right now, a three-month program is underway at the Network School. Up next is a one-year fellowship that’s currently in the works. Fellows will be selected through a rigorous process and will receive $100k in funding to build a new or existing venture after successfully completing the program. All participants are expected to relocate to the island, where they will live, build, and grow together with other founders.

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America’s national science competition – Discovery 3M Young Scientist Challenge 2025 has announced top 10 finalists including 8 Indian American students. In the past 15 years, the ‘Top Young Scientist’ title has gone to Indian immigrants 7 times. Kids of Indian origin have time and again shined in the competition for their problem-solving ideas and scientific innovations. Just like the 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee, where 7 of the 9 finalists were Indian Americans, the 3M Young Scientist Challenge is also being dominated by Indian-origin talents.

List of Indian-origin winners of America’s 3M Young Scientist Challenge:

• Deepika Kurup, New Hampshire in 2012
• Sahil Doshi, Pennsylvania in 2014
• Maansa Mendu, Ohio in 2016
• Gitanjali Rao, Colorado in 2017
• Rishab Jain, Oregon in 2018
• Anika Chebrolu, Texas in 2020
• Sirish Subash, Georgia in 2024

3M Young Scientist Challenge 2025: Eight Indian American Finalists

Divyam Desai, Texas

Divyam Desai, a 7th grader from Frisco, TX, is one of the 10 finalists of the 3M Young Scientist Challenge 2025 for his foundation tilt prevention system. His innovative irrigation system monitors soil moisture and waters the soil, only as needed, around building foundations in order to prevent damages that expansion soils cause to the foundation of brick-and-mortar structures in Texas. It would save his parents and other homeowners hefty repair costs. At the same time, his smart invention would help conserve water in clay-rich regions.

Divyam wants to become a mathematician, as algebra and statistics fascinate him. This 13-year-old believes that 3D printers are the best invention of the last 100 years.

Reanna Bhuyan Patel, New Jersey

13-year-old Reanna from Princeton, New Jersey has built a next-gen device based on thermoelectric principles. Her device captures energy from surrounding heat and converts it into electricity. Thus, her low-cost electricity generation tool has the potential to provide clean energy to communities with zero to little access to reliable power. No wonder why this project earned her a spot among the finalists for America’s Top Young Scientist title in 2025.

She believes, “Intelligence is not defined by what you know, but by the power of what you do with it.” In 2024, Reanna Bhuyan Patel won the New Jersey State Merit Award from 3M for developing a zero-energy air conditioning system. She aspires to become an entrepreneur and an engineer.

Anirudh Rao, Colorado

12-year-old Anirudh Rao is the youngest of all finalists for Discovery 3M Young Scientist Challenge 2025. He built a moisture-powered nano-generator that can provide clean, affordable electricity for health and environmental sensors in areas with limited access to power. His innovation focuses on making renewable energy solutions more practical and accessible, especially in off-grid locations.

Being a prolific inventor, Anirudh competed for America’s Top Young Scientist title in the past three years, each time with a new solution. However, he made it as a finalist this year. He also developed a tornado detection system using a network of drones designed to detect infrasound and sense approaching tornadoes.

Amaira Srivastava, Arizona

Amaira Srivastava’s commitment to curbing food waste, plastic pollution, and climate change brought her to the Discovery 3M Young Scientist Challenge finals 2025. Aiming to promote sustainability, she has created biodegradable cups made with fruit peels not only to reduce plastic waste, but also to deliver natural nutrients through flavonoid-rich water. She believes that the 3M Young Scientist Challenge platform would help make her product a household item in the US and beyond.

Amaira dreams of becoming a global scientist, innovator, and purpose-driven entrepreneur who tackles challenges like climate change, pollution, and hunger.

Sheyna Patel, Florida

Sheyna Patel, an 8th grader from Longwood, has been named a finalist for the 3M Young Scientist Challenge 2025 for her innovative solution to a major environmental problem. She has developed a non-toxic hydrogel that can capture and break down microplastics in water with over 93% efficiency, offering a promising way to protect aquatic ecosystems. Her project showcases both scientific skill and deep concern for the environment.

This 14-year-old is 14-year-old and passionate about STEM research and is driven by a strong desire to solve real-world problems. Sheyna Patel’s favorite invention of the past 100 years is the smartphone, as it helps her explore and understand the possibilities of the world.

Shrey Arora, Tennessee

Among the finalists for America’s Top Young Scientist title 2025, Shrey Arora from Tennessee presents a solution that both homemakers and restaurant owners would love. A resident of Collierville in the Memphis metropolitan area, Shrey has developed FreshMate, a smart fridge device that tracks expiration dates of refrigerated food items, and thus, helps to reduce food waste in everyday life.

Passionate about solving real-world problems, Shrey dreams of working at NASA. He was named the 2024 Tennessee State Merit Winner in the 3M Young Scientist Challenge. He is mentored by Indian-origin Lalitha Ganapatibhotla, an advanced product development specialist in 3M.

Aniket Sarkar, Florida

Aniket Sarkar’s low-cost atmospheric solution for farmers in the arid regions of America will compete for the first prize at Discovery 3M Young Scientist Challenge this year. a 7^th grader from Sarasota, Aniket developed an easy-to-use atmospheric moisture capturing system that absorbs water from air to support farming in the arid regions of hinterlands.

Aniket hopes to become an environmental engineer aiming to solve the world’s most pressing problems. Despite being 13-year-old, he has already gained hands-on experience in rocketry and robotics, which has fueled his passion for innovation.

Isha Marla, Oregon

Isha is famed in her school as the “young doctor in the making.” She is 14-year-old and is one of the top 10 finalists of the America’s 2025 Young Scientist Challenge. Isha created AlginaFAB, a fabric made from seaweed and other natural ingredients. Her eco-friendly textile mimics the strength and flexibility of traditional fabrics while being fully biodegradable.

She is an 8th grader from Portland with a strong passion for science, innovation, and music. Isha has been studying piano and percussion for the past 8 years, and her favorite invention of the past 100 years is the drum set. She hopes to become a cardiovascular surgeon, aiming to perform life-saving surgeries and drive innovation in healthcare.

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