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Here are some important dates you want to note down on your calendar for later in the year.
TAMPA BAY AREA
INDIA FESTIVAL OCT. 31
Organized by the Gujarati Samaj of Tampa Bay, the daylong 37th India Festival will be held from 9 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31, at the Florida State Fairgrounds, 4800 U.S. 301 N. More than 10,000 people are expected to attend. As always, booths in the Expo Hill will offer clothes, jewelry, arts and crafts, photo studio and home décor/furniture and more. There also will be numerous eateries selling delicacies such as samosas, bhel puri, chicken curry and dosas.
In the entertainment area, performers will be adorned in colorful attire for categories of dance competition in various age groups – garba, raas, folk and bhangra. Several closed-circuit TV monitors will be set up so people can shop and eat while watching the dances.
This year’s India Fest chair is Ravi Patel and can be reached at [email protected] For
information, visit https://indiafesttampa.com/
CENTRAL FLORIDA (ORLANDO)
GUJARATI SOCIETY TO HOLD DIWALI NOV. 14
The Gujarati Society of Central Florida will hold its annual Diwali dinner at Renaissance Orlando (SeaWorld) on Nov. 14. Early bird tickets start at $75 per person. For information, call Chirag Patel at (407) 797-9407 or visit www.gujaratisocietycfl.com
SOUTH FLORIDA (PEMBROKE PINES)
DIWALI CELEBRATIONS NOV. 21 IN FORT LAUDERDALE
The Indian Regional and Cultural Center (IRCC) will celebrate the 14th Diwali Festival of Lights, from noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, at a new venue: Charles F. Dodge City Center, 601 City Center Way, Pembroke Pines. Performances will include Bollywood/folk dances, showcases Indian clothing, jewelry, dance, music, art and cuisine. Rangoli competitions are also planned.
For tickets and information, including sponsorship opportunities, vendor booths, donations and volunteering, visit https://irccflorida.org/
TAMPA SANATAN MANDIR Plaque Dedication Honors Dr. Akshay Desai’s legacy
Story provided by Naresh Vissa
Family, friends, and community leaders gathered at Sanatan Mandir, Tampa, for a heartfelt Plaque Dedication and Memorial Service honoring the life and legacy of St. Petersburg’s Dr. Akshay Desai (1958–2019), a geriatrician, Universal Health Care CEO, community leader, and steadfast supporter of Hindu causes in the Tampa Bay area.
The evening began with devotional Gujarati bhajans, followed by a Satyanarayan Katha and a special plaque dedication ceremony. In a touching moment, Seema Desai and her daughter, Priyanka, unveiled the memorial plaque, which will serve as a lasting tribute to Dr. Desai’s contributions to the community and the temple.
Among those in attendance were family members, close friends, and prominent community leaders, including Dr. Rakesh Sharma, Jugal Taneja and many longtime associates of Dr. Desai. A large gathering of well-wishers filled the temple to pay their respects and celebrate his enduring impact.
Several speakers shared personal memories and reflections on Dr. Desai’s life. Dr. Kiran Patel, Dr. Sharma and Dr. Jay Chokshi spoke warmly of his leadership, generosity and unwavering commitment to community service. Dr. Patel described Dr. Desai as a pillar of the Indian-American community whose dedication to both the Hindu faith and civic engagement helped strengthen and unite generations of families in Tampa.
The memorial concluded with prayers and dinner, leaving attendees inspired by Dr. Desai’s example of service, humility and devotion to community.
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