The United India Association hosted a fun filled Holi celebration at the Mantra restaurant in downtown Boston on March 20, 2011. Over 400 people attended the event. All ingredients of a traditional Holi festivals including Tandai, Chaat, colors , music and dance were present and gave a back-home feeling to the celebration.
 
“Holi is a time when communities come together after the winter to welcome the spring harvest. It is a wonderful feeling that we can maintain our culture in this great nation which welcomes and embraces diversity” said Dr. Neela Gandhi,President of UIANE as she welcomed the guests to the event.
 
Guests had a chance to savor lovely appetizers including vegetable samosas, chicken kebabs,papri chat and bhel puri. Tandai sold at the cash bar was an instant hit. The cultural program organized by Dr. Seema Arora included dances from Arya Dance Academy and Lexington Kudiyan groups. "I also encourage our kids to help out and participate in organization of the event. My 11 year old daughter, Serena very enthusiastically conducted kids' games .I was very impressed that she could keep 75 kids organized and involved in games downstairs. My  kids choreographed dances that they presented in the cultural show” said Arora.
 
After the cultural program it was time for lunch and guests got to enjoy a wonderful spread that included Dosa, Chana Bhaturae, Chicken Tikka Masala, Saag Paneer, Naan and Jalebi
 
After lunch, guests with singing talent entertained the audience with Karoke singing. The
The dance floor was then opened to rocking music by DJ Tej Singh and had everyone tapping their feet to the Rhythms of the Dhol.  Traditional color throwing was the highlight of the afternoon.
 
“This was our first event as the new committee and the first event of this year. Our event was completely sold out three weeks before the event, a rarity for Indian events.  It was a huge undertaking a new direction for UIANE . We are so pleased that it was so successful ” said Gandhi and Arora.
 
Pravin Khetrapal, a long time supporter of UIANE, was very pleased with the success of the event. “  United India Association has been in existence for last 27 years. We never thought of celebrating Holi in Boston as it comes in March and the weather in Boston is very unpredictable. When Neela Gandhi initiated the idea of  celebrating  Holi I thought we were taking a big risk. I am delighted that the celebration happened.  I am so happy to see many people attend. I personally had  a wonderful time.”
 
 
 â€œUIANE’s goal is to serve the community by bringing people together and celebrate these events in a traditional way to maintain our culture and pass it on to our future generations. We hope to do more events to serve this mission” said Gandhi.

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