Events Recap
AAPI Heritage Night 2026
IAGB Celebrating AAPI Heritage Night 2026 with the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium: Henna, Bollywood and Community Spirit
IAGB proudly participated in AAPI Night 2026 at Gillette Stadium on Saturday, May 2nd, 2026, bringing vibrant cultural experiences to thousands of fans during the pre-game festivities. The IAGB Henna/Mehendi booth was one of the most popular attractions of the evening, with 75+ attendees receiving beautifully crafted Henna tattoos from the IAGB team. The booth remained active throughout the Fan Zone hours, showcasing the artistry and cultural richness of traditional Mehendi.
A major highlight of the event was the Bollywood group dance performance, presented by the India Association of Greater Boston (IAGB) and choreographed by Chhavi Mishra. This high-energy showcase celebrated India’s cultural heartbeat bringing together Bhangra, Garba, and Bollywood’s expressive storytelling in a colorful, dynamic performance that reflected the spirit and diversity of our community. The performance was widely appreciated and recognized as one of the best Bollywood showcases of the night.
Performer Group participants are Chhavi Mishra, Poornima Natkarni, Nilam Adhikari, Sowmya Sampige, Bhavna Dedhia, Aparna Karpe, Priya Vedantham, Smita Kumar, Adhi Ramesh & Mohini Tripathi
IAGB was also honored with on-field recognition during the pre-game ceremony. IAGB President Nilesh Agrawal and Vice President Deepak Garg were invited onto the field, representing the Indian American community with pride during the AAPI celebration.
IAGB extends a special note of appreciation to Juliane Mahoney, Multicultural Engagement Senior Specialist, New England Revolution, for her continued partnership, coordination, and support in ensuring a meaningful and memorable AAPI Night experience for our community.
The evening beautifully blended culture, sports, and community pride, a true celebration of AAPI heritage at Gillette Stadium.
IAGB Community Giving Clothing Drive 2026
The IAGB Community Giving Clothing Drive 2026 concluded with an inspiring outpouring of generosity from the Greater Boston community. This annual initiative invited residents to donate gently used clothing to support individuals and families in need, and the response was truly heartwarming.
This year, IAGB partnered with Vision-Aid, an organization dedicated to empowering individuals with visual impairments, and collaborated with the Epilepsy Foundation New England Donation Center, which transforms donated clothing into essential programs and services for those affected by epilepsy. These partnerships ensured that every contribution created meaningful impact across multiple communities.
With steady participation across all three drop-off locations 2 Keans Road, Burlington, 2 Sanderson Road, Lexington, and 142 Pleasant Street, Lexington.
The drive saw tremendous engagement from families, youth, and community supporters.
IAGB volunteers Lima Das and Nilesh Agrawal, along with Vision-Aid representatives Monika Wadhwa and Anuja Das, and youth volunteer Aditi Wadhwa, collectively collected the clothes from the community, coordinating the effort with care, teamwork, and dedication.
On Sunday, May 3rd, the combined teams successfully delivered 200+ bags of donated clothing, each bag symbolizing comfort, dignity, and hope for someone in need. The volume of donations reflected not only generosity but also the community’s shared commitment to giving back and uplifting others.
IAGB extends heartfelt thanks to every donor, volunteer, and partner who supported this initiative. Your kindness strengthens our mission of community service, compassion, and collective impact.
Together, we collected. Together, we donated. Together, we made an impact.
IAGB at GBH AANHPI Heritage Celebration – Partner Organization Representation
The India Association of Greater Boston (IAGB) was honored to participate as a Featured Community Partner at the GBH AANHPI Heritage Celebration held on May 12th, 2026, at the GBH Studios in Boston. This annual event celebrates the stories, voices, and cultural impact of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities.
Representing IAGB at the event were President Nilesh Agrawal and Vice President Deepak Garg, who staffed the IAGB table during the reception and engaged with attendees, community leaders, and partner organizations. As a featured partner, IAGB received a dedicated table in the Atrium, logo placement on GBH’s digital welcome screens and event communications, verbal acknowledgment during the formal program, and complimentary seating for the featured presentation.
The evening’s program included a special conversation with renowned journalist Ann Curry, discussing her documentary Bombshell and reflecting on her career and the influence of the AANHPI community. With more than 200 attendees, the event created a meaningful space for cultural exchange, storytelling, and community connection.
IAGB extends its sincere appreciation to Elizabeth Hagyard, Kate Kataja, and Paul W. Lee, Member of the GBH Board of Trustees, for their leadership, partnership, and support in uplifting AANHPI voices and community organizations through this celebration.
A meaningful evening of partnership, representation, and cultural celebration.
IAGB Senior Expo & Cultural Exchange
The India Association of Greater Boston (IAGB) successfully hosted the Senior Expo & Cultural Exchange on May 16th in Burlington, MA. The event brought together seniors, families, community partners, and service providers for a day focused on well-being, culture, learning, and community connection.
The program opened with a warm welcome from IAGB President Nilesh Agrawal, joined by Vice President Deepak Garg, Secretary Asha Thotangare, and the IAGB Executive Committee. The Expo was honored to host AAPI Commissioner Vaishali Gade as one of the distinguished guests, who addressed the audience and shared valuable insights on community health and AAPI engagement.
Our collaboration partners Java & Hetal Joshi from Happy Life Adult Day Health and the Academy of Creative Arts also joined the program, offering meaningful perspectives on senior wellness and highlighting the wide range of activities and services they provide to enrich the lives of older adults.
We also extend our appreciation to our food sponsors, Sujata & Dev Patil from The Treasury Kitchen, for serving delicious food at the event at a nominal charge.
The Expo featured a strong lineup of educational seminars, including:
- Health Care Proxy & Living Will – Indian Circle for Caring (ICC)
- How to Bat Well in Your Second Innings – Happy Life Adult Day Health
- Nutrition & Oral Health for Older Adults – IMANE
- Alzheimer’s Awareness & Early Detection – Alzheimer’s Association
- Aging with Dignity & Community Support – Volunteering for Seniors
In addition to the seminars, attendees enjoyed a vibrant cultural segment featuring Odissi, Kathak, fusion dance, and energetic youth performances. These performances added color, rhythm, and joy to the day’s educational programming.
The Expo hosted a diverse group of vendors and community partners, including Medicare, Minuteman Senior Services, BU Dental, ICC, IMANE, VFS, United Healthcare, Alzheimer’s Association, Evergreen Adult Day Health, and several businesses offering products and services for seniors.
A community raffle added excitement toward the end of the event, with attendees winning gift cards sponsored by IAGB.
IAGB extends its appreciation to all presenters, performers, partners, and volunteers who contributed to the success of the Expo.
Special thanks to Manish Bhowmick for capturing the event through his lens.
The Senior Expo once again demonstrated IAGB’s commitment to creating impactful, inclusive, and service-oriented programs for the Greater Boston community. We look forward to continuing this tradition and serving our senior community with dedication and pride.
Discover India Series: Pehnawa – Weaves of India
The India Association of Greater Boston (IAGB), in collaboration with Volunteering for Seniors Inc. (VFS), hosted the Discover India Series on May 19th at the Sharon Community Center. This session, titled “Pehnawa: Weaves of India,” offered attendees a beautiful cultural experience centered around India’s rich textile heritage.
Textiles in India are more than fabric, they are living expressions of history, identity, craftsmanship, and regional storytelling. The program highlighted the artistry behind traditional weaves, the cultural significance of clothing across India’s diverse states, and the generational skills preserved by artisans.
The afternoon featured an engaging presentation, visual displays, and interactive discussions that brought these stories to life. Seniors from VFS and community participants explored the beauty and diversity of Indian weaves from vibrant handlooms and regional sarees to intricate embroidery traditions, gaining a deeper appreciation for the cultural narratives woven into every thread. The room was filled with color, conversation, and a shared sense of cultural connection.
IAGB President Nilesh Agrawal, Vice President Deepak Garg, and VFS Co-Founder Pratima Penumarthy welcomed the audience and emphasized the importance of celebrating and preserving India’s textile legacy. The event was warmly received by seniors and cultural enthusiasts alike.
A heartfelt thank you to VFS for partnering with us, to the Pehnawa presenters for their beautiful session, and to the amazing IAGB cultural volunteers Chhavi Mishra, Meenakshi Rai and Aparna Karpe for creating such an engaging and memorable experience for our seniors at the Sharon Senior Center. Together, we created a meaningful and enriching cultural afternoon.
Discover India continues to bring our heritage closer to the community, one story, one tradition, one experience at a time.
Events Attended:
IAGB at NEMM Maharashtra Day Celebration
The India Association of Greater Boston (IAGB) was honored to be invited to the Maharashtra Day Celebration hosted by the New England Marathi Mandal (NEMM) on Saturday, May 2nd, 2026, at Wellesley High School. The highlight of the event was the grand Mahanatya, “Raja Shiv Chhatrapati – Devgiri Te Raigad,” presented by Swaraj Theaters from Dallas, a powerful theatrical journey depicting the life, leadership, and legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
Representing IAGB at the celebration were President Nilesh Agrawal and Vice President Deepak Garg, who attended as invited guests and joined fellow dignitaries for a pre-program meet-and-greet with the esteemed Chief Guests:
- Dr. Shrikant Shinde, Member of Parliament from India (Kalyan, Lok Sabha) and distinguished orthopedic surgeon
- Prasad Panwalkar, President of the Bruhan Maharashtra Mandal (BMM)
The gathering offered an opportunity for meaningful conversations with the Chief Guests and community leaders, followed by the main program. The Mahanatya captivated the audience with its powerful storytelling, elaborate costumes, and immersive portrayal of Shivaji Maharaj’s journey from Devgiri to Raigad.
NEMM extended heartfelt appreciation to all participating organizations for their presence and support. IAGB thanks the NEMM leadership team for their warm hospitality and for bringing the community together to celebrate Maharashtra’s rich history, culture, and pride.
A memorable evening of culture, connection, and community representation.
IAGB at Chinmaya Mission Boston Amrit Mahotsav – Community Recognition
The India Association of Greater Boston (IAGB) was honored to participate in the Chinmaya Mission Boston Amrit Mahotsav celebrations held on May 10, 2026, at the Chinmaya Mission Center in Andover. This milestone year marks 75 years of the Chinmaya Movement, a legacy of spiritual upliftment, service, and community enrichment inspired by Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda.
As part of the day’s special programs, IAGB President Nilesh Agrawal attended the event and joined fellow community organizations for the Community Recognition Ceremony, held in the CMB Auditorium. The ceremony highlighted the contributions of local organizations working to strengthen cultural, spiritual, and community life across New England.
The Amrit Mahotsav featured devotional programs, cultural presentations, exhibits on the Chinmaya Movement, and opportunities for the community to come together in celebration and reflection. The event was beautifully organized and warmly received by attendees from across the region.
IAGB extends heartfelt appreciation to Ajita Bhat, President of Chinmaya Mission Boston, and to Madhu Akkihebbal and the entire CMB coordination team for their gracious invitation, thoughtful planning, and warm hospitality. It was a privilege for IAGB to be part of this historic celebration and to join the community honoring 75 years of the Chinmaya Mission’s service and impact.
IAGB congratulates Chinmaya Mission Boston on this remarkable milestone and looks forward to continued collaboration in serving and uplifting our shared community.
