Houston, Texas, USA: The annual DISHA USA Diwali Gala illuminated the GSH Event Centre with dazzling colours, laughter, and a deep sense of community. The celebration honoured the achievements and growing influence of Hindu Americans while showcasing the organisation’s ongoing efforts to strengthen civic engagement and voter participation across the United States.
Founded four years ago, DISHA USA is a Hindu faith-based nonprofit dedicated to promoting civic responsibility and community leadership. Co-founder Ashish Agrawal expressed gratitude to the “small but mighty” DISHA team, recognising members Girish Venkat, Divyendu Singh, Paro Sarkar, Avanish Agrawal, Karthik Satish, Bharat Patel, Juhi Varma, Sangeeta Dua, Anup Bansal, and Amit Joshi for their commitment and teamwor
A Night of Culture, Leadership, and Inspiration
The gala was hosted with charm and energy by emcees Athin Reddy, Gayathri Brown-Iyer, and Dr Vasant Garg, supported by over 20 youth volunteers working behind the scenes. The event began with a soulful rendition of the American and Indian national anthems by Aarya Vyas, setting a tone of unity and pride.
Elected leaders, including State Representative Lauren Simmons and Fulshear Councilmember Abhijeet Uttarkar, attended the event and offered formal recognitions to DISHA USA. State Rep. Suleman Lalani also sent an acknowledgement honouring the organisation’s community impact.
Honouring the Next Generation
The evening spotlighted rising youth leaders through the Young Achievers Awards, recognising Ananya Goyal, Akash Musale, Anagha Surendran, Nima Mistry, and Pooja Shah for their outstanding contributions in areas such as community service, STEM innovation, athletics, and entrepreneurship.
Keynote by Asra Nomani
Renowned journalist and author Asra Nomani delivered an inspiring keynote, reflecting on a life-changing chapter following her journey to Pakistan after the 9/11 attacks. She shared the emotional experience of losing her friend, journalist Daniel Pearl, and how that moment reshaped her perspective on courage and resilience.
Drawing parallels between her story and the message of Diwali, Nomani reminded the audience that “even in the darkest times, light finds a way to shine through — often through love, community, and inner strength.” She encouraged everyone to embrace hope and personal empowerment, declaring, “Tonight, I renew my vow — to know my power, to rise from darkness, and to continue walking toward the light.”
Guest of Honour: Justice Evan A. Young
Texas Supreme Court Justice Evan A. Young, attending with his family, spoke about Texas’s welcoming spirit and the values shared between Diwali and Texan culture — resilience, justice, and the triumph of good over evil.
Justice Young, who began his current term in 2022, shared reflections from his legal journey, including his time as a clerk to Justice Antonin Scalia and his work at the U.S. Department of Justice. He remarked humorously, “Compared to the origins of the Ramayana, Texas’s infancy was practically yesterday. Yet here we are, celebrating Diwali in Harris County — something even early Texans might never have imagined.”
Honouring a Cultural Icon: Dr Rathna Kumar
A highlight of the night was the Lifetime Service Recognition Award presented to Dr. Rathna Kumar, an acclaimed dancer, educator, and cultural visionary. As founder of the Anjali Centre for Performing Arts, the first Indian classical dance school in Texas, and Samskriti, she has played a pivotal role in building cultural bridges for five decades.
Dr Kumar, a global exponent of Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi, is the only Indian American recipient of India’s prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award — a testament to her lasting contributions to the performing arts.
Strengthening Civic Engagement
In his address, co-founder Ashish Agrawal thanked the organisation’s supporters and key sponsors — Uma and Gopal Aggarwal of Tara Capital and Malla Mekala, President of Infodat International Inc. He reiterated DISHA USA’s mission to empower Hindu (Dharmic) Americans through civic participation.
Agrawal also highlighted the nonprofit’s ongoing initiatives — including voter registration drives, candidate forums, advocacy programs, and election data projects — closing with an inspiring call to action: “Vote, Contribute, and Run for Office.”
A Mesmerising Cultural Finale
The gala concluded with a breathtaking performance by Kalakriti Performing Arts, directed by Kusum Sharma. The 20-minute production, Festival of Peace and Courage, captivated the audience with dynamic choreography, powerful storytelling, and visually rich costumes. Blending Diwali’s timeless themes with American patriotic elements, the performance celebrated light’s victory over darkness — a message that resonated deeply with everyone present.
