Mayor Adams, joined by the leaders from several key city agencies – Community Affairs Unit (CAU), Department of Buildings, Department of Small Business Services, New York City Police Department, Mayor’s Office of Food Policy, Mayor’s Office of Nonprofit Services, Mayor's Office of Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprises (M/WBE), and the Mayor’s Office of International Affairs (MOIA) – met with Indian community leaders regarding issues facing their community on March 20, 2025.
There are more than 220,000 Indians across all five boroughs of the city, and the Adams administration is focused on listening to their concerns and addressing them.
Mayor Adams and senior administration leaders listened and responded to community leaders regarding issues such as public safety, inclusive food options, community spaces, and cultural awareness. “Our city is home to more than 220,000 Indians across all five boroughs, who provide incredible value to our communities, businesses, and culture. Our administration is laser-focused on not only listening to their concerns on issues like public safety and inclusive food options, but making concrete steps to address them,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “We heard from Indian small business owners, nonprofit founders, and cultural leaders, all of whom work each day to improve our city and strengthen our communities. We are committed to working with them to ensure New York City is the best place to raise a family and thrive,” said Mayor Adams.
CAU Commissioner Fred Kreizman opened up the meeting by introducing city leadership and key stakeholders.
MOIA Deputy Commissioner for Trade, Investment, and Innovation Dilip Chauhan, spoke of the mayor’s commitment to the Indian community before introducing Mayor Adams.
Mayor Adams welcomed all in attendance and spoke about his past and continued support of the community. The meeting was turned over to Deputy Commissioner Chauhan to call on speakers to voice their concerns.
.jpg)
Speakers addressed concerns such as (1) Creating community spaces for the Indian community (2) Expanding the mayor’s ‘Breaking Bread, Building Bonds’ program (3) Bringing vegetarian meals to hospitals (4) Helping small businesses address shoplifting and theft (5) Addressing recidivism and its effect on citywide crime (6) Expanding meditation to relieve stress and provide mental health support for New Yorkers (7) Boosting residency programs for film across the city (8) Bringing together diaspora organizations across the South Asian community to focus on inclusion and religious harmony (9) Security and parking assistance for large Indian community events and (10) Spreading awareness cultural competency for Hinduism.
Speakers thanked Mayor Adams for making Diwali a public school holiday, supporting plant-based meal programs, promoting Indian culture, and all the mayor does to build a safer, more affordable city.
Mayor Adams committed to continue working with partners to find spaces for the Indian community, encouraging cultural awareness of Hinduism, Sikhism,
and Jainism and promoting critical faith-based events.
Adams administration leaders spoke to a variety of ongoing efforts, from new healthy, religiously inclusive, plant-based meals offered at New York City hospitals to expanding support for minority- and women-owned businesses (W/MBE).
The mayor thanked everyone for coming to the meeting. Several senior staff members were given mayoral assignments to follow up with the specific constituent.
(All Photos courtesy: Mayor Adams' Office)
