People of New York enjoyed Long Island’s 5th Vaisakhi Mela held in Nassau Community College on Sunday, May 18, 2025. Despite windy weather, approximately 18,000 people turned up for a fun-filled day.
A group of five friends, Onkar Singh, Rajeev Maini, Deepak Bansal, Jay Sharma & Jay Singh, under the banner of Long Island Punjabi Circle and a very dedicated team of around 50 members have been doing Vaisakhi Mela since 2019, which is scheduled every year on the 3rd Sunday of May each year.
The Mela started with Sikh Ardas by Head Granthi of Guru Nanak Darbar Giani Kuldeep Singh ji followed by Gurbani Kirtan by Yoomesh Sharma. Daler Singh ji’s team performed Gatka and Bhangra and Gidha by Soormas & Mutiyaras.
Bollywood and Punjabi Singer Dr. Jaspinder Narula, along with Shipra Goyal and R. Nait, rocked the stage with their best numbers, which didn’t let people sit on their seats for a continuous three hours.
County Executive Bruce Blakeman, NYS Senator Steve Rhoads, Legislator Rosemary Walker, North Hempstead Town Clerk Ragini Srivastava, Human Rights Commission Chairman Bobby Kalotee, Vice Chair Wioleta Dusza, Asian Affairs Chairman Akram Chaudhary, Vice Chairman Deepak Bansal, Executive Director Own Naqvi, Harry Malhotra from Supervisor Joe Saladino's office were there to honor the team with the presence and thank the community. United States Senator Chuck Schumer sent Citations with Tandeep Kaur for the team and celebrity performers.
There were 55 vendors selling clothing, jewelry, sweets, and lots of vendors were even showcasing their services and products. Laxmi was giving away Rice sample Bags, Hats in nice shopping bags. The food vendors were selling Desi food, like Chana Bhatura, Samosa Chaat, Falooda Kulfi, Biryani, Yaas Bubble Tea, and a lot more to offer.
The kids' section was sponsored by Patel Brothers. Children were having a blast with the games, rides, cotton candy, mango drinks, and ice cream.
The first prize for the raffle was a KIA car, which was won by Usha Tandon, and scores of other prizes delighted lots of people who bought the raffle tickets for $10 each.
United Mortgage was the Grand Sponsor with Richard Hernandez and Jyoti Sharma leading the team. The Gold sponsors were STI Consultants, Kunal Jewelers, Patel Brothers, Laxmi, and Jennifer Furniture.
Sherry Dutta and Satbir Bedi were the jewels of the stage, emcees, who thanked all the sponsors, team, and community all the time with an invitation to all for next year.
(All photos courtesy: Jasbir Jay Singh)
