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The 11th Global Mela attracted over 15,000 community members at the Global Mall in Norcross, Georgia on Saturday and Sunday, October 27 and 28, 2012. The mammoth Mela, which has become the largest free carnival event for the South Asian community in the Southeast, was graced by the presence of the Chief Guest, Consul General of India in Atlanta,Hon.Ajit Kumar,, the City of Norcross Mayor, Bucky Johnson, and Chairman at Morsberger Group and visionary re-developer based in Lawrenceville, Emory Morsberger; the Chairman of Gandhi Foundation of USA Subash Razdan; Atlanta hotelier and immediate past Chairman of Asian American Hotel Owners Association(AAHOA) Chandrakant(CK) Patel; Consulate staff and media representatives.

The dignitaries accompanied by Global Mall owner and hosts Shiv Aggarwal and his family, cheerfully greeted and intermingled with each other and the Mela visitors. After cool and composed emcee, Kiran Sethi welcomed all, Shiv Mandir’s priest Pandit Gyan Prakash Upadhyay performed Lord Ganesh pooja ceremony chanting auspicious shlokas to invoke God’s blessings.Hon.Ajit Kumar, Bucky Johnson, Emory Morsberger, Subash Razdan and CK Patel flanked by Shiv Aggarwal, his wife Anushi, son Vishal, and daughters Aarti and Vandana lighted the diya (lamp).
 

Nritya Natya Kala Students in a Rajasthani folk dance.

Aggarwal welcomed all and recognized CGI, Atlanta, Ajit Kumar. “I feel very happy and honored to welcome you to the Global Mela. We assure the Consulate which has been inaugurated recently, of our full support.” “Mayor Bucky Johnson has been bestowed with Public Service Award by the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce and he plays a very active role as a member of Gwinnett Clear and Beautiful.” “And Morsberger is an unsung hero. He has spearheaded Gwinnett Village Community Improvement Association as well as revitalization of Lawrenceville.” “Both the Chairman of Gandhi Foundation of USA and immediate Past Chairman of American Asian Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) respectively are prominent leaders and social activists.” Aggarwal also welcomed all the media representatives.
 

Responding Ajit Kumar said” This is a first occasion for me to attend one of the biggest Mela in the South East U.S.We just inaugurated the Consulate in Atlanta. Our basic purpose is to serve you all. Today EID is being celebrated in India. I wish Happy Eid to all. Festive season is ahead and I would like to wish Happy Diwali, Halloween and Christmas. Please enjoy the Mela”
Mayor Bucky Johnson remarked,” It is great to have you all here.You bring lot of energy, entrepreneurship and economic development to our area. I am honored to be part of all this. You always give me a warm welcome. I feel very much at home at Global Mall because it is a cultural, religious and social hub of the community. It is home for learning centers, banking, shopping, tasty cuisine, social and cultural gatherings. And all under one roof! It is amazing. I wish to thank Shiv, his family and staff for giving back to the community through this Global Mela. My best wishes to you all.”
After the dignitary guests and media representatives were seated, two welcome dances were presented by students of Hare Rama Hare Krishna, and three students Sarika Gupta,Samaica Deshetty and Pooja Vaidya of Nritya Natya Kala Bharati respectively.

 

Ladlee 'Bridal wear 'Fashion Show participants.

A section of the parking lot was festooned with balloons. Outside, near the entrance to the Mall; the children had plenty of fun and frolic on the giant inflatables run by Jumping Panda. Inside the Mall, Ashiana and Global Groceries did a brisk business serving mouthwatering pani-puri, samosas, chat, etc.Reena ice-cream was doing good too!
The visitors were courteously greeted by the Shiv family, Global Mall staff and volunteers. Harvadan Chokshi, Mayoor Patel and Global Mall staff manned the free raffles desk, and gave out over 200 free prizes over the weekend every hour around the clock, and on Sunday evening, Mega Prizes of a flat-screen T/V and other prizes (Tickets to Mika Singh Concert, Vonage Cell Phone) donated by Global Mall, Ladlee Clothing Boutique and Legacy Jewels respectively. Global Mall and Legacy Jewels had sponsored free popcorn,snowcones cotton candy and fun activities like face painting, balloon artistry, arts and crafts for the kids. DJ Bobby and dholis Simba,Jassi.Jasmit,Sumeet heightened the Mela ambience with throbbing, pulsating music and latest Bollywood chartbusters! The booth vendors selling Indian apparel, jewelry, toys, arts and handicrafts and services like travel,insurance,education, health and medicine, and not-for-profits like Ekal Vidyalaya, Art of Living Foundation,Radha Madhav Society, Gaudiya Vaishnav Association,etc.remained busy dealing with the throngs of visitors.

The cultural show was an added treat for the visitors! Lively entertainment was provided by Hare Rama Hare Krishna; Nritya Natya Kala Bharti, and Swarnad School of Music, to name a few. The young and talented students of Nritya Natya Kala Bharti who performed a variety of dance and music items choreographed by Kumud and Sandeep Savla, Directors of NNKB, were the dazzling highlight of the Global Mela! The young artists danced to the Discowale Kisko while the senior group danced to a classical fusion, like Desi Boys and Criminal.The girls also performed a scintillating Rajasthani folk dance. The NNKB music students gave scintillating singing and keyboard performances. Very young artists performed on keyboard while vocal group wowed the audience with a medley of latest Bollywood hits. Neha & Nevin Gregory on keyboard , Sang Ni Sa Ga Ma, -Main to kab se khadi is paar,Mere Dholna;while Apeksha Parikh Sang few popular hits like -Thode Badmash,Silsila Ye Chahat Ka, and Ye Ishq Haye.Dr Laxman Ramani rendered Ka Karun Sajani Aye na Balam and Jiya Patel Sang one of the latest hot favorit Tujme Rab Dikhta Hai All cultural show items also got repeated applause for mesmerizing performances.

On Sunday afternoon, Drusso’s Magic House entertained children and parents with a riveting magic show. This was followed with a Jewelry show ,emceed by Kiran Sethi and presented by Kiaan, where several young ladies showcased latest jewelry designs to the huge audience facing DJ Bobby’s music- stand. Finally the piece-de-resistance Fashion Show, by Hayal of Ladlee Clothing Boutique, where beautiful models wearing the latest in bridal wear, sarees and Indian costumes strutted with great poise, elegance and grace.

Well known and respected Global Mall owner, social activist and philanthropist Shiv Aggarwal commented,” Global Mela is our way of thanking the community for supporting Global Mall and our Indian cultural center. It is my passion, my vision and my goal to make everyone aware of our rich Indian Culture and heritage through such Melas.I would like to thank all the tenants, the vendors and the Raffle-Prizes donors. I wish to thank the media-T.V.Asia;India Tribune;Wownow.com;Atlantadunia;Khabar; NRIPULSE;Jan Darpan;Desh Videsh,Saathee and Garavi Gujarat. My special thanks to Vinod Devlia of Photography by Vinod, for his photography services in recording the entire event; Mayoor Patel, Lynn Rich, Doc McAlpine and the Global Mall staff and volunteers for ensuring smooth running of the Mela. The Police also deserve compliments for manning the parking lot. Finally, I would like to thank my entire family for their unbounding help and support in organizing this event. I am happy that the attendance at the Mela is increasing each year”
For more information about the Mall and to view photos of the event, please visit www.amsglobalmall.com   or the Facebook Page for Global Mall.