Brooklyn DA Eric Gonzalez joins honorees to light Diya at second Diwali celebration

District Attorney Eric Gonzalez joined colorfully dressed celebrants to mark his office’s Second Diwali commemoration under the theme “Celebrating Pioneers of Progress. The blissfully event in the auditorium of NYC College of Technology, on Oct. 23, came alive with music, dance, and the elements of good over evil.

Gonzalez, the first Latino to hold the prestigious position in Brooklyn, presented Proclamations to Acting Justice, Supreme Court Raja Rajeswari, Executive Director Sakhi for South Asian Survivors, Senior Priest – Spiritual Leader, Acharya Arun Gossai, Bhauvaneshwar Mandir, Inc. and International Dancer Zaman, Zamandari LLC. A special Proclamation honor was also extended to Guyanese-heritage, CBS TV Reporter Jennifer Bisram, who served as emcee.

“I am delighted to welcome you to the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office annual Diwali celebration,” said Gonzalez.

“This evening we celebrate the rich and diverse cultural heritage of the South Asian community, which has played a vital role in shaping our borough, city, and nation,” added DA Gonzalez.

In recognizing the significant contributions and accomplishments of Americans of South Asian descent, DA Gonzalez applauded the professionals whose dedication and achievements, “inspire us all.”

“This celebration is an important way of reaching out to the community and reflecting on the message of hope and unity and triumph of goodness over evil. We fight for victims and survivors of crime but at the same time, when people stray off the course, we try to get them back onto the path of goodness. We work together every day so we can have a safer and fairer justice system,” said Gonzalez, who joined the honorees on stage to light the symbolic Diya.

“I am grateful to all the honorees. Let’s continue to build unity together. Thanks to everyone for coming out, to tonight’s celebration,” he added.

The observance of the rich Indian cultural heritage, commenced with a reception in the foyer, where cultural fare was served to a diverse group of celebrants.

From left: Honoree, Acting Justice, Supreme Court, Hon. Raja Rajeswari, Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, Executive Director, Sakhi for South Asian Survivors, Kavita Mehra, and Senior Priest – Spiritual Leader Bhuvaneshwar Mandir, Inc, Acharya Arun Gossai, at the DA’s Office second Diwali celebration on Oct. 23, at NYC College of Technology in Brooklyn. Photo by Tangerine Clarke

In her inspiring keynote speech, Judge Raja Rajeswari, who was born in Chennai, South India and migrated to America at age sixteen, the first South Asian woman to become a judge in New York spoke passionately of being among the pioneers of progress who were honored, noting the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion, not only in the office of DA Gonzalez, but in Brooklyn.

The Justice, calling Brooklyn a wonderful borough where she grew up, and was a classical Indian dancer alongside her mother, thanked DA Gonzalez for highlighting the incredible festival of Diwali, of music, dance, artistry, culture and food, the audience enjoyed, she described as the sweets and sounds of the festival, of lights and knowledge.

The honors graduate, who served as Deputy Bureau Chief of Sex Crimes Special Victims Bureau, and the first Indian American woman to be appointed to Criminal Court in the history of NY, a cancer survivor, and a victim of domestic violence, stood strong as an outstanding human being, deserving of the honor she received.

“New York City is one of the most amazing cities on the planet. As a young child from India, I always dreamed of coming to New York City. New York has opened its heart, and home to a young immigrant like me and paved the way for many others to make our dreams come through, so when I became a judge, my first initiative was to make sure we improve language access for all immigrants, in New York City, regardless of their financial status, said the professional, who has worked with the staff of the DA’s office on how they want to address inequality, they are the pioneers,” said Rajeswari.

“It is a journey from darkness to light, from ignorance to illumination, the more you know, the less you hate, emphasized the acting Justice of the Supreme Court, who serves as chair of the NYC Criminal Court Equal Justice Committee,” she added.

The outstanding commemoration that opening with remraks remarks from ADA Prabhalya Pulin, and planned by Senior Operations Officer of Public Engagement, Karen Crawford, and others, showcased the versatility of the boundless Indian culture, against the backdrop of a picture of an illuminate Diya.

The colorfully dressed little dancers of the Anja Dance Company put on quite a show. Their performance made way for the Ashok’s group Narakasura Vadha (Victory over Good over Evil) Telugu Community of New York & Long Island, who put on a spirited choreography and Skit.

Honoree, Zaman the International Dancer, elegantly dressed in a blue sequined Indian outfit, along with dancers, brought the audience to its feet, with an exciting fusion of traditional Indian movement.

The closing remarks by ADA Pious Ahajua, summed up the evening of riveting culture, unity, and the symbol of Diwali, that comes from the Sanskrit word Deepavali, meaning row of lights. It marks the triumph of light over darkness, of good over evil, celebrated on the Hindu calendar.

Others in attendance, were Japneet Singh, office of Public Advocate, Jumaane Williams, Jennifer Viechweg Horsford, office of Senator Roxanne Persaud, 19th Senatorial District, and Spiritual leaders who issued a Hindu prayer to bless the proceedings.