By Aashna Shah
This past weekend, I had the privilege of attending and performing at the biennial India Day celebration at the Syosset Public Library in New York.
From the moment the event began, there was a strong sense of excitement and pride in the room. This year’s program focused on the different eras of India, and being part of a performance that brought history to life made it especially meaningful for me. Whether it was through dancing, acting in skits, or participating in the Q&A segment, every moment felt like a celebration of culture and identity.
What made this experience even more personal was the people I shared it with. Everyone involved put in so much time and effort, and seeing it all come together in front of a live audience was incredibly rewarding. The dances blended classical and modern styles, the skits added humor and storytelling, and the Q&A portion allowed the audience to actively engage and learn more about India.
A huge part of what made the event run so smoothly was the group of MCs, who kept the energy high and the program flowing seamlessly. Their presence helped tie everything together and kept the audience engaged throughout.
The feedback we received was overwhelmingly positive, and it was clear that the audience appreciated both the educational and entertaining aspects of the program. For me, this event was a chance to connect with my roots, collaborate with friends, and contribute to something that brought our community together.
It’s moments like these that make me grateful to be part of such a vibrant and supportive community, and I’m already looking forward to the next one.
MC Reflections:
“Honestly, it was really cool seeing everything come together and watching the audience actually get into it.” - Nitin Rajagopalan
“I liked being able to keep the energy up and make sure everyone was having a good time.” - Sanvi Nair
“ It was actually really fun, especially getting to interact with the crowd and keep things moving.” - Samyuktha Iyer
“Being on stage and hearing the audience react in real time was probably the best part.” - Samarth Motaganahalli
“The Q&A was fun because people were actually answering and getting into it.” - Naren Ranganathan
Aashna Shah is an Indian American sophomore at Syosset High School interested in business and storytelling. She hopes to use the Kaleidoscope as a pathway to uplift underserved communities. She serves as the Submission Coordinator for Kaleidoscope, where she helps curate and elevate youth voices through storytelling.
