Exclusive: The 6th Annual Red Saree Event was hosted by Bolo Behen (Speak Sister). Bolo Behen is an initiative of Hudson Speaks Against Sexual Violence which offers free services for South Asian women in Hudson County who are experiencing domestic and sexual violence with mission to create a safe space with a full range of culturally sensitive and language-specific information, support services and advocacy.
Hudson Speaks’ Senior Program Coordinator Dr. Bishnu Maya Pariyar delivered welcome speech while Hudson Speaks’ Outreach Coordinator Natalie Akel presented introduction of services offered by Hudson Speaks. The event was moderated by youth leader and Data Specialist Aishwarya Sharma and Registered Nurse Ramana Bhatta.
The distinguished guest speakers were Chief guest and senior actress of Nepali film industry Bashundhara Bhusal; Keynote Speaker and New Jersey State Assemblywoman Angela V. McKnight; City of Jersey City Councilwoman for Ward-B Mira Prinz-Arey; Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Captain Javier Toro; Department of Children and Families (DCF), Division of Women & Children, State of NJ, Specialist Karen Escalante; The New Jersey Coalition Against Sexual Assault (NJ CASA), Co-Director Dr. Denise Rodrigues; City of Jersey City Women’s Advisory Board, Chair Tami W Henry; City of Jersey City Health & Human Services, Director Stacey Lea Flanagan; Fernandes Initiatives, President Denise Fernandes; Inspired by You, founder Santeresa; Nepali Diaspora Alliance (NDA), General Secretary Pradeep Pariyar Thapa; and Khasokhas, Editor-in-Chief Kishor Panthi.
During the event, Nepali journalist and Sub-Editor of Kantipur daily Jagdishor Panday was honored by Council President Joyce Watermann with city citation.
Likewise, Hudson Speaks’ Senior Program Coordinator Dr. Bishnu Maya Pariyar was honored by Inspired by You.
Welcome group dance was presented by the artists from Basant Dance Center which was choreographed by Vijay Man Nakarmi, prominent choreographer of Nepali film industry and founder of Basant Dance Center, New York.
Artists were Hridayashi Dangol, Katyayeni Shah, Kohinoor Shrestha, Niva Shrestha, Sanjina Ranjit, Divya Paudel, Durga Khatri, Yasoda Guni, Baishali Shrestha and Krishna Shrestha.
Beautiful dance performances were presented by Senior Nepali actress Basundhara Bhusal, Mahadev Tripathi, Kabina Singh, Basanti Rai, Ranjita Gurung and Shriya Chapagain while senior Nepali singer Bima Kumari Dura, Nisha Sunar and Zara Reet Prasain entertained with their songs.
Typical Nepali and South Asian food were served during the event.
Read full news at: https://www.nepalism.com/post/the-red-saree-event-2023-hosted-in-jersey-city