The importance to reach out to the global community was realised when Maharashtra showcased its rich culture and heritage at the world stage when it hosted events leading to Diwali celebrations at the Times Square in New York in 2013. Maharashtra had also enabled India to become the first Asian country to hold any such event for an international audience.
Buoyed by the success of its Times Square event in promoting Maharashtra as 365-day tourist destination, and with the realisation that a sustained campaign to project Maharashtra on the global map is necessary, Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) has decided to visit the Times Square in New York in a bigger, better and more informative event on 20 September, 2014.
Chhagan Bhujbal, Minister of Tourism, Government of Maharashtra, said, “I am glad to inform that Maharashtra Tourism has taken tremendous strides in opening itself up to the overseas market. Initiatives such as the Mega Event organised at Times Square in New York has made a definite impact on the number of overseas tourists visiting our state. And we look forward to boosting Maharashtra’s distinctive feature of being a 365-day tourist destination for both regular and business travellers as we visit Times Square once again this September.”
The event is of considerable importance because it is estimated that close to 350,000 pedestrians visit Times Square on a daily basis, and more than 100,000 Asians will be participating in the event. Maharashtra Mandals from across USA, Canada and Mexico and eminent Indian professionals from medical and legal fraternities will participate in a big number. The event has been scheduled in September to ensure that foreign tourists are made aware Maharashtra’s splendour, and accordingly can plan their visit in October which would ensure that they soak in the festivities of Diwali.
The event which has been planned to transform the alleys of Times Square will be publicized on digital, TV radio print media in USA. The concert will also display an orchestrated laser light show and fireworks on big screens. The cultural festival includes Indian food, dance, Diya/ Rangoli painting, Indian arts and crafts, fashion show, photo booths with ethnic outfits, celebrity Autograph/Photo Booth, Dahi Handi/Mallkhamb and a lot more.
The grand event will also see the excitement with a concert showcasing performances by some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry. A film of MTDC with the destinations of Maharashtra will be showcased on the jumbo screens around Times Square. Sari draping lessons, Henna (Mehendi) designs, placing of Gudis will be additional attractions at the event.