New York City has officially recognized the contributions of the Rajasthani-American community by proclaiming August 6, 2025, as “Rajasthan Association of North America (RANA) Day.” The historic announcement came during RANA’s Silver Jubilee celebrations at New York City Hall, where Mayor Eric Adams personally joined the ceremony to honor 25 years of cultural service, charitable work, and diaspora unity.
Deputy Commissioner Dilip Chauhan, who facilitated the proclamation, praised RANA’s role in strengthening ties between New York and the global Rajasthani diaspora. “For 25 years, RANA has championed culture, service, and community,” he said, extending congratulations on behalf of the city’s 8.5 million residents.
The event brought together an array of dignitaries, including senior city officials, diplomats, community leaders, and RANA’s past presidents and founders. Among them were KK Mehta, RANA’s founding president, and Prem Bhandari, current president, who called Mayor Adams’s presence “a sign of deep respect for millions of Rajasthani-origin people worldwide and the nearly 100 million residents of Rajasthan.”
Since its inception, RANA has grown into a cultural and philanthropic powerhouse. Its early work included a rainwater harvesting project with BITS Pilani, securing a $200,000 World Bank grant—one of the first diaspora-led development successes. Today, it supports causes such as Akshaya Patra’s school meal program, Ekal Vidyalaya’s rural education, Apna Ghar senior care, scholarships, and disaster relief. During the COVID-19 pandemic, RANA mobilized aid both in the U.S. and India, delivering oxygen concentrators, ventilators, and PPE kits, while volunteers served frontline workers in New York.
Prem Bhandari’s leadership also extends to Jaipur Foot USA, the only organization of its kind with zero administrative costs, ensuring every donated dollar goes directly to beneficiaries. The group has showcased its work globally at venues including the United Nations and Capitol Hill.
Mayor Adams commended RANA’s enduring impact on New York’s multicultural fabric, calling it a bridge between heritage and modern values. The proclamation of RANA Day stands as a lasting tribute to the organization’s mission—preserving culture, serving communities, and inspiring future generations of the Rajasthani diaspora.
