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Friends of MP celebrates 7th annual picnic amid hurricane Helene’s impact
This year’s theme was “National Parks of MP.”
Event Venue / Courtesy Photo/FMPNYNJ
Undeterred by the remnants of Hurricane Helene, nearly 300 attendees gathered at Rosedale Park on Sep.28, for the 7th annual Friends of Madhya Pradesh New York New Jersey (FMPNYNJ) picnic. Despite the morning rain, the event saw close to full participation, with many families even placed on the waitlist.
The picnic, known for showcasing the authentic culture and cuisine of Madhya Pradesh (M.P.), featured a day filled with traditional food, activities, and a strong sense of community. The day began with a breakfast of Indore’s iconic poha, jalebi, and saboo dana wada, followed by a lunch of M.P. delicacies, including poori, shrikhand, and halwa, all served personally by volunteers.
This year’s theme, “National Parks of MP,” was brought to life with wildlife-themed booths and placards, transforming the venue into a vibrant celebration of the state’s natural heritage. The organizers also introduced a new “Host-Dost” program to make first-time attendees feel welcome by pairing them with seasoned families. Name tags featuring participants’ towns of origin from M.P. sparked nostalgic conversations and rekindled old connections.
Volunteers kept the crowd engaged with all-day activities, including antakshari, musical masti, cricket, little master chef, and tambola, catering to both children and seniors. Even with the wet weather, attendees enjoyed the lively games and cultural programs.
The picnic, known for showcasing the authentic culture and cuisine of Madhya Pradesh (M.P.), featured a day filled with traditional food, activities, and a strong sense of community. / Courtesy Photo/FMPNYNJA highlight of the afternoon was the performance by DJ Pi (Vivek Jain), whose energetic set, including the viral hit “Poha Poha” created specifically for the picnic, had attendees dancing in the rain with abandon. His popular track “Gotilo” was another crowd favorite, inspiring participants to shed their rain gear and join the festivities.
The Indian Consulate and leaders of various community organizations sent their best wishes for the event. Since its inception in 2015, FMPNYNJ’s annual picnic has evolved into a much-anticipated reunion for people from M.P., helping them rediscover and reconnect with old friends and neighbors.
A dedicated team of volunteers, including Jitendra Muchhal, Rajesh Mittal, Raj Bansal, Ajit Jain, and many others, worked tirelessly to ensure the success of the event, reinforcing the spirit of community and camaraderie that has become the hallmark of FMPNYNJ’s gatherings.
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