Latest news with #AmandaSoll
Time of India
15 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
How a Boston couple turned Wall Street into a big fat Indian wedding: The jaw-dropping cost will leave you stunned
In an event that stopped both traffic and timelines, Varun Navani and Amanda Soll brought the grandeur of a big fat Indian wedding to the heart of New York City. With a traditional baraat —the groom's wedding procession—cascading down Wall Street, the couple quite literally shut down the most iconic financial street in the world. But it didn't come easy. The couple reportedly filed 28 permits to make their dream celebration possible, shelling out an eye-watering $25,000 to $66,000 (₹21 lakh to ₹56 lakh) per location, as per city records reviewed by the New York Post . That's not a wedding budget—it's a Wall Street-grade investment. The Couple Behind the Celebration So who are these headline-makers? Varun Navani is the CEO of Rolai, an AI platform helping people learn data science and machine learning. A Forbes 30 Under 30 alumnus (Boston, 2023), he brings innovation to the tech space. His bride, Amanda Soll, is no less accomplished—she serves as the Director of Legal Compliance and Risk Management at Mastercard. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track default , selected Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Hailing from Boston, the couple chose New York City as their wedding stage—and spared no expense turning it into a multi-day extravaganza. View this post on Instagram A post shared by DJ AJ (@djajmumbai) You Might Also Like: 'Indians everywhere...': Harsh Goenka reacts to viral Wall Street baraat video, netizens bring Trump into online chatter Music, Magic, and Manhattan The celebration began on May 23 at the Conrad Hotel with a welcome brunch and tea. That evening, guests gathered at The Glasshouse for a lively sangeet , filled with song and dance. But the real showstopper arrived on May 24, when Wall Street transformed into a dazzling baraat route. Videos now viral on social media show more than 400 guests dressed in traditional Indian attire dancing to the beats of dhols and DJ sets. Groom Varun arrived in a vintage white car, clad in a finely tailored ivory sherwani and layered pearl necklaces. Amanda stunned in a deep red Sabyasachi lehenga, epitomizing elegance and tradition. The baraat ended at Cipriani Wall Street, where the grand reception unfolded—running from 5:30 p.m. until the early morning hours. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Devarshi Shah (@devarshishah7) Two Traditions, One Celebration The cultural fusion didn't end with the baraat. On May 25, the couple hosted a Jewish wedding ceremony at Cipriani, paying tribute to Amanda's heritage. An after-party followed at Slate, keeping the festive energy alive until 4 a.m. The final farewell came on May 26 with a goodbye brunch. You Might Also Like: Wall Street turned into a dance floor for this unbelievable Indian wedding. Who are the bride and groom? Every detail—from venue choices to guest experiences—was thoughtfully curated to blend Indian and Jewish customs in a dazzling cityscape. Permits, Police, and Precision Pulling off a 400-person event in the middle of Lower Manhattan isn't simple. The city labeled it an 'extra-large' event, requiring extensive NYPD coordination and full block closures. The price tag—ranging between $25,000 and $66,000 (₹21–56 lakh) per permit—reflects the scale and ambition of the celebration. But far from celebrity status or royalty, Varun and Amanda are a reminder that modern professionals, too, can pull off events that feel straight out of a Bollywood fantasy—if they're willing to plan and pay accordingly. In a city known for deals, deadlines, and data, the Navani-Soll wedding gave Wall Street a rare glimpse of uninhibited joy. For a few magical hours, the financial capital of the world grooved to dhols, draped itself in dupattas, and welcomed tradition with open arms.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
What is Green Fee? Hawaii introduces first-of-its-kind tourist tax
In a landmark move, Hawaii has become the first U.S. state to implement a climate impact fee, introducing a new tax on tourists to support environmental initiatives. Announced on Tuesday, the fee is designed to fund climate change resiliency efforts and preserve the islands' natural resources. Also Read: Who are Varun Navani and Amanda Soll? Meet Indian couple whose baraat shut down Wall Street According to a press release by Governor Josh Green's office, the nation's first 'Green Fee,' Hawaii's Act 96, will increase the state's transient accommodations tax (TAT) by 0.75%, bringing the total to 11% on nightly lodging rates. Set to take effect on January 1, 2026, the added revenue will directly support climate resiliency and environmental protection efforts across the islands. The fee will apply to the travellers who will stay in hotels, short-term accommodations, and, for the first time, cruise ships. Previously exempt from the TAT, cruise ship passengers will now be included under the new law, which aims to promote 'equity across the tourism industry.' For travelers, the added cost on a $300 nightly hotel stay, the new 0.75% Green Fee amounts to just $2.25 per night, as reported by USA Today. The new Green Fee is designed to generate funding for climate change mitigation, environmental stewardship, hazard mitigation, sustainable tourism, invasive species control, wildlife conservation, beach management and restoration, and a green jobs youth corps. In a statement, Green said, 'As an island chain, Hawaii cannot wait for the next disaster to hit before taking action. We must build resiliency now, and the Green Fee will provide the necessary financing to ensure resources are available for our future." Also Read: Who is Robert Armstrong, columnist who coined the term Trump Always Chickens Out (TACO)? The new Green Fee tax is projected to generate around $100 million each year. While specific projects will be finalized in the next legislative session, the funds are slated to support a wide range of initiatives, including environmental stewardship, climate and hazard resiliency, and sustainable tourism across the Hawaiian Islands.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Wall Street turned into a dance floor for this unbelievable Indian wedding. Who are the bride and groom?
Varun Navani, CEO of AI platform Rolai and a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, married Amanda Soll, a legal compliance director at Mastercard, in a lavish multi-day wedding in New York City. Their celebration included a traditional Indian baraat that temporarily shut down Wall Street, drawing crowds and going viral online. The Boston-based couple hosted events across several venues, including Cipriani Wall Street and The Glasshouse, blending Indian and Jewish wedding traditions. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Meet the Couple: Accomplished Professionals from Boston Luxury and Tradition Combine Across Multiple Events Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Major Permits and Costs for a Major Celebration A grand Indian wedding took over Manhattan's Financial District last weekend, as the traditional baraat—a jubilant wedding procession—brought a full stop to the usually fast-paced Wall Street. The couple behind the widely circulated social media spectacle was identified as Varun Navani and Amanda Soll, both accomplished professionals based in gathered in the hundreds, dressed in glittering traditional attire, while music from a live DJ set the tone for an unforgettable celebration. The groom's arrival was marked by dancing, music, and vibrant decor, with videos showing onlookers visibly stunned by the transformation of Wall Street into a scene of celebration and Navani, originally from Gujarat, India, is the founder and CEO of Rolai, an enterprise artificial intelligence platform designed to help users master data analytics and machine learning. According to his professional background, Navani was recognized in Forbes 30 Under 30 Boston list in 2023 for his work in education and AI bride, Amanda Soll, works as the director of legal compliance and risk management at Mastercard. According to their LinkedIn profiles and confirmed through their wedding page on The Knot, the couple resides in Boston and chose New York City to host their multi-day wedding wedding kicked off on May 23 and stretched over four days, beginning with breakfast and afternoon tea at the Conrad Hotel. That evening, a sangeet—a music and dance celebration—was held at The headline event took place Saturday, when the baraat commenced at 3:30 p.m., followed by a grand reception at Cipriani Wall Street. For this traditional Indian wedding procession, Navani wore an ivory sherwani adorned with layered pearl necklaces. He arrived in a vintage white car, surrounded by friends and family dancing along the historic street. Soll wore a ruby red lehenga by famed Indian designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee, paired with gold jewelry and soft glam Wall Street, the reception venue, hosted guests from 5:30 p.m. until 2 a.m., continuing the celebratory mood into the early hours. The party resumed on Sunday with a Jewish wedding ceremony at the same location and an after-party at Slate, which lasted until 4 a.m. The events concluded Monday with a farewell brunch and wedding did more than just draw attention; it also demanded substantial planning and resources. The couple filed a total of 28 permits with the city, with each area closure in the Financial District estimated to cost between $25,000 and $66,000. According to city classifications, the baraat was labeled as an 'extra-large' event due to its size and logistical requirements, which included full block closures and NYPD speculation online about their wealth, the couple are not celebrities or billionaires—but their credentials and professional standing reflect the success that allowed for such a and Soll's wedding served as both a celebration of love and a cultural display that captivated locals and social media alike. With their blend of Indian and Jewish traditions, high-end fashion, and a major metropolitan backdrop, the couple created an unforgettable moment that briefly turned Wall Street into a place of joy, color, and cultural pride.
News18
3 days ago
- Business
- News18
Who Is Varun Navani, Indian-Origin Gujarati Techie Whose Baraat Brought Wall Street To A Halt?
Last Updated: Varun Navani, CEO of AI company Rolai, married Amanda Soll in an extravagant Indian wedding that shut down Wall Street, featuring 400 guests and viral videos. The groom of the Indian wedding that halted the Wall Street, a bustling hub in New York, for some time is a techie with Gujarati roots. Indian-origin Varun Navani is the CEO of an AI company, Rolai. The extravagant wedding gained all the limelight after videos from the event went viral on social media. The groom was also seen shaking a leg on Bollywood songs that echoed through the Wall Street. What made this event stand out from other Indian weddings taking place abroad was the Indian attire which was adopted by non-Indian guests too. About 400 guests attended the event, shutting down the Wall Street during the Baraat (wedding procession) ceremony. The video clips were also shared on Instagram by the DJ (@djajmumbai) at the wedding. Sharing the video, he wrote, 'We shut down Wall Street for a 400-person Baraat," shared their DJ, wrote alongside a clip of the epic moment. 'Who would've ever thought?! (sic)" According to media reports, the area can be rented for $11,000 with proper permits. The vibrant gathering adorned in designer clothes got the netizens wondering who the couple was. Varun Navani got hitched to Amanda Soll. The couple hails from Boston. While Varun is a techie, Amanda is a risk-management legal compliance director at MasterCard. All About Varun Navani Varun Navani is the founder and CEO of Rolai, an enterprise AI platform and adoption solution for higher ed institutions. Rolai helps users to learn data analytical skills through AI and machine learning. In a remarkable feat, Navani made it to the list in Forbes 30 under 30 from Boston in 2023, according to his LinkedIn bio. As per media reports, every region blocked for the wedding costed between $25,000 to $60,000 for pavements and roads of the 'Financial District'. The parade was termed as an 'extra large" event by the New York's Mayor Office. As per reports, Soll donned a red Sabyasachi lehenga as she celebrated the key event of her life with her family and friends. On the other hand, Navani wore an elegant ivory sherwani. He made a classic entry into the big-fat Indian wedding in a vintage white car with who seemed to be the groomsmen. This energy-filled event not only gained attention in India but across US too. Watch CNN-News18 here. News18's viral page features trending stories, videos, and memes, covering quirky incidents, social media buzz from india and around the world, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! Location : New York, United States of America (USA) First Published: May 30, 2025, 17:25 IST News viral Who Is Varun Navani, Indian-Origin Gujarati Techie Whose Baraat Brought Wall Street To A Halt?
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Wall Street becomes desi dance floor as 400-person 'baraat' shuts down Manhattan; meet the couple behind the viral video
A big, fat wedding has now become quite common in India, but what if we told you that people have now moved way forward from following the conventional wedding these days? Something similar was noticed recently when a grand Indian wedding procession with a pinch of desi celebration was taken to New York's iconic Wall Street. The wedding procession video is now doing the rounds on social media and has captivated the internet with its vibrant display. In the viral video, a procession or baraat (groom's wedding procession) of around 400 people is seen dancing on the streets of Lower Manhattan. Baraat at Wall Street: Wedding procession in New York goes viral The video has gone viral on the internet, which shows individuals present in the procession dressed in traditional Indian attire. Moreover, the group was seen dancing joyously to DJ beats, temporarily transforming New York's heart into a full-blown Indian wedding function. The DJ playing at the procession took to his Instagram and shared the video with a caption saying that they shut down Wall Street for a 400-person baraat—"Who would've ever thought?!" "A once-in-a-lifetime kind of magic," he added. But you must be wondering whose wedding it was that turned into an internet sensation overnight. Meet Varun Navani and Amanda Soll, whose baraat shut down Wall Street The groom of Wall Street has been identified as Varun Navani, who is the man behind the viral 400-member 'wedding procession.' Navani is reportedly the CRO of a tech company who originally belongs to Gujarat. Well, according to Financial Express, with complete permits, the area can be rented for $11,000 (INR 941,132.50). The bride, Amanda, is a risk-management legal compliance director at MasterCard. According to Post reports, the cost of the pavements and roadways in the "Financial District" in each area that was closed for the wedding ranged from $25,000 to $60,000 (21,38,937.50-51,33,450 INR). In order to afford and acquire more than 25 special permits, netizens speculated that "they must be billionaires." The Mayor's Office of New York categorised the baarat as a "extra large" event. Netizens react to the viral Wall Street procession As soon as the video surfaced on social media, netizens quickly shared the video and shared their thoughts. Some even trolled them, calling it 'utter nonsense'. While one wrote, "What is wrong with this? They have take permit, and if the city allows what's the issue?" "with all due respect there's nothing to debate since they had permits and its just mainlanders with a tendency to be outraged over ridiculous issues instead of things that actually matter," another added.
