Secaucus, New Jersey · The Jewel of the Meadowlands
Entrepreneur. Civic servant. And quite possibly the loudest cheerleader Secaucus has ever had.
“Secaucus has it all. Culturally diverse, harmonious, safe and eco‑friendly.”
— Raj, who will tell you this whether you ask or not
Raj began his career as a banker with Citibank and JP Morgan Chase. In 1991 he traded the trading floor for the garment district and founded Citicraze Casualwear, a New York fashion apparel business he has run for more than three decades.
But ask anyone in Secaucus and they will tell you: the day job is only half the story. A long-time resident, Raj has spent years volunteering his time to the town he loves, from housing policy to library boards to festivals that fill Buchmuller Park with color, music and the smell of very good food.
He also writes about restaurants, films the town he lives in, mentors young entrepreneurs, and once lost thirty pounds in five months just to prove a point. In his words: “Is it easy? NO. Is it possible? YES.”
Volunteer appointments, taken seriously. As Raj puts it: this is about serving the residents of Secaucus, nothing more, nothing less.
State Commissioner
Appointed with the Lieutenant Governor's approval, Raj serves on the board that oversees affordable housing in town. He is a hands-on commissioner: reviewing budgets line by line and making sure residents hear about Section 8 application openings the moment they happen.
Vice President, Board of Trustees
Appointed by the Mayor to the board of the town's Library & Business Resource Center, Raj champions the library as a living room for the whole community, from trivia nights to meditation classes to small business resources.
Member & Event Organizer
With ICS, Raj helps bring the festivals he grew up with to the whole town: the annual Diwali Mela, Holi in the park, and Dandiya Dhamaka. Colors, food, music, dhol, dance, happy faces. Chaotically fun, exactly as intended.
A few things the town has said back.
Raj documents Secaucus the way other people document their vacations. Here is where to find him.
A few favorites from Raj Life in Style, where he writes about the food, the health lessons and the town he loves.
Thirty pounds in five months. No fads, just common sense on the plate. His line: “Is it easy? NO. Is it possible? YES.”
Read on the blog → FoodA tour of the city's tables, from Macao Trading Company's Chinese-Portuguese plates to the rooms worth dressing up for.
Read on the blog → CommunityHis case for showing up: why staying home behind a screen quietly hollows out a town, and what to do about it.
Read on the blog →The community traditions Raj shows up for, season after season. Still true in , and every year.
The Indian Caucus of Secaucus brings Holi to town: powder colors, water, music and a very cheerful mess.
Mill Creek Point ParkKids run the show: dozens of young vendors selling their own creations. Raj has judged and championed this one for years.
SecaucusThe whole town turns out for the festival of lights. Food, music, dance and diyas, brought by the Indian Caucus of Secaucus.
Buchmuller ParkSticks up, music loud. Garba and dandiya raas for every skill level, two left feet welcome.
Secaucus Recreation Center
Citicraze Casualwear, Inc. Women's fashion apparel, founded 1991. Three decades of sourcing, importing and selling casual wear, with roots in the New York garment district and headquarters at Harmon Cove in Secaucus.
For town matters, community events, or a strong opinion about
where to get the best meal in Hudson County.