BY KALYANI VASAN
GLENDALE, CA - A two-day Festival of India hosted by India Tourism, Los Angeles, was inaugurated by the Consul General of India-San Francisco, Venkatesan Ashok here on Feb 3. The location for the festival was the beautiful Americana at Brand quadrangle where invitees and visitors were treated to Indian music, dance, culture,
GLENDALE, CA - A two-day Festival of India hosted by India Tourism, Los Angeles, was inaugurated by the Consul General of India-San Francisco, Venkatesan Ashok here on Feb 3. The location for the festival was the beautiful Americana at Brand quadrangle where invitees and visitors were treated to Indian music, dance, culture,
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cuisine sampling, henna artists, a children’s coloring corner and much more.
CGI Venkatesan Ashok expressed how the Indian American community has grown over the last few decades. First came the workers from Punjab in search of farming jobs, followed by the business community from Gujarat. The third wave of immigrants from India comprised of professionals such as engineers, teachers, doctors and now technology and management experts. “Our community is now represented in multiple facets of life and gaining prominence and recognition as being in the top per capita earners in the USA.”
Sandhya Haridas, Assistant Director of India Tourism, Government of India, at the Los Angeles office stated that the US has been in the first position in tourist traffic to India in 2016. India is the second most visited Asian destination. In 2017alone an estimated 10 million foreign travelers headed to visit India. Considering these mind –boggling statistics, it is only apt that a festival of this scale take place here. Haridas went on to a video presentation for the travel trade highlighting the beauty of India and what it can offer the tourist in every region. While northern India is best known for the Taj Mahal and other forts and palaces, the lure of southern India lies in its miles and miles of pristine sandy beaches, inland waterways and temples with intricate architecture, holistic and healing experiences. On the logistics front, India has simplified the process of travelling in and out of its 25 tourist airports and three sea ports for cruise lovers. The availability of procuring an E Visa is so streamlined and attractive that the numbers continue to rise dramatically. Travel to India is now seamless and well-connected with new routes being enabled with increased frequency. To apply for an E-Visa go to: www. Indianvisaonline.gov.in. You can get an E-Visa in 72 hours at an affordable cost of $75 per person. . Simply upload a copy of your current passport along with a photograph matching the specifications listed on the website and wait to receive your electronic travel authorization. The E-Visa can be applied for 120 days prior to entering India and the least is four days prior to travel and it is double entry and the scheme can be used twice in a year.
The festival itself was a celebration of India for the travel trade and the public. Kiosks offering India brochures, maps, posters, bags and other giveaways were a big attraction to the attendees. Those in the trade and others were treated to a sumptuous Indian meal. Tour operators were on hand offering tour packages that ranged from trips to the Taj Mahal to cruises on the Ganges and safaris to the many jungles and forests brimming with wild life. All this occurred to the melodious sitar music being rendered by R. Lahiri. The next segment was a visual feast with the Lunasha Dance Company presenting dances set to Bollywood hit songs. All the while the talented henna artist created intricate works of art on delicate hands. Youngsters enjoyed crayon coloring just as parents were thrilled that their children got to enjoy the culture of a country that is half way across the globe in the green belt of this location in Glendale. The early evening saw a packed hall watching the Hollywood hit production of the Dev Patel starrer, `The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.’ On Feb 4, a one-hour yoga session by Armen Menechyan of Pack your Mat Company had folks stretching away. The yoga session was followed by an enthralling Bharatanatyam recital by dancers from the Rangoli Dance Company. A vibrant India Bazaar also showcased Indian dresses, spices, jewelry, rice and lentils. Air India, the official air carrier of India sponsored the festival. Pradeep Ganatra, Air India Manager West Coast and Neelaj Sharma, District Sales Manager gave away a round trip ticket for two to India. As the sun began to set, though the Incredible India exhibits were being removed, they were etched in the memory of visitors and others now determined to visit India.
CGI Venkatesan Ashok expressed how the Indian American community has grown over the last few decades. First came the workers from Punjab in search of farming jobs, followed by the business community from Gujarat. The third wave of immigrants from India comprised of professionals such as engineers, teachers, doctors and now technology and management experts. “Our community is now represented in multiple facets of life and gaining prominence and recognition as being in the top per capita earners in the USA.”
Sandhya Haridas, Assistant Director of India Tourism, Government of India, at the Los Angeles office stated that the US has been in the first position in tourist traffic to India in 2016. India is the second most visited Asian destination. In 2017alone an estimated 10 million foreign travelers headed to visit India. Considering these mind –boggling statistics, it is only apt that a festival of this scale take place here. Haridas went on to a video presentation for the travel trade highlighting the beauty of India and what it can offer the tourist in every region. While northern India is best known for the Taj Mahal and other forts and palaces, the lure of southern India lies in its miles and miles of pristine sandy beaches, inland waterways and temples with intricate architecture, holistic and healing experiences. On the logistics front, India has simplified the process of travelling in and out of its 25 tourist airports and three sea ports for cruise lovers. The availability of procuring an E Visa is so streamlined and attractive that the numbers continue to rise dramatically. Travel to India is now seamless and well-connected with new routes being enabled with increased frequency. To apply for an E-Visa go to: www. Indianvisaonline.gov.in. You can get an E-Visa in 72 hours at an affordable cost of $75 per person. . Simply upload a copy of your current passport along with a photograph matching the specifications listed on the website and wait to receive your electronic travel authorization. The E-Visa can be applied for 120 days prior to entering India and the least is four days prior to travel and it is double entry and the scheme can be used twice in a year.
The festival itself was a celebration of India for the travel trade and the public. Kiosks offering India brochures, maps, posters, bags and other giveaways were a big attraction to the attendees. Those in the trade and others were treated to a sumptuous Indian meal. Tour operators were on hand offering tour packages that ranged from trips to the Taj Mahal to cruises on the Ganges and safaris to the many jungles and forests brimming with wild life. All this occurred to the melodious sitar music being rendered by R. Lahiri. The next segment was a visual feast with the Lunasha Dance Company presenting dances set to Bollywood hit songs. All the while the talented henna artist created intricate works of art on delicate hands. Youngsters enjoyed crayon coloring just as parents were thrilled that their children got to enjoy the culture of a country that is half way across the globe in the green belt of this location in Glendale. The early evening saw a packed hall watching the Hollywood hit production of the Dev Patel starrer, `The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.’ On Feb 4, a one-hour yoga session by Armen Menechyan of Pack your Mat Company had folks stretching away. The yoga session was followed by an enthralling Bharatanatyam recital by dancers from the Rangoli Dance Company. A vibrant India Bazaar also showcased Indian dresses, spices, jewelry, rice and lentils. Air India, the official air carrier of India sponsored the festival. Pradeep Ganatra, Air India Manager West Coast and Neelaj Sharma, District Sales Manager gave away a round trip ticket for two to India. As the sun began to set, though the Incredible India exhibits were being removed, they were etched in the memory of visitors and others now determined to visit India.
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