BY MANSI MOTWANI
ORANGE, CA - Nearly 250 people came together on Jan 21 to celebrate India’s Republic Day. India became a Republic on Jan 26, 1950. The event was organized by the India Association of Southern California and was held at Tandoor Cuisine of India here. Celebrations commenced with a social hour. Around noon, guests and...
ORANGE, CA - Nearly 250 people came together on Jan 21 to celebrate India’s Republic Day. India became a Republic on Jan 26, 1950. The event was organized by the India Association of Southern California and was held at Tandoor Cuisine of India here. Celebrations commenced with a social hour. Around noon, guests and...
members of the association lined up for a Freedom Parade. Children and adults together waved flags of the US, California and India, holding placards which read ‘Jai Hind’ and ‘Happy Republic Day’ and shouted slogans like ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ and ‘Vande Mataram’. After the parade, still waving flags, everybody rose for the singing of the Indian and American national anthems.
Fifth-time mayor of the City of Artesia Sally Flowers was present at the event. Flowers along with committee officials inaugurated the program with the lighting of the lamp. “On behalf of the city and the city council, it is my honor to be here and celebrate the day India’s Constitution came into effect. Together, let us honor it and celebrate the color, the talents and the brilliant accomplishments of the beautiful people of the Republic of India,” said Flowers. Committee members then shared a few words on the significance of India’s Republic Day.Those who spoke included Nila Parikh, Aparna Hande, Ravi Vishwanath, Ramesh Mahajan .
Mahajan said, “The single most important thing for Indo-Americans to do is to get involved in politics. Not just politics of the city like the city council, but all the way up to Washington.’’
The celebration was also attended by California State Senator Tony Mendoza. Addressing the gathering he said, “I am so amazed and so in awe of seeing the cultural richness of India and how your community has been able to bring that into the United States. Even though you left your homeland and are here starting a new life, you never forget where you come from, you always are proud of who you are. You are a very special people, you’ve done so much for this country. Your kids deserve to be proud of who they are. Thank you for always inviting me, including me and treating me like family because that’s what I feel like every time I’m here.” Committee members were presented with certificates of recognition by the Senator for ‘their efforts in highlighting the importance of India’s national holiday’. The cultural segment was kick started by a classical dance on a song written by committee member Kamini Khare - “O Bharat ki dharti Maa, tujhe mera pranaam”. Khare was the emcee for the event. Other classical dances were presented by students of a number of local dance academies . Following these performances were passionate poem recitals revolving around India’s Independence from the British rule and the freedom fighters that fought for the same. Writer,activist and committee member Kamlesh Chauhan also recited poetry which saluted soldiers of the Indian Army willing to sacrifice their lives for the safety of their country and its people. In her recitation, she also condemned wars ignited by religious differences and urged everyone to give precedence to humanity. The event wrapped up with a sumptuous lunch enjoyed by the guests.
Fifth-time mayor of the City of Artesia Sally Flowers was present at the event. Flowers along with committee officials inaugurated the program with the lighting of the lamp. “On behalf of the city and the city council, it is my honor to be here and celebrate the day India’s Constitution came into effect. Together, let us honor it and celebrate the color, the talents and the brilliant accomplishments of the beautiful people of the Republic of India,” said Flowers. Committee members then shared a few words on the significance of India’s Republic Day.Those who spoke included Nila Parikh, Aparna Hande, Ravi Vishwanath, Ramesh Mahajan .
Mahajan said, “The single most important thing for Indo-Americans to do is to get involved in politics. Not just politics of the city like the city council, but all the way up to Washington.’’
The celebration was also attended by California State Senator Tony Mendoza. Addressing the gathering he said, “I am so amazed and so in awe of seeing the cultural richness of India and how your community has been able to bring that into the United States. Even though you left your homeland and are here starting a new life, you never forget where you come from, you always are proud of who you are. You are a very special people, you’ve done so much for this country. Your kids deserve to be proud of who they are. Thank you for always inviting me, including me and treating me like family because that’s what I feel like every time I’m here.” Committee members were presented with certificates of recognition by the Senator for ‘their efforts in highlighting the importance of India’s national holiday’. The cultural segment was kick started by a classical dance on a song written by committee member Kamini Khare - “O Bharat ki dharti Maa, tujhe mera pranaam”. Khare was the emcee for the event. Other classical dances were presented by students of a number of local dance academies . Following these performances were passionate poem recitals revolving around India’s Independence from the British rule and the freedom fighters that fought for the same. Writer,activist and committee member Kamlesh Chauhan also recited poetry which saluted soldiers of the Indian Army willing to sacrifice their lives for the safety of their country and its people. In her recitation, she also condemned wars ignited by religious differences and urged everyone to give precedence to humanity. The event wrapped up with a sumptuous lunch enjoyed by the guests.