GROWING CLOUT OF INDIAN COMMUNITY
GEORGIA GOVERNOR PRESENT IN FESTIVAL OF INDIA
By Ravi R Ponangi
Atlanta, GA: Georgia Governor Nathan Deal’s presence in the
festival of India was reflective the growing clout of Indian
community in Georgia. Extolling Indian community for their
successful pursuit of the American dream, the Governor remarked,
“This is indeed a memorable event. It is a day of celebration.
Indian community is a vibrant one. You have contributed in a
diverse variety of professions and created opportunities galore
for young and aspiring people. You elected me Governor in 2010,
at a time of great depression. Our State lost hundreds of jobs.
Our economy faced an adverse impact from the downturn. But
zealously working with people in your community and people
across the State, we turned the State around. My goal was to
make Georgia a number one State. People thought it was nothing
short of a nice dream. In October, last year, Site Selection
magazine recognized Georgia as the most conducive State to do
business in. You are in the forefront in science, technology,
medicine etc. We together are working to make Georgia, a State
promising for our children and posterity in general. Almost a
whopping 300,000 jobs have been created in the last four years
in different areas.
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Recently I had the good fortune to visit South-East Georgia.,
where an Indian Company has set up a $70 million, highly
automated textile plant, which will create 250 jobs. Georgia is
witnessing a revival of textile industry. We welcome more
textile manufacturers.”
The Governor lauded the recently held India/Pakistan Health Fair
in Norcross, Georgia, which he had attended together with the
First Lady. It was a grand spectacle. First such Health Fair in
the U.S. orchestrated by Indians joining hands with their
Pakistani physician friends. It was a commendable opportunity to
see people working together and providing health care to the
needy. That is the ennobling kind of attitude your community
brings to the State. He said he was running for re-election and
needed community’s help. “Let us continue to take the State
forward and retain the number one status in the nation and in
the hearts and minds of our citizens.”
On his arrival, Georgia Governor Nathan Deal and the First Lady
were given a rousing traditional Indian welcome by the community
leaders as well as the audience.
Following the address, Governor presented an award to Ravi R
Ponangi, Atlanta Bureau chief of India Tribune for his continued
commendable contribution to the community. Other awardees
included Veena Rao; Sonal Parekh; Anjali Chhabria; and Raju
Kotak.
While introducing the Governor Nathan Deal and his wife Sandra,
IACA’s past President Kaushal Tripathi said Festival of India is
a celebration of 120,000 Indians living, and prospering in the
State of Georgia. Some of the community leaders who are also
entrepreneurs; C.B. Yadav; Narender Reddy; Dr. B.K. Mohan;
Sachin Shailendra; Paul Shailendra etc., have been appointed on
various Boards by Georgia Governor Deal. It is noteworthy that
more Indian-Americans have been appointed on the Boards by
Governor Deal than by any other Georgia Governor. “Governor Deal
is the most dynamic, business-friendly, job-creating Governor of
Georgia” he said.
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Ravi R Ponangi of India Tribune
receiving the award from the GA Governor |
Earlier, IACA President Nivedita Garabadu providing an update on
various activities of IACA said “The IACA entering into its 42nd
year is celebrating India’s 68th India’s Independence Day with
its signature event. We are humbled to commemorate this historic
occasion with Georgia Governor Nathan Deal and his gracious wife
Mrs. Sandra Deal. IACA’s mission is to share our rich heritage
and culture with Indian-Americans by hosting cultural events in
and around Atlanta. This year we celebrated Republic Day;
Valentine’s Day; hosted Atlanta Indian Idol contest; and are now
celebrating our annual Festival of India event. At IACA we seek
to facilitate a broader cross-cultural dialogue between Indian
Americans and the community around us. We seek to inform general
public about the needs and aspirations of our community. We seek
to serve as a home away from home for the community. With your
continued support and generosity we can accomplish all this and
much more”
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Robert Arnet presenting the new
edition of India Unveiled |
Festival of India, a mammoth event has been an integral part of
Atlanta Indian community and its supporters since 1997. Festival
of India has now become a much anticipated and widely
appreciated annual event, as it provides an invaluable glimpse
into the rich and vibrant culture and heritage of India to
Atlanta’s fast growing young Indian generation as well as to the
mainstream communities.
Rajyavardhan Rathore, a sitting Member of parliament from
Rajasthan, India and Vijay Jolly, Global Convener of Overseas of
BJP jointly declared open 18th Festival of India, a signature
event of India American Cultural association (IACA) on the
morning of Saturday, August 23 at Gwinnett Center. The festival
featured many salient aspects of the Indian culture, tradition
and language. Visitors to the festival tasted mouthwatering
Indian dishes at the food court. This year’s festival of India
featured the latest fashions of clothing, jewelry, and other
services in commercial booths.
Col (Retd).Rajyavardhan Rathore, a shooter, recipient of Padma
Shri, first Indian winner of Silver medal at the Olympics in
Athens and member of Lok Sabha, in his brief remarks said that
under new far-sighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi Indians
everywhere must strive and unite to reconstruct a new India.
Modi is not only India’s Prime Minister but also one of the tall
world leaders. He requested the Indian community to extend a
rousing welcome to him when he arrives in New York in September
2014 and also to share worthy ideas for good governance through
www.mygov.in website.
In his remarks, Shri Vijay Jolly, Global Convener of BJP
Overseas Affairs lauded the contribution of the Indians in the
U.S. and said that both Modi and Amit Shah have appealed to you
all to continue further strengthening the Indo-U.S. relations in
all spheres. Modi stoutly believes in his visionary poll slogan
sabka saath, sabka vikas (together with all, development for
all). BJP’s 41 Chapters across the globe will help Modi fulfill
his visionary goal.
An entertaining program comprising of an exciting variety of
songs and dances were presented by talented participants in
colorful Indian costumess. Items ranged from devotional and
patriotic to Indian Idol. A spectacular classical fusion Dance
choreographed by Siddarth Kelam was performed by students of
Kalaivani Dance and Music Academy in Atlanta.
In a fashion show that followed, models strutted on stage with
poise, elegance and grace. They showcased the latest in designer
outfits and trendy accessories.
Prof. Jagdish Sheth of Sheth Foundation facilitated the
screening of a movie, “The Wisdom Tree’, a seamless blend of
quantum physics, spirituality, art, music and neuroscience.
The panel discussion titled "Demystifying the College Admission
Process, Tips from the Experts” took place at 2.30pm in the
conference room just outside the main auditorium. Topics covered
included standardized testing, selecting the right college, how
to write a good college essay, creating the right resume,
college scholarships, and financial advice for college savings.
The panel discussion lasted for 1 hour with enthusiastic parents
and students present. Kids activities were also arranged that
included Cricket net; Hula hoops; Mehendi, beauty care and
center for puppetry Arts.
IACA donated part of the proceeds from the Beauty Pageant to the
Winship Cancer Institute at Emory University.
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