IACA Celebrates India’s 66th Republic Day with great joy and patriotic fervor

TEXT and PICS. By Mahadev Desai

India American Cultural Association (IACA) celebrated India’s 66th Republic Day with great joy, patriotic fervor and national pride on Sunday January 25, 2015. The celebrations were attended by representatives of various Atlanta community Organizations, past and present IACA Board of Governors and Executive Committee members, IACA members and was graced by the presence of the Chief Guest, Consul General of India in Atlanta, Hon.Ajit Kumar.

Upon his arrival, Ajit Kumar was greeted by the IACA members and then IACA Miss Georgia 2014 Anu Romesh performed his traditional swagatam ceremony. As the sun shone down on Atlanta, Hon.Ajit Kumar unfurled the Tricolor in presence of the attendees amidst ecstatic shouting of ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ and ‘Jai Hind’. This was followed by fervent renditions of the U.S.National Anthem by Anu Romesh, followed by Indian National Anthem, ‘Jana Gana Mana’ by the assembled dignitaries.

The celebrations continued in the auditorium. The program was emceed by IACA Vice President Rina Gupta and Darshan Kaur. In his welcome address, IACA’s current President Vishwanath Ganti welcomed all and highlighted the beginning of the drafting of the Constitution of India by the founding father Shri Ambedkar. He also briefly dwelled into the history of IACA and its objectives of promoting and preserving the culture, values and the great history of India by involving the communities and the children in particular. He then invited Sanatan Mandir’s priest Acharya Pramod Padhiji and Shadabbhai to address the audience and spread a message of peace and harmonious living and inculcate a lasting value system in everyone’s life.
Acharya Padhiji spoke about Sanatan Dharma and requested all to respect each other’s faith, religion and learn to live and let live.
Shadabbhai narrated a brief but interesting history of India’s freedom struggle. Speaking in Hindi/Urdu, he said,that all Indians were involved in the struggle of independence that started way back in 1799.  The second wave started in 1857.Shaikh Abdul Aziz, a 1700s scholar, preached that Islam is against slavery and encouraged his followers to participate in the efforts to seek India’s independence from the British rule. The Shaikh conveyed to his congregants the message that we as Indians share our happiness and sorrow, so we should also fight together to achieve our common goal of freedom for foreign rule. So our republic was established based on secularism that promotes peace and tranquility amongst all of us. This aspect of our constitution is a blessing for all of us and it is the key to our success. If we all respect it than we all will benefit from it and it will lead us to sustainable success.
 
 

Shruthilaya’s Founder Kala Vasudevan‘s well-trained young students entertained the audience with three songs with patriotic flavor-Vande Mataram; Pyara Hindustan Hai; and Tan Man Dhan Se.
Bubbly emcees engaged the audience, especially the children into an instructive and amusing Trivia quiz on India’s Constitution, State with highest population, name of the first President of India, etc. The questions were interspersed between various performances. Prizes were given out by the IACA Past President Nivedita Garabadu to those who gave correct answers. The emcees cheerful rapport with the audience made this item an exciting and enjoyable one.
Mahek Dance Academy’s five students performed a peppy dance to India Waale (Happy New Year), with youthful exuberance.
Sreevidya Academy’s students sang two rousing patriotic songs Hum honge kaamyaab and Nanha munna rahi hoon.
Speaking on the occasion, Ajit Kumar said, “I am very grateful for the invitation. India attained its independence on 15th August 1947. After three years, one of the finest Constitutions came into force on 26th January 1950. Hence the Republic Day is celebrated on 26th January each year ever since. I must confess that my father as member of the Constituent Assembly also contributed to the Constitution. (Applause) India is world’s largest democracy. ‘What have we achieved in 65 years after Independence? ‘Today we have maintained and nurtured our democracy.” Ajit Kumar referred to the successful elections in India which brought in the new Government led by Prime Min.Modi.” India is a unique country that has three main strengths: Democracy, demographic dividend and demand. Democracy: India has evolved as the world’s largest democracy. It is very vibrant. There is no precedent in the world of a democracy of more than a billion people.
Demographic dividend: India is an ancient civilization but a young nation. India has nearly 50% of its population below the age of 25 as one of the lowest average for its working population. India’s Prime Minister Modi has stressed education and skills training to empower the youth and working population.
Demand: India’s strong economic growth will ensure a strong demand for all kinds of goods and services.
India is the third biggest economy in terms of purchasing power parity (PPP).IMF and the World Bank has predicted that that India’s GDP growth would overtake China in 2016 and 2017. (Applause).
Ajit Kumar spoke briefly on Indo-US strategic relations. As we speak today President of USA, is in New Delhi. He is the first US President to be the Chief Guest at today’s Republic Day in New Delhi where he witnessed the first majestic parade showcasing India’s military capability and rich cultural heritage. Just today President Obama and Prime Min.Modi had a meeting where far –reaching agreements in defense field, in energy field and several other fields including economy, because economy is very important. India and U.S. have already done trade in goods and services together of about $100 billion. The aim is to raise it fivefold to about 500 billion dollars. They have also touched upon global subjects like fight against terrorism, fight against climate change and other important topics.

Next I want to mention the role of the Indian-American community. The Indian-American community is pride of India.You have raised the image of India so much that it has made the task of diplomats like me much easier.(Applause)We would like the Indian-American community and Indian diaspora to contribute to the growth of India. I have been pleased to note that a sizeable contingent from Atlanta and South East went to India to participate in this year’s Pravasi Bharatiya Divas and also Vibrant Gujarat Business Summit. I would like to thank all those individuals who went there. I would also like to commend Modi’s Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan so that India can be cleaner and India can be more healthy.
On behalf of the Consulate General of India in Atlanta I wish you a very happy Republic Day.”
The audience was then treated to a riveting video presentation on ‘Make In India’.
Ganti felicitated Ajit Kumar by presenting him a shawl.(Applause)

IACA Board member Kaushal Tripathi extolled Ajit Kumar’s genial nature and his warm rapport with the Atlanta community. He said that he and his Consulate staff have been very helpful in rendering courteous, and efficient services.(Applause)
Shubhadeep Roy sang a patriotic song to the accompaniment of guitar. The song composed by his father (his Guru) was dedicated to all who are staying away from India but whose heart is still there. Roy also sang a poem Amir-Garib composed by him. The message was that whether rich or poor, all are human beings and should be treated alike.
Sujay Roy; Thejase Suhantanand Subarno Dutta gave highly impressive keyboard performances to songs from Bollywood’s popular movies Chennai Express; Roja and The three idiots, respectively.
Shweta dance group’s energetic bhangra dance had the audience clapping and tapping their feet!
The students of Surabhi School of Music and Arts sang two more patriotic songs Vande Mataram and ever popular Jai Ho.
Syam Yellamraju and IACA Past President Padma Rallapalli helped with the sound management.

In her Vote of Thanks, Nivedita thanked Hon.Ajit Kumar, IACA’s Founding fathers and past and present Officials,media;Girish Modi;inspiring Speakers, all the Dance, song and music Academies and their students; Chaitanya Bhatt, and food sponsor Haldirams for attending and making the celebrations a memorable event.
Delicious refreshments and beverages were served to all at the end of the program.