The festival of India was held in three parts, Beauty pageant, Independence Day celebration and two-day Festival of India. The triple events were celebrated with great enthusiasm, patriotic feelings, revelry, fun and gaiety drawing huge crowds.
The 17th Festival of India kicked off with a glamorous beauty pageant in mid of July where 25 girls participated and show cased their talents. Auditorium was fully packed on that day. It was a parade of beautiful young women showcasing their grace and talent, as well as several entertaining performances in between the pageant walks.
It was followed by a flag hoisting celebration of India’s national flag on August 17 at IACA, Smyrna – a day after India’s Independence Day - with a soul-stirring lecture on “India after 66 years of Independence” by Swami Adhyatmananda, President of Divine Life Society, Ahmadabad, India.
India has become a beacon light of power and glory after 66 years of Independence, said Swami Adhyatmananda.
Swamiji thoughtfully redefined the term “Bharat”. Swamiji said Bha means light, vigor, power, energy, knowledge etc., in Sanskrit language. Bha (knowledge) is inner cover and “rat” is outer cover where knowledge is enveloped like a veggie wrap.

Continuing his message Swamiji said, now we are celebrating 66 years of independence. The current scenario of India, Bharat is known to all. Unfortunately we know only which comes through media. Again unfortunately the media is being purchased by different agencies to spread so much disinformation to the world. Swamiji explained in detail how India is progressing on various fronts like surplus food supplies, industrialization, education health etc., for the last 66 years. India is on the ascendant standing firm and obdurate. A day will come when India will rule world, Swamiji said.
Earlier, India might have been a country of snake charmers that used to bring snakes, monkeys and bears on to the roads. Now young Indian engineers are creating magic with mouse. The whole world, especially America is depending on our young Indian Engineers, who are adroitly handling mouse.
From evening 7 to morning 7 America is dependent on Indian IT professionals. What a marvelous change. More and more universities are springing up. Education is flourishing. Food is available aplenty. We are having so many diverse cultures and languages. But now the India is coming out of its narrow shells. The Sikh boy is wedding a Tamil girl. A Tamil boy is wedding a Marathi girl. A Bengali girl is wedding a Telugu boy. What a remarkable transformation.
Swamiji said India has become so luminous after 66 years of Independence. Our young Indians are thinking what we can accomplish. Now each Indian does not think what I can do for my country. They are thinking how I can compete with Americans. How can India compete with Germany. India is a country of multifarious cultures, customs, practices and languages. But Indians have abundant love for one another. There is no clash as clash is only at political level.
India has made tremendous progress on education and health services. India has the best medical services and from all corners of the world people are coming to India for surgeries. The health services are economical and affordable. Our hospitals are paradise for moneyed people - those who come from west. Cleanliness is there; proficiency is there; Expertise is there.
India has got so much light. That light is extra- ordinary. It is the light of the East giving the light and wisdom, eternity and peace to the rest of the world. World is looking to India. Something is there in India. Thousands of people are meditating, practicing yoga, reading Bhagavad-Gita, studying Upanishads and Vedas. The secret wisdom of India has been translated into many western languages, because that is what is lacking in the west.
Plenty of money is there. Plenty of enthusiasm is there. Plenty of food is there. Plenty of liquor also is there. Plenty of vandalism is also there. India has undeniably got all these things. But one more thing is there – sagacious discrimination, commendable patience and some immortal values.
India is slowly becoming a beacon light to whole of the world. In conclusion, Swamiji exhorted the audience not to give up an opportunity for service to known or unknown. This is what India has offered, India is offering and India unceasingly continues to offer.
The grand finale of Festival of India was multiple programs on August 24 and 25 held at Gwinnett Civic Center. Throughout the day attendees enjoyed a mix of Bollywood and folk dances, songs and musical shows. It was a grand culmination of a series of celebrations spread through July and August and is the most splendid of them all.
IACA, an umbrella association of Indian American community, organized FOI with the support of local organizations
Festival of India hosted by IACA brought together 5000 visitors, not only Indians but also other nationals in and around Atlanta, at one venue, celebrating culture, demonstrating unity and displaying activities. The event was held at Gwinnet Civic Center. Festival of India offered shopping booths for Garments, Jewelry, Handicrafts, House wares, Paintings, Books, and Cuisine from different restaurants.
Apart from the above, a couple of seminars and competitions were held. Health seminar on diabetes drew good attendance and many young boys participated in cooking competitions. Health fair was held where doctors from various specialties screened the uninsured.
The Festival of India was graced by the presence of Veteran Indian social activist and crusader against corruption Anna Hazare, Congressman Jack Kingston (R-Savannah, Georgia), Consul General of India at Atlanta, Ajit Kumar, Josephine Tan, PhD, Former Chairperson, Asian American Commission for A New Georgia and Swami Ishatmananda, a monk of the Ramakrishna order and current minister of Vivekananda Vedanta Society of Chicago, IL.
The Festival of India, which began in 1997 has now become a much anticipated and appreciated annual event, providing an invaluable glimpse into the rich and vibrant culture and heritage of India educating Atlanta’s fast growing young Indian generation as well as the mainstream communities.
If someone wants to see the deep roots of the culture, belief, life style, living, food, art, traditions of India, the Festival of India is the kaleidoscope to view the true colors of India.
Apart from other segments, this year FOI featured three special segments. The FOI celebrated Centenary of Gadar movement, 150th anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, Rabindranath Tagore and 100 years of Indian cinema. FOI also paid homage to two of the greatest icons of India - Swami Vivekananda and Rabindranath Tagore as part of the celebration of their 150th birth year.
Both Swami Vivekananda and Rabindranath Tagore were deeply spiritual and bound by universal humanity. Their souls were so immaculate and their visions were so eternal that even today - after 150 years - their thoughts guide and inspire many worldwide.
To mark this occasion, a seminar was organized. Swami Ishatmananda - the Minister in Charge of Vivekananda Vedanta Society, Chicago, IL and Vivekananda Monastery in Ganges, MI - delivered a discourse on "Relevance of Swami Vivekananda in the American lifestyle". Following the discourse, a documentary film on Rabindranath Tagore was screened.
In his discourse, Swami Ishatmanandaji pointed out how sheer faith and deep spiritual knowledge made Swami Vivekananda – an emaciated unknown poor Indian on the steps of a church in Detroit - into a World Figure having a large captivated following in the West and this at a time when the West did not know anything about India.
He also said the chanting of hymns, the practice of yoga and meditation can give incredible mental power though it may not be easily understood from outside. He explained how Vivekananda stressed on India winning Freedom and how education manifests all developments thereafter - be it physical, mental, spiritual or earthly achievements.
Swamiji urged audience to accept the differences of races, cultures and religions and imbibe the best from other cultures without forfeiting what is good in our Indian heritage. He advocated having no barriers between two Indians, no matter which part of India they hail from.
Swamiji also appealed to write in the media explaining how the US became "The United States" - the sheer bulk of hard work that everyone does every day, the understanding of one's responsibility from early childhood and learning to admit mistakes so we can improve upon that.

Meet and greet with Anna Hazare:
Anna Hazare is on a two-week US trip meeting cross section of people in different cities across America. He was here in Atlanta on a whirlwind, one-day visit on Aug 25. People who listened to Anna got inspired to be part of the revolution to rid India from the evils of corruption.
IACA has arranged two special ‘meet and greet’ events with anti corruption crusader Anna Hazare, a luncheon at Global Mall and another event in Gwinnett Center in late afternoon where Festival of India was held on August 25. Later on, Anna visited Mahatma Gandhi statue at King center and paid homage to the statue of Mahatma Gandhi and also laid a bouquet of flowers at the crypts of Dr. Martin Luther king Jr. and his wife Coretta Scot king.

Non violence is the biggest gift of India to the World, says Anna Hazare:
While addressing the gathering at the statue, Hazare said that the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi are essential and much needed to the world now more than ever. He also said Gandhi has shown the way in getting India’s independence without bloodshed. Non violence as professed by Gandhi is the biggest gift of India to the World. Hazare explained how he imbibed Gandhi principles in his life and implemented them in his village, Ralegan siddhi in Maharashtra state.
He emphasized that if the country has to progress, villages have to be developed. Until and unless villages are developed, the country can not progress. Hazare also informed audience that he applied the Gandhian principles in the development of his native village and informed that more than five and half lakhs of people from different parts of the world visit his village every year to view and appreciate the model of development taking place in the village.
Speaking at a luncheon in Global Mall as well as in Gwinnett Center, Anna Hazare - veteran Indian social activist and the anti-corruption crusader, who calls himself a fakir who lives in a temple and has no money or belongings – expatiated at length about his life and mission. He said “I do not need financial help from you. I just need your dil(heart) and your sincere commitment to the cause I am fighting for. What I am looking for is technical guidance from you. U.S. is known for its technical knowhow, especially in social media. With your help in this expertise, we can achieve widespread and quick support”.
Anna Hazare who has modeled his non-violent protests on Gandhian principles had indicated that he would go back to agitation at Ramlila Maidan on the first day of the winter session of the Parliament, if the Union Government does not bring the Lokpal bill and said, “I will be back at Ramlila Maidan. People will say, bring the Jan Lokpal bill or go home. I will not die until the Jan Lokpal bill comes into effect.”
Congressman Jack Kingston (R-Savannah, Georgia), Consul General of India at Atlanta, Ajit Kumar and Josephine Tan also addressed the gathering at FOI on August 24. This year FOI booths were sold out and had a variety of profit-making and nonprofit making vendors.

Key note speakers and guests attended various functions throughout the festivities. The guests immersed themselves, enjoying the fun fare and great food. All the guests expressed how they cherish their long association and working with Indian community.
Earlier, while welcoming the guests, visitors and community, Mr. Kaushal Tripathi, president of IACA applauded the community for rallying behind IACA in putting together the events of Festival of India. He also thanked the volunteers, supporters and sponsors for their continued support. He presented detailed account of various activities that IACA organized. He informed that IACA also organized Indian Idol this year on the model of American Idol. Bollywood songs were sung where 100 enthusiasts participated.
Mr. Tripathi informed that IACA is organizing FOI for the last 17 years and thanked all sponsors and especially Delta, AT&T and expressed hope that sponsors will continue their patronage in the years to come. He also urged the visitors to visit IACA complex in Smyrna to join hands with IACA to build cohesive, happy and harmonious community together, so as to continue to give back to the glorious community to which we belong.