Gokuldham/FIA celebrate Republic Day with 300-foot-long tricolor
(Left) Rice colored like the Indian flag.
On Sunday, January 27, 2019, in partnership with the Federation of Indian-American Associations of Georgia (FIA GA), Gokuldham Haveli – Atlanta hosted its first Republic Day celebration: a combination of cultural, spiritual, and patriotic programs and a parade showcasing a 300-foot-long Indian flag. This 70th Republic Day celebration also involved 38 other Indian associations of metro Atlanta; about 1,000 people attended.
(Right) Gokuldham/FIA parade of a 300-foot-long Indian Tricolor.
Gokuldham Chairman Ashok Patel, Executive Secretary Tejas Patwa, Bobby Patel, Hetal Shah, Kintu Shah, Samir Shah, FIA President Vasudev Patel, and office-bearers Sanjay Prakash, and Rina Gupta, led the celebration starting at 3:30 pm with the grand parade of a 300-foot-long Indian Tricolor. Singing of “Vande Mataram” and shouts of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” created a patriotic atmosphere on the U.S. soil.
(Left) CG Kulkarni (in the center) joined in the festivities.
Shree Dwarkeshlalji Maharajshree (Vadodara), spiritual benefactor of Gokuldham Haveli, in a video message expressed gratitude to the Indian community for organizing the program held at Jagatguru Hall of Gokuldham. Consul General Dr. Swati Kulkarni hoisted the Indian tricolor. She praised the Indian community and organizers for a wonderful Republic Day celebration. She also said that the economic progress and development undertaken by India was noted globally; programs started under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, e.g., “Make in India,” “Digital India,” and “Skill India,” are making their impact felt. She added that America continues to be India's strong business partner.
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The stage at Gokuldham. |
In the cultural program, the theme of patriotism was expressed with various dance items. The Gokuldham fashion show with dresses from all the states of India was especially notable.
Gokuldham arranged a free meal based on the Indian Tricolor flag: tricolor dhokla, tricolor barfi, tricolor rice, paneer tikka, and dal fry. Gokuldham’s kitchen volunteers included Bhanuben Patel, Hasubhai Patel, Ranjanben Siroya, Soihiniben-Prakash Patel, Ashwin Patel, Nikshan Patel, Satish Gheewala and Sneha Shah.
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The flag-colored food. |
Barfi. |
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About 1,000 people from the 38 associaions turned up to celebrate Republic Day at Gokuldham. |
And a huge amount of "flag rice" fed them! |
Website Bonus Feature
Videos:
Tiranga and anthems
https://www.facebook.com/Gokuldhamatlanta/videos/590786631437758/
Parade begins
https://www.facebook.com/Gokuldhamatlanta/videos/299452167381367/
Flyer with participating associations
http://www.khabar.com/events-calendar/Republic-Day-Celebrations-by-FIA-GA
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