Home > Magazine > Around Town > IACA celebrates India’s 62 Republic Day with pride!
India has three national days out of its many public
holidays: Republic Day (1/26), Independence Day (8/15), and Mahatma Gandhi’s
birthday (10/2). India became formally independent from the British on August
15, 1947, with its new prime minister, Nehru, and the viceroy, Louis Mountbatten
staying on as Governor General. In 1948 Chakravarti Rajagopalachari became the
first Indian Governor General. On January 26, 1950 with the adoption of the
Consitution, India became a republic with Dr. Rajendra Prasad as its first
president, and the days of the Governor General and British representation were
ended.
The grandest of the Republic Day parades in India takes place at the Rajpath in New Delhi. The Prime Minster lays a floral wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti, a memorial to unknown soldiers at the India Gate, followed by two minutes silence in memory of those who died in the Freedom Movement and in succeeding wars.
In Atlanta, IACA celebrated Republic Day at the Indian Cultural and Religious Center in Smyrna. IACA, founded in 1972, strives to bring Indian culture increasingly into the mainstream of the harmonious and ethnically diverse population of the USA.
President Sneha Mehta introduced the new executive body for the year 2011. The Indian flag was hoisted by keynote speaker Dr. Lawrence Schall, president of Oglethorpe University. Indian and American national anthems were sung by Suma Yellamraju and Sonakshi Mishra, and patriotic songs by Anusha Goda, Siddharth Satuluru, Supraja Satuluru, Apurva Kasam, and Anuhya Kasam.
Dr. Schall congratulated all for the celebration and took the opportunity to present a short video clip about Oglethorpe University’s IDEX program, sending students to India to work with schools in rural areas. He also talked about his fond memories from his own visit to India and his optimism about working with India to bring about stronger ties and understanding between the USA and India. Dr. Schall also shared information about the University’s upcoming Indian Art Exhibition in March.
Honorable Greg Pridgeon, former Council member and former Chief of Staff for the City of Atlanta, brought special remarks to the celebration. Mr. Pridgeon talked about the great friendship that has existed between the Indian community and the City of Atlanta and said that the Indian community has now become a part of his own extended family.
A vote of thanks was provided by Nevedita Garabadu, acknowledging representatives from Sanatan Mandir, TAMA, GATS, Kannada Koota, NRI Pulse, VHP of America, Vibha, NASSTA, Gandhi Foundation, India Muslim Council, and Compassionate Care Hospice. Snacks were provided by Swapna restaurant and Shivam groceries, with chai from IACA volunteers Jashbhai Modi and Kanubhai Patel. Plans for the year to come were showcased for the many members of the Indian-American community. The presence of a number of community leaders and especially the youth who took part in the cultural performance made the occasion suitably festive and memorable!
IACA celebrates India’s 62 Republic Day with pride!
March 2011
India has three national days out of its many public
holidays: Republic Day (1/26), Independence Day (8/15), and Mahatma Gandhi’s
birthday (10/2). India became formally independent from the British on August
15, 1947, with its new prime minister, Nehru, and the viceroy, Louis Mountbatten
staying on as Governor General. In 1948 Chakravarti Rajagopalachari became the
first Indian Governor General. On January 26, 1950 with the adoption of the
Consitution, India became a republic with Dr. Rajendra Prasad as its first
president, and the days of the Governor General and British representation were
ended. The grandest of the Republic Day parades in India takes place at the Rajpath in New Delhi. The Prime Minster lays a floral wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti, a memorial to unknown soldiers at the India Gate, followed by two minutes silence in memory of those who died in the Freedom Movement and in succeeding wars.
In Atlanta, IACA celebrated Republic Day at the Indian Cultural and Religious Center in Smyrna. IACA, founded in 1972, strives to bring Indian culture increasingly into the mainstream of the harmonious and ethnically diverse population of the USA.
President Sneha Mehta introduced the new executive body for the year 2011. The Indian flag was hoisted by keynote speaker Dr. Lawrence Schall, president of Oglethorpe University. Indian and American national anthems were sung by Suma Yellamraju and Sonakshi Mishra, and patriotic songs by Anusha Goda, Siddharth Satuluru, Supraja Satuluru, Apurva Kasam, and Anuhya Kasam.
Dr. Schall congratulated all for the celebration and took the opportunity to present a short video clip about Oglethorpe University’s IDEX program, sending students to India to work with schools in rural areas. He also talked about his fond memories from his own visit to India and his optimism about working with India to bring about stronger ties and understanding between the USA and India. Dr. Schall also shared information about the University’s upcoming Indian Art Exhibition in March.
Honorable Greg Pridgeon, former Council member and former Chief of Staff for the City of Atlanta, brought special remarks to the celebration. Mr. Pridgeon talked about the great friendship that has existed between the Indian community and the City of Atlanta and said that the Indian community has now become a part of his own extended family.
A vote of thanks was provided by Nevedita Garabadu, acknowledging representatives from Sanatan Mandir, TAMA, GATS, Kannada Koota, NRI Pulse, VHP of America, Vibha, NASSTA, Gandhi Foundation, India Muslim Council, and Compassionate Care Hospice. Snacks were provided by Swapna restaurant and Shivam groceries, with chai from IACA volunteers Jashbhai Modi and Kanubhai Patel. Plans for the year to come were showcased for the many members of the Indian-American community. The presence of a number of community leaders and especially the youth who took part in the cultural performance made the occasion suitably festive and memorable!
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