INDIA’S 60TH REPUBLIC DAY CELEBRATION
(At Cerritos Center of Performing Arts – January 30, 2010) 

Federation of Indo-American Associations of Southern California (FIA-SC – Est. 1979) celebrated India’s 60th Republic Day on Saturday, January 30, 2010 at Cerritos Center of Performing Arts in the City of Cerritos. The function was well organized under the leadership of President Anju Garg and Chairman Ajmer Singh. The auditorium overflowed its capacity as more people showed up than expected. Extra chairs have to be added to accommodate some overflow. Still some people have to be turned away as there was no more room in the hall. 

VP Cultural and Master of Ceremonies Smita Bagla with the help from VP Women’s Affairs Vijaya Jayaram and Co-MC Navin Gupta put together a splendid display of cultural program that reflected different themes from different states of India. The highlight of the cultural program was Punjabi Giddha. The girls performing Giddha reminisced the early days of our lives (especially of the people of Punjabi origin) when we used watch our village ladies and young girls perform Teeyan during the month of Sawan. It was indeed a thrilling treat to everyone present in the auditorium regardless of what state they were from. Rajasthani dance was another highlight of the evening. Overall the cultural program was very entertaining. You could feel the audience being encapsulated by the sweet scent of each culture emanating from every item presented by various groups of children. 

The function was attended by quite a few local politicians. Mayor of Cypress Dr. Prakash Narain, Mayor of Artesia Tony Lima, Mayor ProTem of Cypress Joseph Choe, representatives from Congressman Ed Royce’s office and Assemblyman Tony Mendoza’s office were present. Dr. Prakash Narain spoke of the significance of the Republic Day and presented a proclamation from City of Cypress to the President Anju Garg. Harry Sidhu, Mayor ProTem of Anaheim also attended the function briefly and presented the proclamation from city of Anaheim to the President Anju Garg and Chairman Ajmer Singh. Mayor of Artesia Tony Lima, Mayor ProTem of Cypress Joseph Choe and representatives of Congressman Ed Royce and Assemblyman Tony Mendoza congratulated the Indian-Americans on this auspicious day. Congresswoman Linda Sanchez’s office honored all the executive committee members and organizers with the certificates of congressional recognition. 

Executive VP Rajinder Dhunna opened the program by thanking the honorable guests of honor and the audience for joining in Republic Day festivities. Kewal Kanda past president and chairman of FIA-SC warmed up the audience with some hilarious jokes followed by explanation why India celebrates both Republic Day and Independence Day. President Anju Garg, Chairman Ajmer Singh gave brief speeches and thanked the honorable guests and acknowledge the support of our sponsors and the audience, the support of the executive committee and the volunteers without which this program would not have been possible. Anju Garg also conveyed special thanks to the three pillars of this association Kewal Kanda, Ishwar Deedwania, and Ajoy Dube who work tirelessly for the success of this organization. The president also acknowledged and honored the presence of past presidents Dr. Krishna Reddy, Dr. Manorama Sharma, Dr. Jay Shah, Dr. Jitendra Goel, Ishwar Deedwania, Ajoy Dube, Kewal Kanda, and Dinesh Bhargava. 

Along with spectacular cultural program the audience enjoyed the sumptuous food provided by Ashoka the Great, Cuisine of India, Artesia. Program ended with thanks from Executive VP Aparna Hande.

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