Asian Indian Heritage Project in Cleveland hosted Samip Mallick of the
South Asian American Digital Archive March 31-April 1, 2012
The mission of the Asian Indian Heritage Project (AIHP) is to identify, collect, and preserve archival materials related to the heritage and ongoing history of the Asian Indian Community in the Northeastern Ohio region, and to make such records available to the public.
The AIHP was created in November 2011 under the leadership of Jacqueline Ruiz. The project motto is "Illuminate the Past - Light the Future."
The AIHP hosted Mr. Samip Mallick, President of South Asian American Digital Archive (SAADA) over the weekend of April 1, 2012.
Mr Mallick was given a tour of the Indian Cultural Garden. Stephen Sreshta introduced Mr. Samip Mallick and Mr. Raj Pillai, head of the Indian Cultural Garden in Cleveland at a ceremony at the Indian Cultural Garden in front of the Mahatma Gandhi statue.
Raj Pillai, Stephen Sreshta, Samip Mallick and Michael Sreshta
Samip Mallick in the Cleveland Indian Cultural Garden
Mr. Mallick was also given a tour of the Western Reserve Historical Society.
Samip Mallick on tour of the Western Reserve Historical Society with Michael Sreshta, John Grabowski and others
On Sunday April 1, 2012 the Federation of India Community Associations, FICA, held a program to share ideas with and learn from Mr Mallick and SAADA.
Ms Jacqueline Ruiz, Founder and Project Director of the AIHP, organized the program.
Jacqueline Ruiz
Past FICA president Venky Venkatesh discussed the importance of and differences between history and heritage as it relates to the Asian Indian Heritage project.
Venky Venkatesh
Le Nguyen, Asian Liaison for the City of Cleveland, read a proclamation from Mayor Frank Jackson and presented it to Ms Ruiz and the AIHP board.
Asim Datta, Michael Sreshta and Le Nguyen
AIHP group and Le Nguyen
Kristina Hoefel, Director of the Brahma Kumaris Activities in Ohio gave a Western Perspective and opening meditation.
Kristina Hoefel
Then Mr. Samip Mallick began his presentation about Indian Heritage, archives, SAADA and what could be done in Cleveland.
Mr. Mallick suggested 4 ways to get involved in the South Asian American Digital Archive (SAADA) project.
Samip Mallick
One of Mr. Mallick's examples was the story of Dalip Singh Saund, the first Asian American elected to Congress.
A funny moment took place when Sujata Burgess recognized herself in a photo that Samip Mallick used as an example taken when she was at CSU.
Sujata Burgess and fellow Cleveland State University students
After the informative presentation, the audience engaged in a Q&A session.
Michael Sreshta
Samip Mallick
John Grabowski of the Western Reserve Historical Society discusses their focus on the immigration history and how since 1965 it is not just concerned with the Ellis Island type immigrants.
John Grabowski
Asim Datta
Harjit and Mona Alag
Mr Surinder Kampani and Dr Shanta Kampani
Ramesh Shah and Raj Pillai
In the open forum part of the program, Paramjit Singh told a humorous story about an experience in the US South.
Paramjit Singh
Abedkhan and Zahid Siddiqi
John Grabowski and Venky Venkatesh
Congratulations to Jacqueline Ruiz and the Asian Indian Heritage Project members for presenting this important program.
