67th Republic Day of India
Federation of India Community Associations (FICA) Holiday Inn Rockside January 23, 2016
FICA is an organization dedicated to serving the needs of the Asian Indian Community in Northeast Ohio. From its humble beginnings as a student association in 1962, it has grown to be the voice of a diaspora of over 20,000 and on the increase. FICA helps Asian Indian families assimilate into the mosaic of greater Cleveland.
FICA hosts an annual event to celebrate Republic Day. The event, dinner and performances took place on Saturday January 23, 2016 with the theme of Solidarity in Diversity.
After a cocktail and networking hour, MC Sangita Bafna called up children from the community who performed the national anthems of India and the United States.
MC Sangita Bafna then spoke about the evening's theme 'Solidarity in Diversity'
Sangita Bafna
Dr. Chittaranjan Jain, president of the Board of Trustees of FICA, Federation of India Community Associations of North East Ohio, spoke about the history and significance of Republic Day of India, the world's largest democracy.
Chittaranjan Jain
Sujata Lakhe Barnard, president of FICA, recognized special guests and thanked the many FICA volunteers and sponsors.
Sujata Lakhe Barnard
The cultural part of the program began and giant puppets from the Cleveland Museum of Art told the story of Bharat, the original name of India.
Ratipriya Suresh performed a traditional Bharatnatyam dance.
Ratipriya Suresh
Cleveland City Councilman Joe Cimperman spoke next.
Joe Cimperman
Project Seva Board Chair Mona Alag told about the good works of Project Seva.
Mona Alag
Shiksha Daan Chair Sanjay Garg gave a progress report on this project that gives the gift of education.
Sanjay Garg and helpers
Next, Sudarshan Sathe spoke about the Mahatma Gandhi Campus in Cleveland.
Sujata Lakhe Barnard introduced past-president Mona Alag who presented the award for Advancing FICA's Objectives to past-president Asim Datta. Mona accepted the award for Asim who was not at the event.
Sujata Lakhe Barnard then presented the FICA Resiliency Award to two young ladies Anjana Subramanian and Swapna Khandekar.
Anjana Subramanian
Swapna Khandekar
Before dinner, Bharat Kumar sang several patriotic songs.
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