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Grand Celebration
of India Republic Day By FIA of Southern California
Los Angeles, Jan. 26, 2009
By Dilip Butani
Federation of Indian American Associations of Southern California
celebrated, in a grand way; India’s Republic Day, on January
25, 2009, at The Bombay Garden Restaurant.
The restaurant was overcrowded with Indian Americans, some of
whom came all the way from Valley and San Diego areas. The restaurant
hall was beautifully decorated.
The program started at 7:15 PM with Ganesh Shloka by Sunil Kansara
followed by a poetry on India by Chairman Prakash Pancholi. Next
was an hour long first session of live music by Amit Anand, Parul
Shah and Party who entertained everyone with patriotic songs and
Bollywood numbers.

The guests, that included Congressman Ed Royce, Assemblyman Tony
Mendoza, Orange County Supervisor Chris Norby, Cypress Mayor Pro
Tem Dr. Prakash Narain and Anaheim Councilmember Harry Sidhu, came
around 8:15 PM.
As per the tradition, the formal function started with lamp lighting
by the guests who were joined by the ex committee members. Both
Ramesh Bhatt and Siddharth Pathak chanted the traditional Mantras.
This was followed by the National Anthems of USA and India. Palak
Pancholi played the US national anthem on violin, while everyone
joined in singing the Indian National Anthem.
President Dilip Butani then welcomed the guests and in his brief
speech said that it was on this day that the constitution of India
came into force and India became a truly sovereign state. He then
introduced his team and mentioned that each and every one had worked
very hard for this function. He and Prakash Pancholi then invited
the guests to speak. All the guests highly spoke about Indo-American
relations and presented the Committee Members with certificates
of recognition. A minute silence was observed in memory of the Nov
26 victims and brave officers & soldiers. The President and
Chairman on behalf of the Executive Committee received City of Cypress
recognition award from Dr Prakash Narain. Secretary Vishakha Purandare
proposed vote of thanks.
The reception was followed by a cultural program put together by
Kalaimamani Dr. Sinduri. The items included Pushpanjali performed
by Vinaini Jayasinghe, Tthulashi, Rachel Kannampuzha, Susmitha Verghese
followed by and Traditional Costumes of India by Sheryl Justine,
Leah Sun, Gisel Kannampuzha, Beena Mathew, Christina John, Cynthia
Sridhar, Sruthi Murali, Sai Dilip, Sriya Ponnaganti, Syama, Angali
Mani, Sneha Verghese, Keerthana and Maria Lliz Jim,
Next was Vande Mataram by Vinaini Jayasinghe, followed by Bhangra
by Nikhil, Sujay, Arjun,Rahul, Mohit, Ranjith and Sai Dilip. After
that was a bollywood dance on the popular song Dance Pe Chance Maar
De by Mansi Kansara followed by a song Nanha Muna Rahi Hoon by Vinaini
Jayasinghe. Popular singer Shabari Girish also sang two songs.
After the cultural program the sponsors, media representatives
and community leaders were honored and recognized. The sponsors
honored were State Bank of India – Venkatesh Hegde, Sir Speedy
printers-Jagjit Singh, Savithri Arts Academy-Dr Sinduri and Bombay
Garden-Allen
Community leaders honored included Uka Solanki, Amrit Bhandari,
Mohan Sharma, Raj Walia, Manu Patel, Ravji Patel, Joy Dhokia, Dr
Jay Shah and Harshad Mody; while media included Gary Singh from
NRI Press, Raj Nangia fromTV Asia, Riaz Khan and Snigdha Dwivedi
from India West, Shashi Trivedi and J.S. Bedi from India Post, Amelia
Mathews from India Journal and Tony from News Asia.
Others to be honored were Swami Sahajananda, Swami Jyotimayananda
and Shri Sanjay Thakkar - the dynamic teacher’s trainer of
RSVK who specially came from India to attend this function, Amit
Anand, Nauzad Sadry, Khushi Sadry and Malati Baker, Divisional Manager
of H & R Block. A special souvenir, sponsored by Sir Speedy,
was also released.
After the award was second session of lively music by Ami Anand
and party. Prakash and Payal Pancholi were the emcees and beautiful
decoration was due to extraordinary efforts of Vishakha Purandare,
Devna Shah, Atul Ghadiali, Kiki Urmila Purohit and Dr Chandra Shah.
The function was followed by a sumptuous dinner and ended around
11:30 PM.
It was one of the best functions in recent times and an event to
remember.

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