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 Tribute to American & Indian Pioneers
Celebrating American Independence and Indian American Heritage

 

Los Angeles, July 04, 2011
NRIpress

India Association of Los Angeles (IALA) in collaboration with Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) organized a tribute function on Jul 4, 2011 at India Oven Restaurant 10110 Topanga Canyon Bl, Chatsworth celebrating American Independence and Indian American Heritage and paid tribute to the pioneers and patriots. Inder Singh, Chairman GOPIO Int’l who co-coordinated the seminar emphasized, “If we, Indian Americans, want others to know about us, then we must first know who we are.” 

 

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The tribute function started at 11 AM with a seminar covering the following topics.

1.     Remebering Heroes of American Independence   by Smita Misra

2.     Early Indian Immigration and Settlement Problems by Dr. Awtar Singh

3.     Struggle for U.S Citizenship by Prof. Ram Roy

4.     Political Empowerment   by Harry Sidhu, Anaheim City Councilman

5.     Indian Community Contributions to India and USA by Inder Singh, and

6.     Gadar Hall – Memorial to Gadar Movement by Gursharan Nat

 The seminar was followed by a lively interactive Q&A segment. A complimentary lunch was served with sponsorship from Gursharan Nat, Ravi Grewal and Iqbal Samra.

  First speaker was Smita Misra who talked about the struggle for gaining independence from the Britishers and recalled the sacrifices of American heroes, patriots and pioneers. Dr. Awtar Singh gave a brief account of problems which early Indian immigrants encountered. He also talked about the discrimination and bigotry faced by the Indian nationals in the beginning in the US.  Prof. Ram Roy explained the struggle which Indians had to go through in getting the right of citizenship in this country. Harry Sidhu Councilman of city of Anaheim talked about the necessity of getting involved in the political process in this country. He advised all Indians to get involved to gain political empowerment. Gursharan Nat talked about his recent visit to the Gadar Hall in San Francisco which was purchased by the Gadarites in 1914 and now is managed by the Indian Consulate. Inder Singh talked about the many contributions of Indian Americans to their motherland as also to the country of their adoption. He mentioned names of many Indian philanthropists who have donated millions for various causes in India and the US.

 IALA president Bobby Kumar thanked the attendees and his committee colleagues for their untiring efforts to make the event successful. He, quoting Marcus Garvey, said, "A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots." Chairman Raman Chadha thanked the sponsors for their generosity. Several members from the audience had the opportunity to ask questions from the speakers. They also expressed their happiness at the well organized event and many among them asked for a copy of speeches to share with those who missed this fact-filled and informative seminar.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

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