| India Day 2006 by Heidi M. Pascual |
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| India Day in Madison has become a regular annual event hosted by the Association of Indians in America (AIA) at the busy UW-Library Mall along State Street. The event is not only an opportunity to get together for fun and be entertained with musical numbers. Most importantly, it is a significant occasion to commemorate India's independence from Britain in 1948. Every year, for 20 years now, the Indian community, through the AIA, hosts a day of sharing Indian culture through their music, food, arts and crafts, and a display of Indian traditional and colorful clothing worn by women and children. AIA President-elect Anuradha Palaparti welcomed families, performers, and guests who eagerly waited for the following numbers: Bharatnatyam dances from Spandhan and Kalaanjali Schools of Dance; group dancing by the Asian Pacific Study Group; a song by Sadhana Pittala; and other musical offerings that combined the classical and the modern from movies and the stage. "India Day is about promoting Indian culture among people in Madison and around here," Sarita Jha (top left photo, r), outgoing president of the AIA, said in a brief interview with Asian Wisconzine during the celebration on September 9. "We also want to welcome new students who are coming from India so that they don't feel homesick. Usually when they come to a new country, they have left their families and friends, so they feel alone. This is one way of showing them they're not alone." |
| There are about a thousand families of Indians in Madison, Jha said, and that number would include students and professionals in the university and private businesses. Like any other organization that sets up a public event, AIA faced some challenges in putting up this year's India Day. "This is an outdoor event and because it involves selling food to the general public, we had to be very careful and we had to follow city rules that the health inspector set," she admitted. "So we are a little stressed about making sure that the food is 165 degrees and that we meet all the requirements of the city." The planning took about two to three months in advance in order to secure a city permit, including a temporary restaurant permit. Being the president, Jha added that she didn't know everything so she depended heavily on the past presidents to whom she was very grateful. "I have been calling everyone and they have been advising and helping me and telling me what needs to be done; what can go wrong; and how we can make sure it doesn't go wrong." Her committee members and even those who are not in the committees also helped a lot, she said. "I don't even have to ask them. They called me and asked how they can help. Without all of them, there's no way I can pull this off." |
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| The good networking and cooperation from the Indian community were apparent. Jha's strong leadership was also clear. Her background as a project manager at DPI plus her amiable personality truly made her community commitments easier to accomplish. Congratulations to AIA for a job well done! |
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