I ask my American born daugh- ter about Indian holidays and she rattles off the whole calendar of events from Lohri to Holi to 15th August to Diwali with ease. Her list is extensive and complete. Before I take credit for raising my daughter well, I must bring to center stage organizations - and voluntary ones at that- who toil arduously in bringing our culture, traditions and values to the children growing up in America. Once such organization (among many) is the IALA. (India Association of Los Angeles) in the San Fernando Valley. It organizes and celebrates various holidays and events.

I have had the pleasure and honor of attending the Republic Day celebration each year for a few years now. This year the function was held most befittingly on 26th January. Set in the heart of the San Fernando Valley, the Punjab Palace restaurant was once again the place of choice for the celebration of India's Republic Day. It was 58 years ago, on the 26th of January 1950 that India became a sovereign republic.

The evening was organized by the IALA to commemorate the day of India's sovereignty as well as to celebrate the success of Indo Americans in our community.The late January chill and winter rains were unsuccessful in dampening the spirits of those attending. Filling the hall to full capacity the attendees included eminent members of the community as well as prominent political leaders. That the evening was a success was evident from the crowds that started to pour in at about 7 o clock and did not leave until 2 am.

The evening was an awesome blend of entertainment and joy for all ages and stages, and began with a rendition of the Jana Gana Mana and the star spangled banner by children. Various local dance groups kept the audience that packed the hall to full capacity entertained with an array of Bollywood dances numbers.

The performers included students of Rachna Upadhyay's Kathak Kala Kendra, Nalini Natrajan's Thalam School of Fine Arts and the very popular ABCDesi group. Enthralled by the young performers, people were unable to keep their eyes off the dancers as they enjoyed platefuls of delicious Indian delicacies.Containing the excitement of the attendees was difficult as they had been promised an evening packed with surprises by the emcee of the evening.

Leading members of the political fraternity were present, showing their support and celebrating the occasion. Among those present were Congressman Brad Sherman who presented the President of the organization Nirmal Jain with a flag of the United States and councilman Grieg Smith, who honored Gurdip Saran (ex chairman and past president) with a presentation. Also present were eminent members of the Chamber of Commerce.

The package of entertainment was bursting with surprises and treats. IALA members had definitely left no stone unturned in treating the engaged crowd. As Girija Shankar the actor/director of the Dhritrashtra-Mahabharta and Ralliaram from the TV serial Buniyaad fame, was introduced to the thrilled crowd, they were transported to the days when Mahabharata used to be telecast. In the words of one of the attendees - I got goose bumps as I closed my eyes and listened to "Dhritrashtra"- he delivered some of his lines for the audiences.

There was yet another surprise in store for the enthralled crowd. The silken voice of Avtaar Chaddda, a local star in his own right, who, as always captivated the listeners with Rafi sahib's songs from days gone by. Accompanying him were an entire team of singers from the group called the LA Sargam. As they sang into the midnight hour, requests poured in and people sat glued to their seats as their requests were fulfilled.

The enthusiasm of the people was still sky high as the DJ turned on peppy music for people of all ages to dance to.It is events such as these that have enabled us to make America our home- a home away from home. Thousands of miles away from home, and yet here we are still very much in tune with our culture our traditions and a nation that once nurtured us.