LAKEWOOD, CA: United Federation of Indo-Americans in California (UFICA) celebrated its India's Independence Day kick off party at the residence of Dr Vinod Vineet and Vinita Vineet, President and Executive member respectively on Sunday, March 16.

This event was held to announce the various activities for the calendar year 2008 and the announcement date for the Independence Day program. The date earmarked to hold this event is Saturday, August 9 and it will be held at the Artesia High School Grounds in the City of Lakewood.

This is the same venue that UFICA has been having the function for the past couple of years.President Vinod Vineet reiterated UFICA's position in that we will continue to have the best 'MELA' possible and in continuing with its tradition we will bring Bollywood Stars to enthrall the audience. He indicated that there would be other programs such as Senior Citizen's picnic and medical and dental camps in and around the Artesia/Cerritos area.

Following the dinner, a meeting was held under the Chairmanship of Ashok Patnaik and plans and preparations were identified and implementation dates set as part of the event preparation.The meeting was attended by all the executive members/trustee members and the event concluded with signing of new members to the UFICA group.