IndiaPost.com - First multiethnic meet in Indianapolis

INDIANAPOLIS: Nearly 300 guests, community leaders, and dignitaries representing many ethnic communities and cultural, civic, and service organizations gathered at the Sheraton Hotel in Indianapolis last week for the First Multiethnic Indiana Conference.

The Conference was sponsored by the Office of Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels, and planned and presented by a committee of dedicated volunteers. The culturally and ethnically diverse audience of many nationalities included several Tibetan monks in their traditional orange robes and Hoosier Sikh Americans with their faith-mandated colorful turbans.

The aim of the Conference was: "Discovering and understanding our common ground". Over 20 exhibits in the Hallway outside the main Ballroom provided information about organizations, major Conference sponsors, and other businesses serving Indiana.

Inside the Ballroom, a continental breakfast and friendly welcome awaited the guests. Following a few formal remarks to the gathered on behalf of the Multi Ethnic Indiana Conference Committee, Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels extended a very warm Hoosier welcome to the gathering.

Governor Daniels appreciated the work of the Committee to bring them all together; proudly recognized the special energy, talents, diverse experiences, and many contributions being made by new pioneers in Indiana. Governor Daniels emphasized the need for "Indiana to grow in its cultural awareness," and "empowering Hoosiers to make our State an even better place to live."

Dr Bobby Fong, President of Butler University, the morning keynote speaker, offered a brilliant and thought-provoking perspective on America's growing ethnic, cultural, and spiritual diversity. He stated that in an increasingly interdependent world and a global economy, "our multi-ethnic populations and their insights are an important asset to our future, for Indiana and the nation."

He advocated that we must recognize, celebrate, strengthen this resource, and interface this vitality with the interests of our communities-at-large. Jerome Peribere, President and CEO of Dow Agro Sciences, the luncheon speaker, offered in a persuasive power-point presentation the many dimensions, importance, urgency, wisdom of inclusion, rightful place and integration of this emerging diversity into the corporate world, and the changing civic and cultural fabric of our communities and the nation.

The Conference offered several workshops where diverse perspectives, recent studies and in-depth community profiles, successful programs and initiatives, and the major concerns and problems facing Indiana's growing ethnic communities were highlighted and discussed.

A Closing Plenary Session, moderated by Committee member Ralph Taylor, further expanded on the efforts needed at many levels to make Indiana a more welcome place. Thanks to Elizabeth Jackson, former President of Asian American Alliance and a Multiethnic Indiana Committee member, the Conference ended with a colorful cultural treat - the Filipino Bamboo Dances performed by Hoosier Philippine children and Turkish Folk Dances performed by young girls dressed in traditional costumes.

The Native American, Christian, Catholic, Tibetan Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, and Sikh faith traditions were represented at the Interfaith Prayer Service. Giani Pritam Singh and other visiting Sikh singers offered a beautiful rendition of the Sikh hymn "Tu Thakur Tum Pai Ardas."

They magnificently sang the hymn of unity, universality, and in praise of One Creator God in Gurmukhi, the language of Sikh scriptures to the accompaniment of the traditional musical instruments.

Ten Tibetan Buddhist monks, led by Arjia Rinpoche, Executive Director of the Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center in Bloomington, offered a very serene spiritual chanting with traditional Tibetan hand bells.

Dr GL Ahuja, a Trustee of The Hindu Temple of Central Indiana, offered Sanskrit Shlokas with English translation. Ashfaq Lodhi of the Islamic Society of North America offered a beautiful recitation from The Holy Quran with English translation.

Their words and message of peace filled the space with a spirit of goodwill.