India Post News Service

CONCORD: The city of Concord held its 5th Annual Spring Festival 2008 on Saturday April 26. It was hosted by Interfaith Council of Contra Costa County and Federation of Indo-Americans Association, Northern California.

Also known as the Baisakhi festival, it holds special significance for the Indian community, particularly the Punjabis and Sikhs, because on April 13 Punjab heralds the New Year, celebrates its harvest time as well as the birth of Khalsa on this day in 1699.

The festival was chiefly put together by Dr Harmesh Kumar PhD Psychology of Therapeutic Residential Services, a California registered agency providing residential and mental services to mentally or developmentally disabled new immigrants and seniors.

Another grand sponsor for the event was Saturn of Concord led by Inder Atwal, both of whom have been dedicated to serving the community for several years now. Gracing the festival were Mayor of Concord William D Shinn, a resident of Concord since 1957, Reverend Will McGarvey from the Community Presbyterian Church, Dr Amer Amrain Dar-ul-Islam Mosque, Concord Rev. Tom Bonacci St. Ignatius Catholic Church, Antioch.

The festival was held on the leafy Todos Santos Plaza. Dedicated in 1868 by Concord's founding pioneers, Todos Santos Plaza is one of the original blocks laid out for the town of Todos Santos, later to become Concord.

The Plaza is still the centerpiece of a vibrant downtown and a community gathering place. Emceed by Deepa Thakur, the occasion began with prayers from representatives of all faiths, including Gurbani shabad from Gurdeep and Sukhjinder Kaur from Fresno.

The festival, in an effort to bring together various communities, featured graceful Bharatnatyam dances from budding classical dancers in resplendent costumes, a flowy Samoan dance, a racy hip hop dance from a local school team, as well as little girls stepping to the beat of popular Bollywood tunes.

The festivals saw a gathering of mostly Indians, and also curious Americans, Chinese and Hispanics clearly fascinated by the cultural mosaic on stage, relishing the complimentary jalebis and chhole bhature.

Mayor Bill Shinn presented Dr. Harmesh Kumar with a Proclamation recognizing April 26 as Spring Festival Day in the city of Concord. Also sponsoring the festival were Cultural Society of India, Dr. D. Salwan, Commercial Realty Experts, India4U Restaurant and Bar (Antioch), India Community Center, Milpitas, Harmony Manor, LLC, Sierra Villa Rest Home, LLC, Dinuba Guest Home, LLC , C & F Residential Care, LLC.