India Post News Service

LAKEWOOD: Sultry and alluring former Miss India Celina Jaitley graced the stage for the UFICA celebration of India’s Independence Day August 11 at Artesia High School along with the equally enticing Bollywood actress Mahima Choudhry. It was an evening to relish. Highlighted by a special tribute to Bhagat Singh the crowd of nearly 11,000 people gathered around 70 booths to experience a plethora of artists and music.

“We were celebrating 150 years of India’s struggle for independence and one of its greatest freedom fighters, Bhagat Singh,” said UFICA Chairman Dr Rangaesh Gadasalli who added that the day’s celebration included a memorial to the great Indian uprising of 1857 during British Raj of the 19th Century.

UFICA VP, Dr Vinod Vineet, welcomed the attendees while UFICA founder and trustee, Harish Dhruv, recalled the struggle launched by early Indian patriots such as Jhansi Ki Rani and Nanaji Phadnavis who sacrificed everything for the cause of India’s freedom.

Recognition awards were presented to UFICA leaders by the representatives of State Assemblyman Tony Mendoza and US Congresswoman Linda Sanchez, both strong supporters of Indian cultural events in their districts. Ashok Patnaik and Dr Rangaesh Gadasalli gave praise to the honored guests, with Dr Gadasalli saying that UFICA was fortunate to have a grand marshal (Celina Jaitley) who hailed from a family of “warriors” for three generations.

Gadasalli also voiced remorse that the Delhi government was not doing justice to the people of India by ignoring Bharath Ratnas, Sardar Patel, Veer Savarkar, Jayaprakash Narayan, Lokmanya Tilak, and Subhash Chandra Bose. He felt appeasement of one single family should end in India at the earliest.Addressing the gathering Celina Jaitley said that she was honored to be the Grand Marshal of the event and thanked the people for their love and support.

She also said that she was very much an Indian, being the granddaughter, daughter and a sister of family members who have served the Indian army for generations. Mahima Choudhry, who has become very popular in the City of Angels was very happy to receive the love and affection of the people and said that she admired UFICA and its leadership for growing stronger every year. She promised to come to next year’s UFICA event with her new born baby daughter who will be turning one year old.

The stars were taken in parade across the grounds to the cheers of the thousands and obliged them courteously, shaking hands and taking photographs.The Grand Finale of the evening was the three and half hours of continuous entertainment by the Indo American children. A giant screen was also put on each side of the large stage and was appreciated by one and all as people could see the show even from distance. Renowned singer, Preeti Gajjar Gosh, from Gujarat, entertained the audience with her melodious voice for more than an hour rendering loud applause for her version of Ai Mere Vatan Ke Logo.

Kudos to Vineeta Vineet who did an outstanding job of scheduling items one after another, varying types and keeping people glued to their chair till 11pm. Ashok Patnaik also presented plaques to recognize the sponsors, Nissan Cerritos, Thank-U-Food, Citibank, Aaina Signature Collection, Westar Funding, WAMU Financial Partners, Chakra Restaurant, Derm Cosmetics, along with grand sponsors Hamilton Brewert Insurance, McKenna BMW, Habib American Bank, State Bank of India and SIVA.