IndiaPost.com - FIA banquet & parade depict Indian strength & unity

India Post News Service

CHICAGO: Mera Bharat Mahan- Rajiv Gandhi, a former Indian Prime Minister coined this phrase underlying unity and the great inner strength that the Indian nation continued displaying despite its huge diversity. Iftekhar Shareef, president of the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) Illinois chapter reiterated this quality of the Indian nation in all his speeches and also got it reflected in the celebration of 60th anniversary of Indian independence in Chicago last week.

He was not alone as he was ably joined by Smita Shah, Balwinder Singh, Naren Patel other FIA office bearers and a large number Indian Americans in Chicagoland. The FIA held its annual India Day Banquet at Meadows Club, Rolling Meadows and it was once again a show of unity in diversity of India, as Indian Americans from all walks of life embracing many languages, religions and political views gathered singing Indian national anthem and sharing Indian culture with pride.

The theme of the entire celebrations had been the success of India as a multi- faceted secular democracy and fulfillment of promises of the founders of the nation to elevate the country from a poor underdeveloped position to that of a developed nation. The presence of Sunita Williams, whose name has become a part of history as a member of the historic team of astronauts in space, added a touch of admiration and adoration to the feat of technological miracles.

Clad in Salwar Kameez, simple and unassuming Sunita mingled with everyone. In her short speech, she shared with the audience her experience aboard the spacecraft. Obviously moved by the love and admiration of the people, she said that, "if space travel was a wonderful experience, it was even a delightful experience to be back to feel the gravity on this great planet earth". She said that it was awe-inspiring to watch the beautiful landmass of the planet earth and the oceans. 'It gave an impression that the earth is without borders.

May the humanity that seeks freedom and independence live with such a feeling of borderless ness," she wondered. Spirit of unity, universality and messages of harmony were evident throughout the celebration. Lavishly praising India as a vibrant democracy, Iftekhar Shareef, said: "India is the biggest democracy and true secular country where 80 percent of Hindus, 14 percent of Muslims and 2-3 percent of Christians, 2 percent of Sikhs and rest of all other religions had been living in harmony. We set an example in choosing a Sikh, Dr Manmohan Singh, as its Prime Minister, recently a woman, Pratibha Patil, as its President, and the just retired President, APJ Kalam, was a Muslim." Earlier, the banquet committee chair Naren Patel welcomed the guests observing that the Indian community in Chicago is making a huge impact in every field.

"We are reaching high level positions in the State, County and City governments. We, as non-resident Indians, have also made remarkable progress here in the USA and other countries. Here in the USA we have not only made significant economic growth, but have also demonstrated ourselves to be a unified force to reckon with politically. Our united voice has become so powerful, that we have made a difference in many policy-making decisions."

"I am happy that women in India and abroad have made great progress. A perfect example is our chief guest Sunita Williams. Recently India chose its first female president Pratibha Patil in an election hailed as a victory for women. Our success truly lies in our cultural values and our hard-working demeanors," he observed. Iftekhar Shareef introduced the FIA trustees and officers to the audience and recognized the presence of Bollywood film star Moushumi Chatterji and Mohammed Azharuddin.

Indian Consul General Ashok Kumar Attri congratulated the FIA for celebrating India's Independence Day on such a grand scale. He commended Sunita Williams saying she makes every Indian across the world proud for going to the space where no other woman in the world had gone before. Moushumi Chatterji, who thanked the Indian community and the FIA for inviting her to be part of the celebration, requested the audience to stand up and observe silence in homage to those who had sacrificed their lives in the struggle for independence.

Todd Stroger, president of Cook County Board, sent a message of congratulations and a proclamation recognizing August 17 and 18 as days to celebrate India's Independence. Congresswoman Melissa Bean, Clerk of Cook County Circuit Court Dorothy Brown, Mohammed Azharuddin, Raghu Nayak, Niranjan Shah, Smita Shah, Hetal Patel, Bina Patel, and Keerthi Kumar Ravoori also spoke. Sunita Williams, Moushumi Chatterji, Azharuddin were honored with special plaques. FIA's special recognition awards were presented to Raghu Nayak, Babu Patel, Smita Shah, and Kishan Patel.

The event was emceed by Mina Purohit and Bina Patel. The program ended with an enjoyable cultural program, which did not receive enough attention because of simultaneous serving of dinner. An observation by the veteran Indian community leader Ranjit Ganguli: "Our FIA leaders must understand that these youngsters worked hard and most of their work has been drowned in the audience busy fetching their food and eating." Sadly, yet in a profoundly true manner, this reflected the indifference of the audience, which deflates the enthusiasm and hopes of these young artistes.

The traditional India Day parade next day on Mahatma Gandhi Marg, however, disappointed the crowed because of the absence of the widely publicized NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, who was supposed to be the grand marshal. Similarly, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, Bollywood film stars Priyanka Chopra and Arjun Rampal were conspicuously absent at the parade.

The parade started with the hoisting of Indian flag by Gandhian Mohanbhai Patel, who was dressed in a white kurta and a Gandhi cap and was joined by CG Ashok Kumar Attri. Once the flag was raised in the air, the entire FIA executive board and crowd of Indians sang the Indian national anthem, Jana Gana Mana. The band and flag were followed by members of the FIA executive board, Grand Marshal Moushumi Chatterji, cricketer Mohammed Azharuddin, Attri, and several Chicago politicians, including the Illinois State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, the 50th ward Alderman Bernard Stone, and the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County Dorothy Brown, who was also dressed in a hot pink salwar kameez.

The Executive Committee, guests and dignitaries saluted the parade from the specially built stage as Sunny Ghabawala, Meena Purohit and Hetal Patel described the floats and participants. In conclusion the organizers and the guests, including State Treasurer Giannoulias, Dorothy Brown and Consul General briefly spoke thanking and appreciating the participation of about 30 floats and nearly seven thousand people crowding Devon Avenue.

Itekhar Shareef thanked the members of his executive board, chairs of various committees as well as the Chicago Police, Fire and Streets and Sanitation departments, The presence of the Chicago Police and several security officers ensured an atmosphere of safety throughout the parade for excellent arrangements to make the parade one of the best in memory. Smita Shah urged the crowd's second-generation Indian-Americans to get more involved with the Indian community in Chicago, starting with next year's India Day celebrations.

The others, who spoke on the occasion, were Niranjan Shah, Babu Patel, Anil Pillai, Raghu Nayak, Kanti Patel, Dr Bharat Barai, Joe Moore and Mayor Tarry of Lincolnwood. Subhash Bhatt, the FIA secretary, proposed a vote of thanks. Despite the inclement weather, much of the parade crowd followed Ald. Stone's advice and flocked to Warren Park where they enjoyed the food and entertainment, including renditions of several Bollywood songs performed by Saaz Aur Awaaz group that specially came from India.

Vijayalakshmi sang several movie songs. Shareef honored Hasahn Chisti with the community service award and Hanumita Juneja with the youngest dancer award as the festivities continued till late in the afternoon.