India Post News Service

ST. LOUIS: India Association of St. Louis, in collaboration with Mahatma Gandhi Cultural center organized a grand celebration of India's 60th Independence Day in St. Louis, Missouri. A festival ("Mela") was arranged on Sunday August 19 at the Mahatma Gandhi Center (MGC). Charlie Doolie, St. Louis County Executive, hoisted the American flag and Dr Jaya Ramanuja, President of India Association of St. Louis, hoisted the Indian flag. Children sang the US and India's National anthems in the ceremony.

Flag hoisting was followed by a parade around the MGC building and then an assembly in the main auditorium of MGC, where chief guest Charlie Doolie delivered a keynote address to the community. In his speech Dooley recognized the stabilizing impact of Indian democracy and freedom on the entire world.

He emphasized on the unique leadership of Mahatma Gandhi and his beliefs and its inspirational importance in the freedom movements around the world and on world leaders like Dr Martin Luther King. Later, he presented a proclamation declaring the day as "India Day" to the India Association President, Dr Jaya Ramanuja.Doolie inaugurated the Mela by cutting a ribbon and praised the participation from members of the Indian American community.

He interacted with several prominent members of the Indian American community of St. Louis and enjoyed the Mela. In the Mela, several volunteers, families, businesses and local vendors had exhibited their items on the food and merchandize stalls.

The festival also included various activities and competitions where many local children displayed their talents, which were later judged and prizes were awarded to winners. Mela ended with a colorful cultural program displaying folk and patriotic songs and dances of India.