India Post News Service

KANSAS: The Gujarati Samaj of Greater Kansas hosted 27th FOGANA (Federation of Gujarati Associations of North America) National Dance Competition last week. The competition was held at the Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, MO. This was the third time in the past seven years that the Samaj has hosted and organized FOGANA competition. The Samaj efforts had a sort of formal recognition from the Kansas City officials when the Mayor of Kansas City, Mark Funkhouser declared August 25 as the Gujarati Samaj Day in Kansas City.

The main sponsor of the event was Zee Gujarati. The theme of this year's event was the celebration of 60th anniversary of India's freedom.On this occasion, Chairman of Host Committee Pankaj Patel pitched for installation of a life size statute Mahatma Gandhi somewhere in the public place in Kansas City. This suggestion was well received by Joanna Edgerton, Chief Guest of the event and Director of International Affairs with Kansas City Mayor's office. FOGANA has membership of over 140 Gujarati associations from United States and Canada.

Every year, regional competitions are held between June and August. First place winners in different age groups and different categories receive invitation to participate in the National competition. This year, there were approximately 1,250 people in attendance. Thirty teams in different categories and various age groups aggressively competed to secure first place. According to Chandrakant Patel, Executive Vice President, FOGANA came into existence in 1980 and the first FOGANA competition was held on November 20-21, 1980.

He said that it was indeed an honor to have Promod Amin, the founding father of the organization who has with FOGANA since the inception, during the current competition. Impressed with efforts of the host committee, Kailash Patel said that she received numerous positive comments from participants, parents and choreographers over the nice organization of the event. Rajan Desai, President of Gujarati Samaj of Greater Kansas City mentioned the western region has been taking part in FOGANA competitions for the past two years.

Ulhas Sanjanwala, Chairman of Board of Trustees of Gujarati Samaj of Greater Kansas City stated that members of the Board of Trustees, Executive committee, members of the FOGANA host committee and many volunteers contributed a lot to make this event a big success. Ulhas further stated that it is people like these, who make the words 'dedication', 'loyalty' meaningful. The next FOGANA national dance competition will be held in Boston, MA in 2008.