BEVERLY HILLS: The Beverly Hilton played host to a major South Asian Community Gala FOSAAC featuring Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villagairosa,  former DNC Chairman and Clinton advisor Terry McAuliffe, Kevin Kaul (FOSAAC founder), Marla Maples (former Mrs. Donald Trump), Amrita Thapar (Miss India), Jimmy Jeanlouis (actor, Heroes), Daria Trifu (actress), Bruno Pischiutta (Toronto Pictures), Camille McDonald (from America's Next Top Model) , Sasha , (Miss India Global), along with a bevy of models and members of the   fashion community at the Fashion extravaganza by Sanjana Jon in support of the crown prince of couture designer Anand Jon.

 

Among the frivolity of the Emmy parties, designer and social activist Sanjana Jon started LA Fashion Week in style. A line up of stunning models wearing "We Support Anand Jon" opened a spectacular fashion presentation on the 15 of September for the annual gala event for FOSAAC celebrating 60 years of Indian independence. The show was dedicated to supporting global independence and civil rights. The audience was ecstatic – the show was the highlight of the night's event.

 

The press reception prior to the opening ceremony was packed and many press clamored to get their time with Ms. Jon. International and local press and media included CNN, Sahara, Zoom, ZEE TV TV Asia and other local Indian newspapers and magazines.

 

A powerful video presentation by director Anirudh Garg ran before the music cued the first runway walker. The video featured images of Anand Jon as a young man.   The presentation humanized him versus a harsh, media-driven, sensationalized world. It showed him as a family man, a spiritual man, a man of substance, values and personality.

 

After the LA Mayor introduced Terry McAuliffe, Sanjana Jon, Marla Maples, Camille McDonald, and Amrita Thapar took the stage and made a plea to the community and politicians to take a strong stance and consideration regarding the violation of individuals’ civil rights. Guilty by Color should be eradicated and justice served was the main message promoted through the show.

 

Supporters, guests and fashion crew including international fashion producers flew in from across the globe.  45 models participated and devoted their services to show their support of AJ. Int'l Fashion director Christian Ruart from Paris, NY and Milan flew in to direct the show. Hair and make up by Madeeha Kibriya & Jeannie Jeffries Couture Beauty enhanced the fabulous show

 

Those attending the event came together and stood in silent support of one of their own. Lines of women gave their ovation and support to Shashi Abraham for her son and for her struggle against injustice. Bruno P is looking forward to Anand Jon appearing as a lead in one of his Toronto Picture films and Daria Trifu from Daria! Magazine is profiling his charitable efforts for an upcoming issue. "People have to understand the industry to truly comprehend the unbelievable irrationality of this case", was the word from several fashion insiders.

 

Sanjana Jon has worked with the UN and has promoted AIDS Awareness through the tour started by her brother Anand Jon with the reigning Miss Universe Amelia Vega, Jennifer Hawkins, Natalie Glebova and Zuleyka Rivera. Kal Penn (actor), Michelle Rodriguez (actor), Salman Khan (actor), Howie Dorough (Backstreet Boys), Paris Hilton and Princess Olivia de Bourbon are few of the many celebrities Sanjana Jon has worked with.

 

 Awards ceremony and artist performances followed the fashion show.

 

However it does not end here. There are many unanswered questions. India Post did a front-page story on the issue about two weeks ago and that feature covered a number of issues related to this case. What was NOT dealt with in detail was the role (or the absence thereof) played by the Govt of India and the Indian Embassy in Washington DC and the Indian consulate in San Francisco. We all know the human rights scenario in India and the value of human life in that country. As for the Indian diplomatic missions here the less said the better.

 

The key question that arises here is that is the Indian Embassy and the many consulates here simply to wag their tails at visiting Ministers and “VIPs” from India or are they here to safeguard the interests of Indian nationals in this country.

 

Anand Jon is an Indian national holding an Indian passport. Has anybody from the Indian consulate in San Francisco or the Indian embassy in Washington DC visited Anand Jon since he was arrested and incarcerated. Ronen Sen, BS Prakash, can you explain this? The same applies to the Indian Minister for NRIs, Vyalar Ravi. 

 

Ravi, it’s all very well for you to come here and make long speeches about what your ministry is doing for NRIs, particularly in areas to make it easier for NRIs to invest in India. Its all about getting NRIs to give their hard earned dollars to India. Anand Jon is not only an NRI but an NRI who has done India proud and is also an NRI from the state that voted Vyalar Ravi to power and to the head of the ministry that he controls. Yes, Anand Jon is Kerala’s very own and what is the illustrious minister of NRI affairs doing about it? Can anybody in from the Govt of India or the Indian Embassy/Consulate answer this?

 

The fact of the matter is that when Anand was at the pinnacle of success then everybody stood up to claim him as their own. Today at a time when he is going through his worst nightmare everybody has let him down.

 

We can all show our support in many ways. Talk to your lawmakers, talk to your local media, and above all demonstrate your solidarity by showing up at the courthouse for his hearings. Folks, today its Anand Jon tomorrow it could be your dad, brother son or husband.

The purpose of the show was to make a strong statement supporting civil rights and people should contact wesupportanandjon@gmail.com with comments and letters of support. Also check www.anandjon.com .