Neha, Mauli add glamour to FIA banquet

Award ceremony at the banquet

FREMONT, CA: FIA Northern California chapter hosted a Festival of India 2009 banquet night in San Ramon Marriott on Sunday, August 16 from 8 pm till midnight.

Miss India 2002 and well-known Bollywood actress Neha Dhupia and Houston-based singer and a finalist on Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2007 Mauli Dave attended the event as Grand Marshals, adding lot of color and glamour to the event.

Bay area singer Alka Bhatnagar started the proceedings by paying respect to motherland India by singing "Vande Mataram".

After this the floor was opened to a young group of Bay area dancers who performed on Bollywood songs like "Om Mangalam" from movie Kambakht-Ishq, "Muqabala" by A. R. Rehman and some more.

FIA President Dr Romesh Japra continued the proceedings by honoring special guests, which included San Jose Council member Ash Kalra, Mayor of Fremont Bob Wasserman with fellow council members and Mayor of Union City Mark Green. He took the opportunity to introduce, thank and welcome Grand Marshal Neha Dhupia.

This was followed by Neha giving away appreciation awards to sponsors of the event as well as some distinguished volunteers of FIA.

Dr. Japra and Yogi Chug thanked Neha for graciously accepting the invitation and being a great Grand Marshal of the event.

Once the awards ceremony was over, Dr Japra requested young singer Mauli Dave to take the center stage. She grabbed everyone's attention by singing "Kaisi Paheli" from movie 'Parineeta'.  Then onwards she sang many hit movie songs including a folk song from Bihar. Everyone got into dancing mood and got on to the dance floor.

This event was attended by almost 600 people that included FIA volunteers, sponsors and guests. Music, dance, glamour and tasty Indian food made sure that everyone had a great evening.

Prafull Lande