CHICAGO: Things Change and many a time not in a way that one would like. The India Day celebrations fall into this category. In yesteryears, the celebration right from the kick off stage to the ending of colorful parades used to be really a grand and exhilarating affair with the Chicago Mayor thru its Event Office taking the lead in kicking off the celebrations days before the D Day- August 15. But this is no longer so for the past few years.
In good old days, the Indian Consulate in Chicago would invite elites to its Downtown office signaling celebrations on August 15 followed with a grand banquet in the evening. The tradition is continued but it is getting lusterless every year passing, especially the evening reception.
Indian Americans in large number would await the India Day events and participate wholeheartedly at all the different programs, be it the two different Parades or three different entertainment programs. The participation from the community is there but the enthusiasm is on the wane. This is despite the fact that the number of Indian Americans in Chicagoland have multiplied more than five times in the past few decades only. The intra community divisions, play of ego among leaders, unflattering news, stories of corruption and scandals and unsavory political developments from motherland – all have sapped the morale and enthusiasm of the public at large.
Overall things this year too have followed the pattern set in the past few years. The community as a whole is getting less and less interested and more disenchanted. The Indian CG event in the morning charted the traditional line with flag salutation, reading of the Indian President Pranob Kumar Mukherjee’s speech and a welcome address from the newly arrived CG Dr Ausaf Saeed. A good number of Indian Americans and Consulate staff was present during the event
The evening reception at Chicago Cultural Center in Downtown turned out to be a routine affair with relatively thin attendance from the community members and the presence of a smaller band of elected Chicago officials at the event.
The saving grace was a beautiful speech by CG Dr Ausaf Saeed. He underlined the importance of US India partnership and the helpful role of Indian Diaspora in cementing this tie. His ending was very gracious and could not have been more timely. Quoting from a remarkable book by Will Durant, a prolific American writer, historian, and philosopher, The Case for India, he said “India was the motherland of our race and Sanskrit the mother of Europe’s languages; she was the mother of our philosophy; mother, through the Arabs, of much of our mathematics; mother, through the Buddha, of ideals embodied in Christianity; mother, through the village community, of self-government and democracy. Mother India is in many ways the mother of us all.”
MC Madhumita Chakraborty welcomed all to the reception. This was followed by singing of National Anthems of Republic of India and the United States of America by Lisa Mishra. Cake-cutting by the Consul General followed amidst clapping and cheers. Dan Rutherford, Illinois State Treasurer made brief remarks commending Indo-US relationship and congratulating Indians.
Dorothy Brown, Clerk, Circuit Court of the of Cook County, Special Guest Dr Rachard Lariviere, President, The Field Museum of Chicago, Daniel Goff representing the Office of the Governor of Illinois; Jenny Cizner from the Office of the Mayor of Chicago, Nettie Lasko from the Office of Attorney General of Illinois addressed the gathering.
The main thrust of the speeches was that India has risen to become one of the world’s largest and fastest growing economies since gaining independence in 1947, thanks to the remarkable work ethic of Indian people. Even in the midst of the worst global recession in half a century, India remained a beacon of hope. Expanding and strong trade relationship buffered with equally strong cultural exchanges enrich communities in both the countries.
Yet another highlight of the reception was stellar performances by Saraswati Ranganathan and her Instrumental Music Group of six members which enthralled those present.
Suresh Shah, Harish Rao & Asian Media USA
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