Federation of Indian Associations celebrated 75 years of Indian Independence and honored the Asia heritage month with an event on Capitol Hill, seat of the US Congress, in Washington, DC.
FIA was recognized for the May 12 event in Rayburn building on Capitol Hill Complex, attended by several influential US lawmakers and Indian community from several states, in Congressional Record Vol.168, No. 81.
The theme for the celebrations for the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav- celebrating 75 years of Indian Independence was unveiled by Indian American House member Raja Krishnamoorthy, according to an FIA press release.
The theme for the attempt at the Guinness Book of World Records for largest number of flags flown and the largest drum assemble was also unveiled by lawmakers at the event.
They included Tom Malinowski, Vicente González, Hakeem Jefferies, Adriano Espaillat, Matthew Cartwright, David Cicilline, Jim McGovern, and Congresswomen Mikie Sherrill, Sheila Jackson Lee, Abigail Spanberger, Susie Lee, Grace Meng and Deborah K. Ross.
Commending FIA for bringing people from various states to the event, Krishnamoorthy emphasized the need for Indian Americans to stand for elections for various elected bodies.
FIA President Kenny Desai called it a historical moment for Indian Americans to celebrate the 75th anniversary of India’s Independence Day at the US Capitol.
Speaking about the Asian heritage month, he also paid tribute to “generations of Asians who have contributed to our homeland, the United States of America and we continue their good work.”
FIA Chairman Ankur Vaidya said that the event was a precursor to the India Day parade, the largest outside India, and other major events being planned in New York city around India’s August 15 Independence Day.
The event also had cultural performances from India and Nepal. Noted Indian choreographer Kush Banker enthralled the audience with his dance steps and life coach and motivational speaker Himani from Happiness Hub kept them engrossed.
The event saw particularly large participation from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and New England region.
From FIA attendees included New England presidnt Abhishek Singh, past president Srujal Parikh, ex-vice president and event chair Himanshu Bhatia, vice president Saurin Parikh, vice presidents NE Shova Sharma & Sanjay Gokhale, secretary Praveen Bansal, joint secretary Smita Patel, treasurer Amit Ringasiya, joint secretary Mahesh Dubal.
Also in attendance were past president and chairman of Bihar Foundation Alok Kumar, Federation of Indian American Seniors Association of North America (FISANA) president Deepak Shah, Bihar-Jharkhand Association of North America (BJANA) president Anurag Kumar, Parsippany Senior Association president Bharat Rana, and Republican Coalition chair Hemant Bhatt.
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