SANTA CLARA, CA: Republic Day is a major holiday in India, commemorating the day in 1950 when the post-partition democratic Constitution came into force. President Barack Obama became the first American leader in history to be Chief Guest at India’s grand Republic Day celebrations Monday, an honor that underscored the growing warmth between the two countries.
Federation of Indo-Americans Association (FIA) on Sunday 25th January celebrated Indian Republic Day at Santa Clara Convention Center Theater, Santa Clara.
Dr Romesh Japra, FIA Chairman, eminent social activist of Bay Area explained the significance of freedom and remembered the sacrifice made by our freedom fighters and national leaders, who gave us the whole new world to enjoy and explore. Although India obtained its independence on August 15, 1947, it did not yet have a permanent constitution. The Republic Day of India commemorates January 26, 1950 as the date on which the Constitution of India came into force replacing the Government of India Act 1935 as the governing document of India.
It is one of the most important days in Indian history. The Republic Day celebrations remind us yet again, that the foundations of the Indian Republic are based on the ideals of justice, pluralism and democracy. Dr Japra said we are fortunate to have born in largest democracy in the World, India and live in oldest democracy of world, United States. It’s obviously a great moment to have President Obama to visit India on Republic Day and have the world’s attention turned towards us. It’s very exciting, he said.
Venkatesan Ashok, Guest of Honor
It is apparent that the Indian community in the Bay Area has not forgotten its roots. This weekend, FIA organized an event to celebrate India’s 66th Republic Day in the Bay Area. Shri Venkatesan Ashok, Consul General of India in San Francisco, was the honorable guest for this grand event. Ambassador Venkatesan Ashok graduated in Civil Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi and joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1982. Ambassador Ashok has held diplomatic assignments in Hong Kong, Malaysia, China, Austria and Sri Lanka, apart from postings in the Ministry of External Affairs in different capacities.
He was Director of External Relations in the Department of Atomic Energy between 1995-1998 following which he was appointed as India’s Alternate Governor and Alternate Permanent Representative in the International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna.
He was the Division Chief of Central Europe in the Ministry of External Affairs prior to his assignment as Ambassador of India to the Republic of Zimbabwe between March 2008-June 2011. Ambassador Ashok served as Ambassador of India to the Czech Republic from August 2011 – September 2014. He has taken charge as Consul General of India in San Francisco w.e.f. 21 November 2014.
The celebrations were attended by eminent dignitaries namely Deputy CG Dr. K.J. Srinivasa, Council member Ash Kalra (candidate for State Assembly 2016), Ro Khanna, Kansen Chu, Anu Natarajan , Rishi Kumar, Teresa Cox. Well-decked up tableaux, and song and dance presentations by children added to the variety of the ceremony.
This popular event has grown from 100 to over 280 contest participants, with more than 2000 people attending the event. The talent contest competition started at 3 pm. and featured a variety of talents, including India’s folk dances, Bollywood dancing, singing and drawing competition. The talent contest was open to kids ages 4-11. The cultural show was conceived and emceed by Vijaya Aasuri, Cultural chair of FIA. Towards the end of the event, elected officials and dignitaries, including state senators, state assembly members and city council members presented trophies to the winners.
On one level, the entire day’s activities are a way to get children involved in the community, said Yogi Chugh, an Indian American member of the Fremont Planning Commission. “But in the bigger scheme, it is a celebration of democracy,” Chugh said. “India is the world’s largest democracy, and the U.S. is one of its oldest democracies. This is the day India transformed itself and chose to become a Republic, and we here who live in America want to celebrate that.”
Dr Romesh Japra, Chairman of FIA, thanked the dignitaries, performers, sponsors and volunteers for making the evening a memorable one.
India Post News Service
