IACA Celebrates 57th Republic Day and Pays Tribute to Gandhi
Indian American Cultural Association (IACA) celebrated the 57th Indian Republic day and Gandhi's death anniversary at IACA auditorium on 28th January, 2007. Speakers at the symposium remembered the sacrifices of the martyrs who died for the country during the course of the freedom movement and the successive wars that were fought for the sovereignty of their country. The celebration started with the hoisting of U.S. and Indian Flags and singing of the respective national anthems. Chief Guest Annette Kesting, commissioner of Cobb County, hoisted the US flag and IACA president Dr. Gouranga Banik hoisted the Indian Flag.
There was a discussion regarding the importance of Republic Day for India and the sacrifice made by Mahatma Gandhi. The county commissioner talked about the contributions of Indian Americans towards Georgia and greater Atlanta. She also paid tribute to Gandhi.
Dr. Banik recalled the work of all the leaders who contributed so much during pre- and post independence. He talked about ahimsa, the philosophy of nonviolence propagated by Gandhi and other world leaders like Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela who were inspired by this philosophy.
Mr. Surinder Bahl, Chair of IACA board, thanked the audience for their presence and asked them to to participate in other activities. The rest of the afternoon was devoted to patriotic and devotional performances by Bandana Sharma, Novonil Banik, Suparna Chowdhury, Krisnakali Bakshi and group, Vinit Adit and family and others. Ms. Richa Sarker presented the program during the afternoon with her usual aplomb.
��� IACA also held a drawing competition, organized by Bandana Sharma, for children of various age groups. There was an overwhelming response by the little future heroes of our country. They showed their patriotism by participating in the drawing competition with various patriotic themes. Prizes and certificates were awarded by Dr. Banik. It was a great event which began and ended with love for India. Manish Sharma, vice president of IACA, coordinated the event.
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