Over 3,000 Indian Americans from the Greater Sacramento area and further away in California attended to witness the Indian Independence Day celebrations organised by the Indian Association of Sacramento (IAS).
The event took place on August 24, 2024, at 10 AM. The venue for the event was Hiram Johnson High School Theater in Sacramento. The presence of Indian regional leaders and distinguished personnel, monuments, and cultural representation added glory to this event.
“This year’s Independence Day will mark a new chapter in IAS’s history, organizing India Day with three seminars, and celebrating India’s Independence Day with the in-person cultural event at Hiram School Theater – Sacramento,” organisers said. IAS Board of Trustee Chairman Dr. Bhavin Parikh said that with the demonstration of the tricolors at the Hiram School venue, India Day history was created for the 3rd time in a row after the pandemic.
A large number of people dressed in traditional Indian clothes joined the celebration. Waving the Indian and American flags, they shouted slogans of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai”, “Vande Mataram”, and “Jai Hind”. The crowd sand both the Indian and American national anthems.
IAS President Bhaskar Vempati reiterated it was a historic moment for the Indian community as the mega tricolor flag was demonstrated at the entrance of Hiram High School Entrance. “It is indeed a proud moment for all of us, when India turns 78, we should turn the page on partisan communities. Our goal is a unified community,” Vempati said.
IAS Vice President Selvi Janarthan said, “Today is the day to celebrate our outstanding achievements, great successes, our freedom struggle, all the sacrifices done by the leaders and also to chart out our future course of action.”
C Sripal Reddy, Consul from the San Francisco Indian Consulate, attended the event. The guests of honour for this year’s IAS India Day include Padmasree Awardee Nazma Akthar; Dr. Ami Bera – a member of the United States House of Representatives from California since 2013; Bruce Houdesheldt – Mayor of the City of Roseville; Bobbie Singh-Allen – Mayor of Elk Grove City; YK Chalamcharla, Councilmember – City of Folsom and Ex. Vice Mayor Folsom City. District Attorney Thien Ho, Rich Desmond- Sacramento County Supervisor, and Dave Tamayo – SMUD Board Member, also attended the event.
IAS also initiated three seminars- the “College Seminar”, “Curbing Anti-Bias & Cultivating Safety of Local Indian Diaspora”, and “Impact of Social Media on Emotional and Physical Health” on the day.
In addition to the cultural activities, the IAS Sports Committee conducted indoor/outdoor sports in the categories of cricket, chess, badminton, table tennis, carrom, painting, volleyball, and throwball.
IAS Sports Committee leads Anu Nandagopal and Jay Shrivastava organised IAS Sports and awarded trophies to all the winners and runners-up.
IAS also recognised the Greater Sacramento Youth Achievers who are either in their senior year or have recently graduated. Senior student Sindhu Vemulapalli received the “Diamond” category award, while others were honoured with “Gold”, “Silver”, and “Recognition” awards.
For the year 2024, IAS announced that Weave and Pardada Pardadi Education Society (PPES) will receive the charity funds. Weave – a Sacramento-based charity has been supporting survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and sex trafficking. PPES has supported rural development in India through education, employment, and empowerment of girls and women by teaching them skills for a better future.
Vempati thanked all IAS leaders, including Executive Committee Members, Selvi Janarthana – Vice President, Amitab Shaik – Secretary, Bhavik Vyas – Treasurer and Siva Prasath Ponnusamy – Joint Secretary, and committee leads, including Magesh Kumar and Asha Konda – Cultural Leads, Jagan Yachavarapu, and Venugopal Acharya – Vendor Leads, Venkat Nagam, Gowri Shankar Kowtha, and Ilan Shankar – PR Leads, John Britto – Venue Lead, Jay Shrivastava, Anu Nandagopal, Prashant Joshi and Shekhar Tiwari – Sports Leads, Paresh Sinha – Parade Lead, Anupriya Ramraj – Seminars Lead, Hrishikesh Shende, and Puspa Venketshan – Charity Leads, other IAS board members, and volunteers for their tireless and selfless efforts, and for working round the clock to ensure the success of all the planned events.
