FIIDS Celebrates US 250, India I-Day With Bay Area Community

India-West News Desk

MILPITAS, CA – The Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS) marked the United States’ 250th anniversary alongside India’s Independence Day celebrations with a ‘Celebration of Democracy’ on August 2 at FalconX here, bringing together more than 150 members of the community and elected officials.

Consul General of India Dr. Srikar Reddy, who delivered the keynote address, spoke about the role of people-to-people ties in strengthening the India-US strategic partnership. He highlighted the Indian Consulate in San Francisco’s work to deepen bilateral relations in trade, culture, education and diplomacy, and praised the community’s role in connecting the two countries. Consuls Abhishek Sharma and Hasan Ali also attended.

FIIDS President Khanderaom Kand gave an overview of the organization’s recent activities, including its June Advocacy Summit in Washington, D.C., where FIIDS representatives met with members of Congress and Senate staffers to discuss issues affecting Indian Americans.

FIIDS Policy Advisor Yogi Chug coordinated a session featuring Bay Area elected officials, who spoke about the role of Indian Americans in American public and civic life. Those attending included the mayors of Milpitas and Sunnyvale, three current and former vice mayors, seven City Council members from six Bay Area cities, four Indian American candidates for elected office and eight commissioners.

The event also included a community felicitation for Reddy in recognition of his leadership and the Indian Consulate’s service to the diaspora. FIIDS Director of Policy Shachindra Nath led the session, which brought together representatives of more than 18 community organizations from the Bay Area.

Among the organizations represented were the Global Indian Technology Professionals Association, Overseas Friends of BJP, Association of Indian Americans, Fremont Hindu Temple, AUM School, Indo-American Chamber of Commerce, Uttaranchal Mandal of America, BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir and Abu Dhabi Hindu Mandir, Yoga Bharati, Global Organization of People of Indian Origin, Gujarati Cultural Association, Cupertino Bhuvneshwar Sister City Odisha Organization and Rajasthan Association of North America.