Huge Himachal Day Celebrations Held In Bay Area

India-West Staff Reporter
MILPITAS, CA – Himachal Day was celebrated with great aplomb by the Bay Area Himachal Group at the India Community Center here, on April 16.
The event started by the lighting of the lamp and chanting of the Gayatri Mantra by Pt. Ranjan Zed who is known for his active engagement in interfaith dialog and an audio message from the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh Sukhvinder Singh, a press release said.

The event, which was attended by over 500 people, also had in attendance, Akshai Runchal who through his organization, Kangra Arts Promotion Society, is working to reinvigorate and preserve the Kangra School of art. Congressman Ro Khanna’s District Director Tom Pyke, who was there, pointed out that Ro Khanna’s grandfather was from Kangra There was also State Senator Dave Cortese, State Assembly Members Ash Kalra, Alex Lee, County Supervisors Cindy Chavez, Otto Lee, Council member Santa Clara Raj Chahal and President Advisory Commission Ajay Bhutoria.
The spirit of Himachal was on display with the community showcasing the traditional Nati, Gidda, poetry, Pahadi songs and fashion show. The entire crowd swayed to the beautiful songs and danced to the music of the hills.

Everyone enjoyed the exquisite cuisine of Himachal called the ‘Dhaam.= It had delicacies from different districts of Himachal and included dishes like Madra, Channe ka Khatta, Mukkand Baree, Dal, Paneer, Chawal, Badane ka meetha and Himachal saunf, all cooked to perfection by Chef Vittal of Jalsa Catering.

The proceeds collected from the Himachal Day Celebrations have been earmarked for UNI Charity, whose primary focus is to help sick kids with congenital heart diseases.