UIASC Celebrate I-Day In Buena Park, CA

Photos: Radhika Patel

India-West Staff Reporter

BUENA PARK, CA – The United Indian Associations of Southern California (UIASC) celebrated the 77th Independence Day of India on August 19 at the Jain Center, here with the theme, ‘Indian cultural intelligence vs. artificial intelligence.’

The ceremony was attended by more than 750 people.

The lamp lighting to inaugurate the event was done by the Mayor of Buena Park, Arthur Brown who said, “I welcome this organization to the city, I have been coming to the Jain Center for 20 years and I am very thankful to the Indian community to promote cultural diversity in the city, appreciate the positive work that the Indian Diaspora has been doing.”

Sudip Gorakshakar provided an overview of Indian growth and progress in the last 77 years in various sectors, followed by the presentation by the youth of their vision of India after 25 years including a question and answer session by Jasmine Sivakumaran and Sujash Mukherjee.

The cultural event was presented by Ashi Naren from Dance Dewane which included a classical dance with the transition to Artificial Intelligence which was the theme of this year’s celebration. Savithri Arts Academy, Diwdi dance group, Ranga Shree Dance Academy, and a number by Vinaini Jayasinghe with various dance forms including classical and folk made presentations.

The event included live instrumental classical music by musicians from India including Pusthakam Ramaa (vocal), P Janardhana Rao (Mridangam), KS Jayaram (Flute), MS Manjunathan (Rhythm pad). The program also featured local artists and renditions of patriotic songs.  

Conveners for the event were Kewal Kanda, Sukrit Mukherjee, Vasu Pawar, Rajeshwari Kulkarni, Dr. Manorama Gupta, and Amrit Bhandari.