In the United States, Indian American organizations celebrate Indian Independence annually at numerous venues, with parades, and other functions. This year, all indoor events are obviously out of question due to Covid-19 pandemic and social distancing measures in place.

On Aug. 15, IAS unfurled the Indian tricolor flag in the lawn area in front of the California State Capitol. On the same day IAS conducted a car parade at State Capitol, Sacramento with over 30 decorated cars to mark the 75th year of Indian Independence.

Paresh Sinha and Vandana Sharma planned and led the car parade. Over 30 cars were decorated with Indian and U.S. flags, Indian regional leaders and distinguished personnel, monuments, and cultural representative symbols. Dr. Bhavin Parikh, Venu Mallesara, Shekher Tiwari, and Venkat Nagam helped with the car parade event coordination. The IAS board members, local Folsom city council member Y.K. Chalamcherla, IAS supporting organization members, and several community members joined the car parade.

Folsom Cordova Unified School District board member Chris Clark said that the Indian Independence was marked largely by non-violent resistance and civil disobedience, and Independence Day is celebrated by the Indian diaspora worldwide. Rancho Cordova city councilmember Siri Pulipati said Sacramento would not be the place it is without our thriving Indian American community.

Paresh and Vandana decorated their cars with colorful Indian flags and led the car parade. Other Indian American participants decorated their respective cars with tricolor flags and rallied around the State Capitol for about 15 mins. IAS President Bhaskar Vempati said, “It was the first time ever in region history that India’s largest tricolor flag has been unfurled at the iconic CA State Capital venue in all its glory. On this very special day when our mother country is celebrating her 75th birthday, I wish everyone a very happy Indian Independence Day.”

A large number of people, dressed in traditional Indian clothes and wearing masks, joined the celebration in front of the CA State Capitol building. Waving the Indian and American flags, the people shouted slogans of ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’, ‘Vande Mataram’ and ‘Jai Hind’.  The Indian national anthem was sung by the crowd. Sudheer Padinchara, Amar Pawar, Rajesh Yakkali, Sathish Moola, and Venu Acharya welcomed the attendees. The crowd erupted in huge cheers and applause as the Indian tricolor flag was raised in front of CA State Capital, alongside the American flag, commenting that it was indeed a proud and historic moment created for all. 

IAS vice president Vandana Sharma said it was a historic moment for the Indian community that the tricolor was unfurled in front of the CA State Capitol. “It is indeed a proud moment for all of us,” she said. IAS Joint Secretary Gobi Ramasamy said, “Over the last 75 years, India emerged as a largest democratic country and an example of global peace.” The Indian Association treasurer, Amitab Shaikh said “it is great to see the attendees joining the Capitol event in their regional traditional attire. The United States has a Vice President who is of Indian origin – which is special for this year.” Another IAS ex-president Ajit Natu thanked everyone who participated in the car parade beating the COVID pandemic in Sacramento.

Later that day,  hundreds of members of the Indian American community based in Greater Sacramento and across the world participated in the IAS Virtual India Day Celebrations live-streamed on Facebook and YouTube, mesmerized watching colorful rich Indian cultural performances. Participants and show leads, Madhuri Natu, Darshana Amin, Ranju Verma, Shivesh Sinha, and Romesh Trivedi were congratulated. Consul General of India at San Francisco Dr. T.V. Nagendra Prasad attended IAS India Day virtually and wished the Sacramento Indian Community on the occasion of 75th Independence Day. He spoke about the services provided by the consulate and how they are trying to help people to make it easier for them to get what they need in the pandemic. 

Virtual show viewer Swarnarekha Roy said, “I am so proud to be an Indian!!! Stunning choreography and excellent performance. Kudos to the team behind this piece of creation.” IAS representative Venugopal Acharya said, “the performers have worked hard in the middle of the pandemic to put up a nice show for India Day.” Another virtual show viewer Mangatram Lachhani said “​Stunning performances. Unity in diversity. IAS India Day is a real example.”

IAS thanked everyone for supporting India Day during COVID-19 pandemic.

The list of top three virtual performance winners are MMSAC, Light of Dance Academy, and Ankur. The virtual show also provided raffle prizes to the 10 attendees. IAS thanked Annachikdai Restaurant – Folsom, The Grand Cuisine – Roseville, Sanskrit Restaurant – Folsom, Chicago Pizza, Folsom, and Curry Bowl – Folsom for sponsoring the raffle prizes.

IAS officers Ranju Verma, Amitab Shaikh, and Gobi Ramaswamy expressed sincere thanks to the virtual show sponsors, Hindu American Foundation, Five Star Bank, Stratus Environmental, Manabadi Telugu school, Annapoorna USA Foundation, Suvidha International Foundation, and Kavita Sood, Insurance and Financial Services and the annual sponsors, Shankar Pathi – Realtor & Loan Officer, Reliance Super Mart, Satheesh Nagaraj – Realtor & Loan Officer, and Dr. Amar Pawar.

IAS can be reached at: http://www.iassac.org/