ISW celebrates India Day 2021 at its newly reopened and expanded India Center

The India Society of Worcester (ISW) celebrated the 74^th year of Indian independence with its annual India Day celebration which for the first time was held at the newly expanded and reopened ISW India Center in Shrewsbury. For 31 years, ISW has celebrated the event at many different venues. For many, this year finally fulfilled a dream to be able to celebrate India Day at our own community center as over 700 people came together at the center enjoying the music, cultural show and various activities on a picture perfect day.

The event opened with an Opening Parade led by a dancing group of Lezim performers, a Maharashtrian folk dance and fitness drill, accompanied by a contingent of Dhol players and included the ISW Executive Board members and volunteers. The event was officially opened with the hoisting of the Indian and US flags by past ISW presidents, Dr. Sahdev Passey and Shyam Sharma followed by the singing of the Indian and US national anthems by ISW School student chorus. The audience was entertained by dazzling dance and music performances with participants of all ages expressing their interpretation of the event’s theme, “Happiness is…”. Many of the choreographers were happy to support in person dances, like Aangikam Dance Academy, and Ekta's Dance Academy and others. A unique feature of this year’s event was a team of dare-devil performers executing feats of skill with Mallakhamb, a traditional Indian exercise performed on a vertical pole.

The new ISW 2025 initiatives presenting their programs included a simultaneous live painting demonstration, flower arrangement and song put on by the ISW Symphony program which focuses on Literary Arts, Performing Arts, Visual Arts and Applied Arts; a demonstration of a Lego robot capable of solving any Rubik’s cube, a teaser for a Lego Robotics course one of many offered by ISW University; and presentations by the Women Empowering Women initiative about their next event on Summer Reflections and Achievements and ISW Professional and Entrepreneurial Network’s plans for monthly meetups and other activities. The regular programs of ISW were showcased by IYG with the Children Booth and many attendees flocked to the other booths, staffed by ISW Free Health Stop, Crisis Committee, India Center Rental team, and  ISW School teachers.

For the first time, ISW also held an all-ages Chess tournament that was co-hosted by Tara Academy as well as a live Art competition organized by Neha Ujlayan owner, ArtBuddies. The winners of the competitions were:

Chess Competition

19 years and Above:
1st Prize Nimisha Parekh

13-18 years Old:
1st Prize Rajit Naik

Under 12 years:
1st Prize Ansh Parekh

6-8 years old category:
Special Mention 1st Prize Gold Medal: Adarsh Kumaran
Appreciation Bronze Medals 6-8 years old: Vansh Goradia & Lakhith Chetla

Art Competition

13 year old and above:
1st Prize Jayant Rajesh

9-12 year old:
1st Prize Swarnamita Majumdar

Under 8 year old:
1^st Prize Niyati Dosala

Outside the center, ISW volunteers converted the grounds of the India Center into a mini-Indian mela with vendor stalls and delicious Indian food. As a final touch, Joseph M Petty, the Mayor of Worcester read a proclamation and declared August 7th, 2021, as India Day.  We thank all our sponsors and volunteers with whose support this event is made possible. 

The happy excited community members represented yet another sign of a return to a normal life. We hope this is the first of many exciting activities and events at the India Center that will engage all of our community in the coming months. We look forward to welcoming you.

|