India Association of Rhode Island (IARI) celebrated the India Independence Day on Saturday, August 11. Nearly 300 Indian Americans from Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts came to the Colt State park in Bristol, Rhode Island. The waters of Narragansett Bay provided a perfect backdrop to the celebrations. The picnic spot where the festivities took place was decorated in saffron, white and green.  Children particularly enjoyed cotton-candy and bouncy house. Traditional Indian snacks and bhutta (corn roasted on charcoal fire) were very popular with the attendees. Area restaurants provided sumptuous food for the attendees. Many families brought their own food creations to share with the community. Singers from the community established the mood by singing patriotic songs. The flags of India, the US and the State of Rhode Island were displayed. Children warmed our hearts as they sang Indian and American national anthems.

The cooperation and camaraderie between US, the oldest and India, the largest democracy is increasing. In the area of defense cooperation, the Indian government is purchasing equipment such as the Hercules transport aircraft from the US. Fitting to the occasion, personnel from the Indian Air Force undergoing training on these aircraft in the USA joined the celebrations. On the people-to-people front, a very enthusiastic group of Infinity Volunteers joined in. This is group of high school students, primarily from the Portsmouth RI High School, that goes to various places in the world to do volunteer work. They are planning to go to India in February 2013 to help build 40 homes. Our own children enthusiastically talked to the Infinity Volunteers and provided them first-hand knowledge of life in India and what to expect.

The celebration was a huge success and people were enthusiastic about other upcoming events. IARI holds monthly community soup kitchens at the Federal Hill House in Providence, RI. Continuing with the India Day theme, the IARI will hold an India Day festival at the City of Providence on August 24. The City of Providence will hoist the flag of India on the Providence City Hall on August 15 in recognition of India Day. For additional information about IARI or upcoming activities, email us at contact@indiari.org.

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