The India Association of Greater Boston (IAGB) held its annual India Day at the DCR Hatch Memorial Shell on the Esplanade in Boston on Sunday Aug. 12. Over fifteen thousand people turned out to celebrate the 65th Anniversary of India's independence. Each year the event is a high-energy event attracting the largest crowds in New England. This year that energy reached a high pitch as IAGB celebrated its Golden Jubilee.

The youngest member of the executive committee Saatvik Ahluwalia, a second generation Indian American, welcomed the audience.  Ragini Jawa sang the National anthem of United States while the Jyothi Sharma sang the Indian National Anthem accompanied by Sahana Srinivasan on the Violin.

This was followed by and address from IAGB President Amrit Soni.  Soni opened his remarks acknowledging the tragedy in Wisconsin and asked for a moment of silence  to honor those who lost their lives in the tragedy.  “The India Association of Greater Boston was initially formed in 1962,” said Soni. “The year 2012 marks the Golden Jubilee Anniversary of IAGB. For the last 50 years, this organization has remained active in serving the community. During all of these years, countless numbers of people have worked hard in supporting and celebrating the community -- thank you all for your support throughout these years. While you are watching this program today, I want you all to ask yourselves, how you can contribute to the success and the greater good of the Indian-American community, and what can we pass on to the future generations that can make us all proud in the country we live, that is the United States of America.”  Eshita Chakrabarty talked about Saheli, a sister organization of IAGB.  The chief guest for the event was Indian Ambassador to the Unites States Nirupama Rao. The guest of honor was Massachusetts Rep. John F. Tierney.

The emcees for the evening were Kavyashree Mallanna, Manju Sheth, Monica Mehta, Richie Chaudhary and Ruchika Arora. While there was a showcase of many items including "Dil Hai Hindustani Medley," "Mangalacharan," "Ghanan Ghanan," "Bhumro Bhumro," "Bhare Naina," "Bollywood Medley," "Indian Dancing Butterflies," "Luka Chuppi," "Rang De," "Boston Bhangra,",  "Desi Red," "Boston Garba," "Desi Swag," "Fauj Bhangra" and "MIT Summer Bhangra” three special presentations were highlighted.

The first special presentation, Sarva Natya Mallika was a unique classical dance presentation where twenty dance teachers and senior dancers came together to present a piece that integrated the four classical dances styles of India – Kuchipudi, Bharatanatyam and Odissi coordinated by Jeyanthi Ghatraju and Ranjani Saigal.  Hindi Manch presented two very special Bollywood numbers – a Qawaali from Mughal-E-Azam and the famous “Chalat Musafir” from the movie Teesri Kasam.

The energy of the afternoon reached a high pitch with a flash mob to the song Jai Ho. The event was coordinated and lead on the stage by Nikita Punjabi and a few groups on the ground managed by Lata Mundkar.  The song had many on their feet dancing away.  All three special items were extremely well received by the attending public.

To mark the Golden Jubilee occasion, there was a special IAGB Golden Jubilee Parade that included past organization presidents, the current executive committee and representatives from other Indian groups.

Amrit Soni, President IAGB read Governor's India Day Proclamation and Citation congratulating IAGB on its Golden Jubilee and thanked Ms. Kumu Gupta for getting these.

The event ended with Mohan Dali recognizing his fellow cultural committee members Ranjani Saigal, Preetesh Shrivastava, Lata Mundkur, Nikita Punjabi, Umesh Rao, Jeyanthi Ghatraju and Vijay Shriwardhank and a beautiful vote of thanks by Hardeep Mann. The perfect weather, the beautiful performances and the positive energy in the crowds made this an event to remember and a fitting tribute to an organization fifty years in existence.

Quotes from past IAGB presidents and senior members of the community who attended the event:

The arrangement, quality and execution was fabulous –  Mool Raj Mathur

Yesterday's program was one of the best program we have ever seen, our sincere thanks to all participants and also all those who arranged  – Prabhu/Draupadi Rathi

I sincerely salute the EC for taking IAGB to the highest peaks ever – Nannaji Saka

Thank you---it was a great success-I enjoyed every minute of it – Alok De

Congratulations to the committee for putting up a fine Independence Day program – Kaplesh Kumar

I want to congratulate the Executive Committee for an outstanding job to celebrate India Independence Day – D.N. Chadha

Congratulations to the hard working EC for putting up a beautiful show. The parade was wonderful and the tricolor sashes for all the dignitaries and past presidents added an unique flavor to your parade – Chander Kapasi

 
Executive Committee –

President: Amrit Soni
Vice President: Anil Saigal
Secretary: Pravin Mundkur
Treasurer: Vikram Udeshi

Board members

Saatvik Ahluwalia
Ravi Chaudhary
Mohan Dali
Sharda Gupta
Zehra Khan
Hardeep Mann
Sunil Mhaskar
Rajesh Shah
Shiva Sheel
Preetesh Shrivastava
Vijay Shriwardhankar
Jayashree Voruganti

|