Indo-American Youth Group

The Indo-American Youth Group (IAYG) launched its first event at “Newton Celebrates India”, sponsored by Mayor Setti Warren’s Office for Cultural Affairs on Saturday, November 16^th. The group was founded to provide an opportunity for community service, leadership and a forum for discussion for kids of Indian heritage from grades six through twelve. It’s Board of Officers is currently drawn from grades eight and up and sets the direction for the group. The current Board of Officers consists of Co-Presidents, Surya Pandit and Varoun Gulati, Co-Vice-Presidents, Sagar Lal and Aiyappa Kodendera, Technology Co-Chairs, Ishaan Bhojwani and Ishaan Prasad, Social Co-Chairs, Anika Misra and Anika Sharma, Community Service Co-Chairs, Keshav Narra, Arnav Srikanth and Maahin Gulati, and Marketing and Publicity Co-Chairs, Meera Pandit and Arnav Prasad.

For many Indian-American families, the practice of their faith is likely to be individual and personal rather than through a religious congregation. This tradition combined with the distance to a temple, has often meant that for many young Indian-Americans, it is challenging to be part of a community that nurtures identity, and provides strength and support outside a family context. Therefore, IAYG was created as a non-denominational group to fill this void resulting from the lack of access to community support. “Every time, I had to organize a community event or fundraiser, even as simple as a bake sale, I had to depend on my school community. Yet, I noticed that my friends had other groups belonging to their church, temple or Boy Scout troop that they could tap into. I felt that other kids with my background, probably faced the same challenge”, says Varoun Gulati, a junior in high school and founder and co-president of the group with Surya Pandit, also a junior. Aiyappa Kodendera, co-vice-president and a sophomore also concurs that kids of Indian heritage tend to be “handicapped by the lack of community support when it comes to service projects.”

At the first meeting of the Board of Officers, “the kids were brimming with ideas”, said one of the parent facilitators. It was also an opportunity for Indian-American youth from different schools across Boston to come together and connect. These included middle and high schools in Lexington, Newton, Needham, Dedham, Wellesley as well as Boston. Co-Vice-President, Sagar Lal, also a junior, feels that the group provides a valuable opportunity for leadership. Meera Pandit, an eighth grader and Marketing and Publicity Co-Chair hopes that this group will help create cohesiveness and pride in their heritage and culture. In addition to community service projects, the group will be organizing discussions and inviting speakers to their forums and events.

The students came up with creative ideas for the India day in Newton held recently showcasing their group, demonstrating board games in cricket and carrom, a “strike and pocket” game similar to table shuffleboard as well as providing an opportunity to dress up in Indian outfits. Through its activities at the Newton event, any funds raised by IAYG will be used to fulfill Christmas wishes of foster care kids through the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families. 

Membership in the group and committees as well as activities are open to children in grades six and up. For more information or further details, please e-mail info@indoamericanyouthgroup.org or call (847) 800 3608. 

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