Author: IAALV Editor

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Report on Republic Day of India 2020

Republic Day 2020 Pictures

Written by Gauri Kshirsagar. Feb 18, 2020

IAALV celebrated the 71st Republic day of India on 26 th January 2020 at Whitaker Auditorium in Bethlehem PA.

The event coordinated by team IAALV’s collaboration along with the efforts of the program committee led by program Director Anitha Baru was a grand success with a packed auditorium by the attendees and dignitaries from the Lehigh Valley.

Guests were welcomed by kids patriotic song salutation to India ‘Vande Mataram’ with the melody of flute and keyboard music.

The youth group’s ‘Yuva’ song had lot of energy and enthusiasm. It was followed by our little singer “Pahini Vyas” singing in her cute and melodious voice.

Nandini Sikand, mesmerized the audience by Odissi classical dance performance.

The patriotism was illuminated in the auditorium from the singing performances by local talented artists Nirav Vyas, Ashwin Deshmukh, Anitha Baru, Puran Baru and Gauri Kshirsagar with lot of applause.

Shalini Khandelwal interviewed Young achievers Neil Deshmukh and Rhea Malhotra. They shared their success journey with the audience.

An insight on the work and organization of youth group of IAALV led by Nitin Laud enlightened the dignitaries and guests.

The event concluded with Family Game show, Quiz and Antakshari session with enthusiastic participation well executed by Sandeep Dhareshwar.

Guests enjoyed delicious snacks and ‘Biryani’ courtesy of Bibi’s Grocery and Mayuri Indian Cuisine.

Team IAALV would like to thank all the dignitaries and guests for their gracious presence and continued support.

Pictures

Pictures by Puran Baru and Rajib Barua

View all pictures | View bonus pictures

Videos

Click on the three bars on the top-right corner to view the complete playlist.
Videos recorded by Kama Ramoju.

News Media

On Morning call
On Mana TV (Telugu news network – TV5)

Testimonials

Good morning, Vijay:

I came away from our 2020 Republic Day celebration of last Sunday, very elated. Irrefutably, the event was one of the best in recent years, with increased participation and overflowing auditorium.

I say this with absolute conviction as I observed — and firmly believe that people with discerning eyes will agree with me — some noticeable enhancements in every department. The members of the newly elected Team IAALV took ownership and proffered services to the attendees with a “Midas Touch.”

I am pleased to say that the “Baton” has been passed on smoothly, and, most importantly and appropriately, to our young folks endowed with many positive attributes. I am confident that IAALV is in safe hands, and the dedication of the Team IAALV members to our community will unequivocally make a mark in this adopted country of ours.

I remain confident of this: I will see the “New Team” through their team-based efforts successfully taking tour association to even greater heights.

All the best as Team IAALV forges ahead uniting and serving Lehigh Valley’s 7,000 plus Indian-Americans irrespective of their faith and affiliations.

Ashim Bhowmick

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IAALV Honored Congressman Charlie Dent

Let’s make a bonfire of our negativity and

bring a color of positivity in our lives and

in the lives of all who surround us

in this adopted country of ours.

 

Wishing you heath, wealth and happiness on

this Holi as you strive to become and remain

an integral part of American milieu.

 

Happy Holi!

 

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Sunday February 25th 2018

Honoring Congressman Charlie Dent

for his unwavering support and friendship of over 25 Years to Lehigh Valley Indian-Americans

 

Dear Esteemed Members of Our Community:

In the early nineties, recognizing the importance of becoming an integral part of the local fabric and building political power for our community, we made a conscious decision to change the course of our organization based on an ideological commitment that goes beyond the intent to live and work in the United States – become a part of the local fabric.

From its primary focus to service its own community — the association founded in 1972 as India Association of the Lehigh Valley (IALV), in 1996 adopted a new name Indian-American Association of Lehigh Valley (IAALV) — to one of interaction with other ethnic and non-ethnic organizations, elected officials local, state and federal and the media in the Lehigh Valley. Thus, we began engaging elected officials in our events with fairly good success.

On Sunday, February 25th, 2018, IAALV Officers on behalf of the Lehigh Valley Indian-Americans thanked the Congressman for his friendship and support over the years and presented a plaque as a token of appreciation for the enriching engagement our small community had enjoyed and the attention to issues related to our community from his office.

Indian-American Association of Lehigh Valley (IAALV) is here because hundreds of our community volunteered to be officers over the years. Because of their hard work, today IAALV enjoys a special place in the Lehigh Valley. Through their efforts a lot more people in our Lehigh Valley know about India and the aspirations of Indian-Americans but are also aware of the way we serve our broader community. 

I have been a part of IAALV since 1989 and have played many a role (along with many able leaders) in the organization with the conviction that while it is important for us to maintain our heritage it is equally important to be part of the local fabric. Our country and the Lehigh Valley are going through some trying times as evidenced by the daily news. Long and well established principles inscribed on the Statue of Liberty are questioned again and again in the context of immigrants and the role they/we play. It is important that we maintain the momentum of the past to ensure our children and future generations have even better opportunities than we have enjoyed in this adopted country of ours. It is in that context I bring to your attention the need for and the success of Indian-American Political Action Committee (IPAC) – a PAC supporting the Indian-American community.

India Abroad Coverage of Congressman Charlie Dent

Before I step back from the public scene – which could be soon due to my age, health and familial reasons — I would like to ensure that IPAC which was reestablished in 2017 (originally established in 1994) as an independent entity is fully functional and rejuvenated with support of all Indian-American of Lehigh Valley. The new officers of IPAC are working diligently to meet this prime importance to the LV Indian-American community.

With Hon. Congressman Charlie Dent’s decision of not seeking reelection, our community is losing a great friend of over 25 years and we are now faced with a challenge to find, campaign and support a candidate that shall remain a friend.

Folks, our future depends on how well we become and remain an integral part of American milieu. Else, I am afraid we will continue to struggle with ‘Indophobia’ which we have a tendency to disbelieve because of our own ideological defenses that it is nothing to do with us Indians as we want to strongly believe that ‘Indophilia’ still exists in the country we so lovingly adopted.

All the best as we forge ahead strengthening community ties, grassroots organizing, and creating diverse alliances both internal and external by strengthening alliances that IAALV has already in place and continuing to seek new ones.

God Bless Us All!

– Ashim Bhowmick

PS: Here are some pictures of the event.

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India Day Flag Raising on Aug 14th

India’s 69th Independence Day

FLAG RAISING CEREMONY

 When: Friday, August 14th 2015, 11:30 am – 1:00 pm

  • Socialize and meet dignitaries 11:30 am – 12:00 noon
  • Flag Raising Ceremony 12:00 noon – 12:30 pm
  • Light Lunch and socialize 12:30 pm – 1:00 pm

Where: Allentown City Hall, 435 Hamilton St, Allentown, PA 18101 Tel: (610) 439-5999

All Are Cordially Invited To Join In the Celebration

To pay tribute to the most populous democracy of the modern world!

 

Come join us to salute the Flag of India. For more information, please contact:

IAALV Asst Program Director, Shikha Sood: shikha_sood@hotmail.com

Folks, since 1989, The Mayor of City of Allentown has been by us on this day giving the Lehigh Valley Indian-Americans the privilege of hoisting the Indian flag at the Allentown City Hall. Come join us in honoring our birth country in our adopted country with the Honorable Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski.                                                 – Team IAALV