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Patriotic fervor marks I-Day fete in Chicago

By J.V. Lakshmana Rao

Chicago: Patriotic fervor with youthful enthusiasm marked the two-day celebration of India’s 62nd Independence Day by Federation of Indian Associations in Chicago on August 15 and 16. For the first time after several years, the ceremonial hoisting of the Indian national flag took place at the Daley Plaza in Downtown Chicago on the actual Independence Day on August 15. Also for the first time the youth took active part in the celebration. It was also for the first time young women — Hetal Patel, FIA president, Smita Shah, Independence Day parade chair, Zahra Quadri, FIA secretary, and Usha Kamaria, cultural committee chair, took the leading roles in the celebration to make it a grand success.

While the flag hoisting ceremony at the Daley Plaza in Downtown at noon on August 15, marked the launching of the ceremonies, the banquet at the Meadows Club in the evening was a sold-out enjoyable three-hour extravaganza.

The concluding ceremony was the grand and colorful parade on August 16, on Devon Avenue known as Gandhi Marg that was attended by thousands of people.

As scores of people lined up in hot sun behind the barricades on either side of the Gandhi Marg, the Indian national flag was hoisted ceremoniously by Mohan Patel, a senior Gandhian, joined by Consul General of India Ashok Kumar Attri, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, who was the grand marshal, Bollywood actor Upen Patel, who was the chief guest, FIA president Hetal Patel, and other FIA officials, at the corner of Western Avenue. As the Jimmy Ellis Marching Band played the Indian national anthem — Jana Gana Mana — the people joined in lending their vocal support.

Led by the Midwest Ismaili Band, and Jimmy Ellis Marching Band, the parade participants moved slowly to the playing of inspirational tunes and raising of cheering slogans like “Bharat Mata Ki Jai,” “Long live Independence” and “Long live Indo-US friendship.” In between the bands, a huge Indian national flag was held afloat and Alderman Bernard Stone rode a red convertible automobile.

At the head of the parade were Kanti Patel, Iftekhar Shareef, Babu Patel, Hetal Patel, Niranjan Shah, Smita Shah, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, Ashok Kumar Attri, and several others. As the parade was moving slowly, Rod Blagojevich and Upen Patel were seen walking along the barricades, and shaking hands with the people lined up behind them. They Governor and the Bollywood star changed the sides frequently and readily obliged the people for being photographed. As the parade was about to move, some mischievous people showered eggs. One of the eggs fell on the trousers of the Consul General.

As the parade approached the saluting stand, Sunny Gabhawala, executive vice president of FIA, announced the names of the dignitaries and welcomed them on to the podium set up at the corner of Gandhi Marg and Washtenaw Avenue.

From the podium, Bollywood Actor Upen Patel, Consul General of India Ashok Kumar Attri, Bernard Stone, Todd Stroger, Cook County Board president, Jan Schakowsky, Smita Shah, Dorothy Brown, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White, Iftekhar Shareef, Rohit Maniar, Raghu Nayak, Babu Patel, Sher Rajput, Niranjan Shah, Amrish Mahajan, C.K. Patel and others spoke about India’s peaceful Independence struggle, sacrifices of its leaders and now growing Indo-US relations.

The Governor, who was enjoying meeting people, greeting them and getting photographed with them in front of the podium on Devon Avenue, addressed the audience from there, and was initially reluctant to make a speech from the podium. But on insistence by the FIA organizers, he obliged them, came on to the podium and gave the briefest speech.

The Governor, who issued a proclamation to celebrate August 15, 2008 as Indian Independence Day in Illinois, recognizing the celebration of its 61st anniversary of Independence, greeted the Indian Americans with a warm “Namaste” and praised them for their contribution to the progress of the state. Amid cheers, he said that he himself, who carried the family name as Blagojevich, was an immigrant descendant like many Patels, Shahs, Nayaks, Mahajans and Singhs.

About 40 colorfully decorated floats, including those of FIA, AAHOA, American Airlines, Air India, Bengali Association, ISKCON, Deccan Club, National Bankcard Corporation, Zam’s Hope, Illinois Malayali Association, Indo American Center, HSS, State Farm Insurance, IADO, Sahil, Sardar Patel Foundation and several others participated in the over two-hour parade.

Jesse While Tumbling Team presented intricate acrobatic feats to the delight of the audience.

At Daley Plaza on August 15, a sizable number of people gathered as Dorothy Brown, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, who never misses any Indian celebration, Michael Medigan, Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives, Ashok Kumar Attrit, consul general of India in Chicago, and FIA officials hoisted the Indian national flag as Dr. Ram Gajjela, event chair, welcomed the gathering. While Dorothy Brown and Michael Madigan congratulated the Indians on their celebration of the 62nd Independence Day, Iftekhar Shareef, chairman of FIA Board of Trustees, said: “This year is very special for all of us as FIA-Chicago has created history of passing the torch to our second generation Indian-Americans. As you see today, Hetal Patel is the first youngest president in the 27 years of history of FIA along with the youngest parade chairperson Smita Shah.

Paying handsome tributes to those great national leaders, who sacrificed their lives in the peaceful fight for Independence, he said that there was complete unity in diversity in India. “India is made up of 31 states, 1,618 languages, 6,400 castes, six major religions, 29 major festivals and all in one country,” he added.

Speaking about the harmony among the Indians in the US, he said that they all worked for the success of the civilian nuclear deal. “The passing of the civilian nuclear deal between the US and India will be remembered in years to come. India could now see a big change moving forward with light in every house,” he said.

A colorful cultural program presented under the guidance of Usha Kamaria ended showcasing India in the midst of lunch-hour American crowd.

Welcoming the distinguished guests, dignitaries, and members of the community at the banquet at the Meadows Club in the evening, Hetal Patel said: “FIA, with the utmost pride and enthusiasm, has been celebrating India’s Independence Day and Republic Day since the 1980s. For this reason, I am deeply honored to serve as the president of an association that has embedded the culture, heritage and diversity of India in Chicago.”

Stating that unity among diversity was evident within FIA, she said that the organization had flourished over the years with its foundation being built upon this strong belief and participation of membership representing all of India.

She said: “My presidency has been exciting as well as accorded a challenging role for me. I had the opportunity to encourage increased participation in FIA from the youths within the Indian community. This was a primary goal that I successfully accomplished so as to prepare the leaders of tomorrow. In order for the youths to gain experience, I not only encouraged them to participate in all our activities, but also, I am happy to say, they are the chairs and co-chairs of our events.”

Hetal Patel recognized and introduced all the FIA officials by calling them individual by their names on to the dais.

Hetal Patel was introduced by Sunny Gabhawala, executive vice president of FIA.

Introduced by Kruti Purohit, Iftekhar Shareef said that there was sacrifice of several leaders behind India’s freedom. He said: “We feel the freedom. It is not just the feeling that we got it. But we actually feel it. We enjoy it every moment.”

Stating that FIA had glorious days since its inception and was playing a great role in the lives of the community members, he said: “We are less than 2 percent in this country. Yet, 30 percent of doctors in this country are Indians; 25 percent of scientists in NASA are Indians, 30 percent of motels and retail businesses are owned by Indians. Our annual income is much higher than most other communities here. The second generation should know that leaders like Niranjan Shah, Dr. Bharat Barai and Dr. Raghu Nayak work hard to help the community. They all lobbied for the success of the Indo-US civilian nuclear deal. Today 70 percent of Indians live in villages. Most villages still do not have electricity. It is here the nuclear energy will be of great help.”

Iftekhar Shareef said that the FIA always stood behind the community and supported every one. “FIA is there when there is any issue related to our community whether it pertains to immigration, discrimination in any field, problems at the Indian Consulate, delays at the O’Hare airport by airlines, taking up the cause of the stranded passengers, problems with Air India or even problems with State Bank of India. We will be there if there is any problem from any agency. We work both ways. Therefore, support FIA by asking your associations to be its members. Even individually, you can be members also.”

He thanked the sponsors, the American Airlines, the Air India and all others. Earlier, Kruti Purohit introduced Iftekhar Shareef.

Upen Patel, Bollywood actor, who was the special invitee, spoke briefly stating that he was born and brought up in London, but was attracted by the filmdom in Mumbai, where he was making a career now. He thanked the FIA for inviting him.

Jill Morgenthaler, a candidate for 6th Congressional district, who spoke on the occasion sought support from the Indian community. A message of greetings was sent by Dorothy Brown.

Followed by a speech by two youngsters, a video was shown explaining the need for everyone to donate bone marrow to save the lives of people.

Awards for excellence in various fields were presented by the Mayor of Naperville, A. George Pradel, and the President Morton Grove, Richard Krier. The awardees were Mansoor Lakhani (business entrepreneurship); Shebani Kulkarni (culture); Ashok Easwaran (journalism); Vir Kumar Doshi (community service); former Chief Justice from India J.N. Bhatt (recognition); Dr. Anwar Panwar (medical services -- Rajasthan); and Syed Fazil Hussain Parvez (senior journalist - India).

An enthralling cultural program was presented by students and members of Kalapadma Dance Academy, Payaliya Dance Studio, Tarana Kathak Academy, Nartan Dance Acaemy, Dhoom Group, and Catherine Jafri and Priya Narayan. A skit - Lage Raho Munnabhai -- adopted to the US situations was hilarious. A vigorous Bhangra dance was presented by Punjabi Cultural Society.
Earlier, Keerti Kumar Ravoor introduced Mina Purohit and Kruti Purohit as the emcees, and Usha Kamaria as the chair of the cultural committee.

Kanti Patel, FIA parade coordinator, proposed a vote of thanks.