HindiUSA St. Louis Celebrates 5th Anniversary with a Spectacular Indian Cultural Extravaganza

HI INDIA NEWS DESK
ST LOUIS, MO- On May 7th, 2023, HindiUSA Saint Louis celebrated its 5th anniversary and hosted a patriotic Indian cultural event at the Mahatma Gandhi Center in Saint Louis, Missouri. The event was a huge success, with approximately 300 people in attendance who were captivated by the energetic performances of over 90 students. These talented students showcased their skills in various dance routines, skits, and musical performances, all centered around Hindi songs with India as the theme.

The event, which lasted for about 2.5 hours, commenced with a dance dedicated to Lord Ganesha, followed by an opening note from the school coordinators, Dr. Anshu Jain and Mr. Mayank Jain. The audience was then treated to 18 mesmerizing dance performances and skits. Towards the end of the event, the top 10 winners of the HindiUSA inter-school Hindi poetry competition were awarded trophies and certificates, adding to the excitement and sense of accomplishment.

The event emcees, Meghna Lunkad Ji and Nandini Rai Ji, did a fantastic job of keeping the audience engaged and even managed to get them dancing to an upbeat popular song, “Holiya Mei Ude re Gulal.”

The event featured a selection of popular patriotic and evergreen Bollywood songs, ranging from old classics to the latest hits. Some of the notable songs included “Aye Mere Vatan ke logo,” “Aao Bachcho tumhen dikhaye,” “Aye Vatan Mere Aabaad rahain tu,” and “Mera Joota hai japani!” In addition to the musical performances, the event showcased unique presentations such as the “Story of Hindi,” which traced the evolution of the Hindi language over thousands of years, and “Anekta mei ekta” (Unity in diversity). One particularly touching performance depicted the emotional story of Bharat Mata (Motherland India), where Mahatma Gandhi united Indians and helped them achieve freedom from British rule. A recording of this must-watch performance is available on the HindiUSA Saint Louis Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/HindiUSASTL.

The event provided an opportunity for parents and students to hear from special guests, including Betsy Cohen, the Executive Director of the Saint Mosaic Project, and Merrell Hansen and Gary Sriperumbudoor, members of the Chesterfield City Council. These esteemed guests encouraged students to maintain their connection to their Indian roots, learn the Hindi language, engage in community service, strive for the Seal of Biliteracy, and dream big.

The Mahatma Gandhi Center was filled with excitement, cheers, and applause as 19 teachers from HindiUSA Saint Louis stunned the audience with their 12-minute dance medley. The event concluded with everyone enjoying delicious food.

HindiUSA Saint Louis expresses its gratitude to its volunteer teachers and parents who contributed to the event’s success by coordinating musical performances and supporting the program’s execution.

With 130 registered students and 26 dedicated volunteers, HindiUSA Saint Louis is the largest volunteer-led non-profit Hindi language school in the entire US Midwest region. Enrollment for HindiUSA’s student program is currently open for students aged 5 and above. Interested parents can register their children by visiting the website at www.HindiUSA.Org/STL or by calling 636-575-9348 for more information.