India Assn of St. Louis celebrates I-Day

ST LOUIS, MO — India Association of St. Louis (IAS) celebrated India’s Independence Day with its annual mela at Mahatma Gandhi Center (MGC).

Patriotic fervor gripped the Indian community present with the unfurling of the tricolor and the cultural festivities organized to mark the occasion.

The chief guests for the event, included Congresswoman Ann Wagner, Missouri State Senator Jill Schupp, Missouri Supreme court judge George Draper III and Associate circuit court of St. Louis county judge Judy Draper.

A ‘tiranga’ car rally was organized by Chaya and Jairaj Kalahasti on the route from Vardhaman Jewelers to MGC to venerate the celebrations. The festivities started with hoisting of the American flag by Congresswoman Ann Wagner and Indian flag by IAS president Shailee Saran Varanasi.

In her welcome address, Varanasi said that the celebration is the “amalgamation of both the countries, India, our janam bhoomi (place of birth), and America, our karam bhoomi (place of work). This year also marks the celebration of 50 years of India association of St. Louis.”

As part of IAS tradition of recognizing and encouraging youngsters in the community, Armaan Chandak, winner of the 2017 national chess competition held in Nashville in K-5 category was presented with a commemorative plaque by Congresswoman Wagner and Varanasi.

The chief guests later inaugurated a colorful mela (fair) exhibiting local vendor stalls where prominent businesses, local families and volunteers displayed a variety of Indian food delicacies, jewelry, sarees, dresses, and arts and crafts from different parts of India. Flower decoration and art competitions in the afternoon were enthusiastically attended both by kids and adults.

In the evening a cultural program by more than 100 participants focusing on patriotic theme was coordinated by cultural secretary Meera Jain and Vijayalakshmi Buddhiraju.

The full-day festivities were attended by more than 450 people.