Shailee Varanasi
ST. LOUIS: St Louis Bal Vihar celebrated India’s 70th Republic Day with great enthusiasm on January 27 at Ladue Middle School in Ladue, Missouri with more than 300 participants and dignitaries from diverse backgrounds including the Chairman, Bach Society, CEO, Interfaith Organization of St. Louis, Director,(STEM program) St. Louis Science Center.
The flag hoisting ceremony was held in the presence of dignitaries followed by Bal Vihar students singing national anthems of the United States and India. This was followed by a colorful parade by the Kindergarteners dressed up in typical Indian attire representing different states and the 1st grade students dressed as eminent Indian personalities. 
The students between the ages of 6 and 15 years showcased various states of India as part of the celebration. Grades 2 to 5 were assigned different states of India that included West Bengal, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh. Each State booth focused on aspects like tourism, culture, religion, adventure, nature, health and culinary. Children with their parents’ help presented key features of their assigned state.
Booth display by grade 6 and 7 was based on themes that covered the entire country. One such theme was the “Harvest Festivals”. The students did terrific job grouping the harvest festivals by region and displaying them. Another theme “Mystic India” highlighted mysteries around some of the unique temples/places in India like “Temple of Rats”, Temple with Floating Pillars, Motorcycle Temple, etc.
Another group focused on “Adventure Tourism” highlighting some popular as well as lesser known places that connect you with nature while offering adventure for the enthusiasts. One of the groups solely focused on varied “cuisines” from all four regions of India.
The special guests interacted and enjoyed learning about the research that the students had done for the extensive illustrations. Post closed door judging by the dignitaries, the students spent time at each booth to learn about different states of India. Students and guests were excited to see traditionally decorated booths with colorful artifacts, pictures, handlooms and food samples.
The event culminated with the students honoring and thanking the special guests – Linda Lee, Chairman, Board of The Bach Society; Monica Orban, Director of Education Bach Society; Marlyn Chambers, Director of STEM program at St. Louis Science Center; Beth Rodriguez, CEO and Interfaith consultant St Louis, MO and leaders of the local Indian community Dr. Arekapuri, Dr. Reddy, Dr. Parikh, Dr. Tailor and Dr. Mehrotra. The Master of Ceremony was Bal Vihar youth (Group 5) Pranav Vasishta.
The celebration was a splendid display of India’s art, cuisine, culture, heritage and tourism. Bal Vihar through these activities aims to help its students learn and connect to their rich Indian heritage and hope to inculcate an interest towards visiting some of these places.
Center for Indian Cultural Education – Bal Vihar of St. Louis, a non-profit organization, with current enrollment of 425 + students since its inception in 1992, has been serving the Metro St. Louis Indian community.
