SCHAUMBURG: Federation of Indian Associations, Chicago, Il celebrated India’s 68th Independence Day with great pride and spirit highlighted by two astounding events.
Mind blowing and amazing show of Mika Singh at Copernicus theatre was a thunderous success and a memorable event with LIVE2U. This was the first time FIA, Chicago deviated from their routine banquet event to present something different and exciting to community people.
Several board members could not make it because of weddings in the family town and those present during lamp lightning ceremony were Founder President Sunil Shah with his wife Rita Shah, Vice President, Bharti Desai, General Secretary Neil Khot, Directors Amit Desai, Sheetal Daftari and Ninad Daftari.
Also present were dignitaries Deputy Consul General Gangte, Hanover Park Mayor Rodney Craig, Governor Pat Quinn’s chief policy advisor Theresa Mah and Air India Midwest Manager Rishikant Singh.
Sunil Shah welcomed the guests and thanked the sponsors and supporters for their ongoing support which had made this association stronger and vibrant. He invited the audience to the flag hoisting ceremony at Village of Schaumburg and also graciously requested them to attend the parade on Devon Ave on the same day as of friends in another FIA.
Theresa Mah read out the Governor’s Independence Day message praising Sunil Shah, President Omkar Sangha and the Board members for their leadership qualities.
She mentioned that the achievements that the organization had scored over the years could not have occurred without their commitment and leadership.
It was a matter of real pride that first time ever India’s Independence Day was celebrated with flag hoisting ceremony at village of Schaumburg with tremendous enthusiasm and patriotism.
Community people from Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates and surrounding suburbs attended the colorful ceremony and enjoyed the sweets and delicious snacks.
Bharti Desai welcomed Founder President Sunil Shah on stage at the onset and he in his brief speech welcomed the guests and dignitaries and encouraged everyone to reflect upon the beautiful and powerful sentence ” Freedom is Celebration, Independence is Challenge”. whether it is USA or India, she paid glowing tributes to the freedom fighters who underwent tremendous hardships and struggles and at the end even sacrificed their lives for their country.
Onkar Sangha appreciated the support of all the dignitaries present on the event especially of Al Larson, Mayor of Schaumburg, William Mcleod Mayor of Hoffman Estates, Tom Cullerton State Senator, Michelle Mussman Illionois State Representative and Fred Crespo Illinois State Representative. Dhitu Bhagwakar Executive Vice President, Ravi Kapoor Vice President, Neil Khot General Secretary also addressed the crowd. Jodhsingh Rawat sang a patriotic song and program was concluded with a beautiful cultural dance.
Harish Rao
