FREMONT, CA: 21st Festival of India was celebrated over four days from August 15th through August 18th. The Festival was marked by
flag hoisting ceremonies, large scale festivities with packed schedule and a grand parade with floats representing different Indian cultures as well as local values. Highlights of the festival were a huge Gadar exhibition displaying Gadar heroes, exhibitions honoring Swami Vivekananda and Bollywood cinema, a popular free health fair and day-long cultural programs. Bollywood celebrity Jimmy Shergill was this year’s Grand Marshal. Sniti Mishra, Nisha Kataria and Prem Bhatia mesmerized the audience with their melodious singing.
On 18th August, FIA organized a grand banquet as part of closing ceremony of 21st Festival of India. Held at San Jose Garden Hotel, the banquet was overflowing with merriness, pleasantries and patriotism. Indian Consul General N. Parthasarathy was the Chief Guest for the event. Local dignitaries Ro Khanna, Ash Kalra, Ellen Corbett, Raj Salwan and many others graced the occasion. All the sponsors of 21st Festival of India and members of Japra inner circle were invited to be honored.
Vama Designs, a leading clothes and fashion design house conducted a crisp, professional and well organized fashion show to showcase their upcoming designer line. Sniti Mishra and Nisha Kataria sang the Indian and American national anthems respectively.
Dr Romesh Japra, Convener and Chairman of FIA thanked the dignitaries and volunteers for making the 21st Festival of India a grand success. He said that over 250 volunteers worked relentlessly for over a month to plan, organize and execute the event to perfection.
Ritu Maheshwari
India Post News Service
