ST. LOUIS: Bal Vihar of St. Louis (Center for Indian Culture and Education) joined hands with St. Louis Art Museum in celebrating India’s 70th Independence Day on 14th August. The program started in the presence of hundreds of guests and members with flag hoisting and children playing both American and Indian national anthem on strings.
Bal Vihar of St. Louis kids demonstrated, performed activities like group yoga and Indian cultural dances for the visitors. Surekha Bidep and her team organized number of activities for the visitors.
Indian traditional clothing station was set up for visitors to try on, Mehndi (palm decoration) station for artwork on hands, coloring station for kids etc. Indian flag was hoisted with Bal Vihar’s own student orchestra, trying simple yoga positions.
Later the event was moved over to the auditorium. Addressing guests and invitees, Dr Sudhir Brahmbhatt, President of Bal Vihar, talked of the challenges endured by India after independence and also India’s commitment for several programs like Make in India, Swaccha Bharat etc. Dr. Brahmbhatt reminded that the Indian national flag represents India’s long struggle for freedom. It signifies the status of India as an independent republic.
Dr. Hamsa Subramanian acted as Master of Ceremony for the event. Later additional performances were held which included Indian traditional dance, music, songs. More than 500 people attended the event. At the end of the event, art museum distributed Indian flag colored cookies and juice to all the attendees.
Entering into its 24th year of service, with the enrollment of 400 + students for the upcoming school year 2016-2017, and having served more than 2000 children in the Metro St. Louis Indian community, Bal Vihar continues to help the future citizens and achievers of America to discover their cultural identity, and to appreciate its application in their life and in the multicultural and multifaceted society that they live in.
Srinivan Pindiri
