CHICAGO: A grand Mela following the India Independence Day Parade on Saturday, August 15 at the Republic Bank of Chicago premises on the corner of Devon Ave & Washtenaw in Chicago will be one of the biggest attractions of the India Day Celebrations in Chicagoland.
Immediately after the completion of the Parade, a very festive Mela complete with colorful dances, music, singing and other fun-filled elements will take center stage on Devon Ave to extend the day of festivities in observance of India’s Independence Day.
Iftekhar Shareef, Trustee and Events chair reminded the community of the fake FIA operating out of Schaumburg, Illinois, who are collecting funds in the name of FIA Chicago. Two individuals who lost FIA election held in 2010 formed another FIA by manipulating the name by a word or so and trying to do an event in Schaumburg. “We have no issue if they do events with any other name except FIA Chicago.
The original FIA was formed in 1980 and it’s doing its job, and continuously organizing India Day Parade every year attracting thousands of participants from Midwest. We are demanding the group to cease from any such activities in the name of FIA-Chicago, otherwise they will be facing legal challenges”, said Shareef.
Dr Indrajit Patel, the FIA president in a talk to this paper said it would be in the best interest of the community and also in fitness of the things if any effort to divide the community is discouraged and that the Indian community stands united on addressing the issues facing the community rather than wasting time and resources in burnishing individual egos.
He strongly stressed the need for unity and pulling resources for common good. Touching upon the oft repeated demand for inviting film celebrities from India, he said it involves spending huge amount of money which can be utilized for better causes.
FIA has teamed up with Hi India, a Chicago based newspaper, for the Mela.”All is now set for showcasing an eclectic mid-afternoon show in the heart of the India Town on Devon Avenue with a host of young dancers presenting a string of exciting Bollywood dances with music and the beats. This will be a grand finale to a weekend of India Independence Day celebrations hosted by FIA-Chicago,” said Keerthi Ravoori, former FIA President.
Abdul Siddiqui
