HOFFMAN STATES, IL (TIP): The Indian-American community organization Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) of Chicago, celebrated Indian Heritage Night for the 6th consecutive year, at the NOW Arena where the Windy City Bulls – the official NBA G League affiliates of the Chicago Bulls, took on the Raptors 905, a Canadian Basketball Team.
Chairman & Founder President FIA Sunil Shah, along with the FIA President Vinita Gulabani, and Founder & Past President Onkar Singh Sangha, presided over the Indian Heritage Night celebrations. The event began with the beautiful rendition of Jana Gana Mana, the Indian National anthem, by Saanika Sahu, Nishika Dubey, Samaira Sameer Bongale and Rishi Kanchi, while Chairman Shah, President Gulabani, Founding Member Neil Khot, Past President Hitesh Gandhi, Vice President Richa Chand & Vice President Altaf Bukhari stood in attention to pay regards to motherland India. This was a great honor since India is celebrating Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsava as 75 years of Independence. The American and Canadian National anthems were sung immediately followed by the Indian National anthem.
Chairman Shah & President Gulabani along with Team FIA was also presented a Certificate of Appreciation for celebrating 6 years of Indian Heritage Night. “This was a real honor for the Federation of Indian Associations,” Sunil Shah said. Vinita Gulabani praised the cultural program participants, and all the friends and family that came to support the Indian Heritage Night. She said, “Seeing the beautiful showcase of our dance and music at the prestigious NOW Arena makes me and every Indian immensely proud of our rich Indian Heritage and I hope the future generations will continue the tradition!”
Besides a very exciting game between the competing teams, and the Windy City Bulls finally winning in the end, the highlight of the evening was the exquisite dance performances arranged under the auspices of the FIA Vice President Richa Chand, showcasing the Indian Dance forms, during the quarter breaks and the half time that enthralled the audience.
There was a beautiful dance performance, presented by Team IACA Dancing Divas on a Bollywood song medley called, “Sauda Khara Khara”, which means, it’s a good deal to have a good time, a good life, a good life partner. Participants were: Ria Raj, Nysa Ranjan, Ridhima Bembey, Simran Kaur, Sriya Konchada.
The spectacular & scintillating Halftime Show special performance, by “Nritya Vijeta” from CDV( Chicago Dance Varsity) Studio made all the audience go crazy with their sensational Bollywood Dance fusion mix with a bit of “Garbha” style.. Participants were: Urvi Chitrapu, Lasses Gadiraju, Saanvi Gubba, Pragati, Samiksha Joshi, Puja Shah, Pavithra Shankar, Malvika Sinha, Rupal Sinha, Dolly. Another Dance performance by CDV, the “Flying Colors” during the second quarter break, presented by the little darlings dressed in the red sequin outfits stole everyone’s hearts with their energetic freestyle performance on Bollywood’s Ole O Mukkala Muqabala Dance number. Participants were: Agalya Saminathan, Mahi Jain, Suriya Soni, Ridhima Singh, Gracy Singh, Ahana Charanpahari, Aadhya, Riva Rithesh.
When asked about her experience, Dr Puja Joshi, owner and lead choreographer at CDV (Chicago Dance Varsity) Studio, expressed delight and said,” It was pure joy to watch her students perform for the second year in a row at FIA’s Indian Heritage Night with Windy City Bulls at NOW Arena!” She thanked FIA for creating this unique opportunity for her students to showcase their dance skills to the Windy City Bulls audience.
A Certificate of Appreciation was presented to all the performers by Chairman Shah & President Gulabani. The Event Coordination activities for Indian Heritage Night were led by Vice President Richa Chand, along with Gen Secretary Abir Maru. Treasurer Vaishal Talati and Directors Nilabh Dubey, Neela Patel & Hemendra Shah also assisted. Other FIA members who supported the event were, Advisory Board Member & IABC President – Ajeet Singh, INDIACO Owner – Chintan Patel, Aarush CEO -Manoj Rathod and Owner India Foodie Lounge -Yagnesh Patel. FIA also thanks Nathan Rodriguez, the Windy City Bulls Event coordinator for all his assistance and help during the event.
Also enjoyable was a fun zone with Windy City Bulls obstacle course and basketball hoops, one of the main attractions in the arena. Live mascots of Gus T. Bulls entertained the cheering crowds. The “Catch the t-shirt” act further energized attendees. Last but not the least; FIA greatly appreciates all its Team members, sponsors, supporters and Media Partners for their continued support. Special thanks to FIA Director, Yagnesh Patel, Owner India Foodie Lounge, Bartlett, IL for hosting Dinner and Holi Prep meeting after the Indian Heritage Night’s successful conclusion and Team FIA is very thankful to them for their warm hospitality.
FIA Chicago is a 501 (c)(3) status, non-profit umbrella organization of other Indian Associations in the Chicago land and Midwest representing in excess of 300,000 culturally diverse but united Asian-Indians. FIA has been actively engaged in serving the Indian American community for the past 10 years and has been instrumental in promoting Indian culture.
(Photographs/ Asian Media USA & Press release / Abir Maru and Richa Chand)