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India Association of Minnesota
August 2023 Newsletter
1973 - 2023 India Association of Minnesota 50 Years
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To our Newsletter Readers: If you do not see our sponsor logos, you have not reached the end of the newsletter. Immediately below the last article you will see the following message. Please click on it.
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India Association of Minnesota (IAM) cordially invites you to participate in our annual signature event, “IndiaFest 2023,” celebrating 50 years of IAM. Come and join us to celebrate the rich heritage, traditions, diversity, and culture of India. This FREE event is open to all Minnesotans. Experience India in a Day! While on the Capitol grounds, gaze at the four golden horses of the quadriga on top of the Capitol building, (pictured above).
For more information, visit www.iamn.org or email us at info@iamn.org
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IndiaFest Volunteers
IAM invites young adults (16 and older) and the community to be a part of the fun by participating as a voluneer. You will receive and IndiaFest T-shirt and a food voucher.
To volunteer Registration Link
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Ride FREE on Metro Transit
Metro Transit has partnered with India Association of Minnesota for many years to provide free transportation to IndiaFest. To get your Free pass, go to the https://www.iamn.org/ starting Friday, August 11, 2023
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Live Professional Entertainment at IndiaFest
IAM is excited about the entertainment and cultural program that will be showcased on the main stage during IndiaFest. The Nazia Alam Band and comedians, John DeBoer & Senthill Rajesekharen will be performing live. Minnesota's professional dance troups, Ragamala, Katha Dance, Natyakala and Nritya Kalakshetra, will once again wow the audience with their performances. The auditions have been held and local dance groups have been selected for your enjoyment. Pooja Goswani Band and RK Vibes Live Band will round out the enterntainment. The anticipation is building! You don't want to miss any of it.
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2023 IAM Golf Tournament
IAM is excited to announce it will host its 10th Annual Golf Tournament.
Date: Saturday, August 2023
Time: 12:00 - 7:30 pm
Where: Baker National Golf Course, Medina, MN
A shotgun start will begin the fun with a two-Person Scramble on the Championship Course. A Ladies Chip and Putt will be later in the afternoon, as well as an under age 14, kids competition on the Executive Course.
Register Here
Pricing Information:
Single: $90.
Two-Person Team: $180.
Kids Event: $15
Ladies event: Free
The deadline for registration is Friday, August 18, 2023. Please register soon and do not wait until the deadline!!
If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact IAM Golf Lead, Sandeep Methi, at 612-309-8480 or sandeep.methi@iamn.org
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IAM Participating in the Community | |
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Pride Parade & Celebration
Postponed because of weather, The Maple Grove & Plymouth Pride Parade & Celebration took place on Thursday evening, July 20, 2023. Communities members from diverse backgrounds showed up in support of LGBTQ neighbors, friends and collegues. IAM President Tanwi Prigge and Sohini Sarkar represented the Minnesota Asian Indians. Speakers included Kristin Bahner. Entertainment was enjoyed by the participants.
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PeopleFest: A Community Celebration of Culture
On one of the more pleasant summer afternoons, IAM participated in the PeopleFest Party again this year! On Sunday July 30th, IAM board members Swapna Haldar Sengupta & Sayali Amarapurkar represented IAM by hosting an Indian culture booth showcasing Indian arts and artifacts and telling people about IAM's upcoming signature event India Fest!
What a fun afternoon at Peoplefest. The IAM stall was one of the most popular. Visitors were very interested in all the Indian display, carrom board, IndiaFest flyers, mehendi designs, bindis and finger rangolis as well as sari draping. The IAM team was led by Swapna Sengupta Halder with assistance from Sayali Amarapurkar. Ram Gada and Shanti Shah were there to help and support.
PeopleFest is a week-long series of free community events and programs to celebrate the unique cultures represented in Eden Praire. People from all over the Twin Cities and surrounding suburbs attend this celebration with enthusiasm and a thirst for learning about other cultures.
Exhibit booths, food trucks, a Human Library, art activities and live performances are the highlight of this summer soiree. This community-wide celebration is a joint effort by the City of Eden Prairie, Eden Prairie Schools Community Education, Eden Prairie Community Foundation, Islamic Resource Group, Academy for Young Leaders, Eden Prairie Human Rights and Diversity Commission, Eden Prairie Chinese Association, India Association of MN, Eden Prairie Library, Pakistani American Society of Minnesota, Kaleidoscope Teens and others. - Sayali Amarapurkar -
For more information visit: Click Here
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Government Relations & Civic Engagement | |
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Rep. Kristin Bahner hosted IAM at the Minnesota State Capitol on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. After visiting with Rep. Bahner in her office, the guests were given a tour of the capitol, learning the history of the building and walking in the shoes of Minnesota's representatives visiting the House Chamber. The highlight,after climbing a lot of stairs, was standing next to the four golden horses of the quadriga which represents the classical elements of earth, air, fire, and water (newsletter banner picture).
A lunch meeting/discussion on IT and cybersecurity took place in a Capitol conference room. Rep. Bahner gave an overview of the necessity for modernized systems to protect the IT infrastructure and to better serve the citizens of Minnesota. Minnesota is a leader and ahead other states addressing in the challenges. IAM interns, Anjali Nambudiri and Ananya Velpuri presented a statement and asked Rep. Bahner probing questions.
Prior to becoming a state representative, Rep. Bahner worked in IT. She is the chair of the Legislative Commission on Cybersecurity. She co-sponsored the IT Infrastructure Bill along with Rep. Jim Nash. They ask the questions; with continuous change, how can the state stay ahead of threats and provide online services that protect a citizen's personal data.
IAM President Tanwi Prigge and Government Relations Team lead Shruti Joshi arranged this educational and enlightening event. Attending were Hasmukh Patel, Puja Bajay, Mish Sen, Aahan Sheth, Adtya Suresh, Dhruv Gupta, Viplav Patturi, Ishita Gauer, Anjali Nambudiri, Ananya Velpuri and Alice Northrup. Minnesota State Capitol interns,Vincent Beltaas and Isabel Anderson joined the group.
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IAM Membership
India Association of Minnesota invites you to become a sustaining member of the organization. As the Indian population in Minnesota increases, it is more important than ever that the community be involved in the activities of IAM as it represents our common interests.
The benefits are many, including participation in the annual election of IAM officers and board members, running for a seat on the board or becoming a part of the IAM committees (Government Relations, Cultural, History and SAARI).
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For more information send an email to contact@iamn.org and an IAM board member will contact you. To become an IAM member Click Here or click on the QRcode.
Welcome to new IAM members
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South Asians Against Racial Inequality (SAARI) | |
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IAM SAARI Visit to MAAHMG
In early July, several members of IAM visited the African American Heritage Museum & Gallery and enjoyed a private tour led by Ms Coventry Cowens.
Among the exhibits, the museum displayed a collection of quilts created by members of the community during the summer of 2022. The quilts were made of numerous 12 inch by 12 inch fabric squares each created by an individual member of the local African American community. The themes of the quilts included civil rights, justice, love, healing, and black history. Also on display were a collection of photographs of African Americans who established and grew the dynamic community in Minnesota. We learned about the Great Migration, civil rights protests in the 1960’s at the University of Minnesota, the growth of the NAACP, and much more.
Given our shared history of nonviolent resistance and the quest for freedom and opportunity, we found much common experience and culture. It is part of IAM’s goal to connect with the various communities in Minnesota. We were able to enjoy and learn during a lovely morning spent together at the museum.
We urge all our community to connect with other groups in Minnesota. Visiting the African American Heritage Museum & Gallery (free admission and parking) is a good way to learn about Minnesota history and culture. Thank you to Sayali Amarapurkar for organizing this event. - Niru Misra, IAM President 1994 -
Pictured below: Godan & Srivitry Nambudiripad,, Ram Gada, Coventry Cowens, Ruby Anik, Niru Misra, Brian Renquist, Preeti Mathur, Anoop Mathur, Sreeni Checka, Sayali Amarapurkar and Alice Northrup.
For more information go to https://www.maahmg.org/
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Desi Stories
Aamera Siddiqui in pursuit for Social Jjustice
By the time Aamera was 13, she had lived in five countries on three continents. She was born in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and her experiences as a global nomad, growing up amongst multiple cultures, political crises, religions and races led her down the natural path of pursuing anti-racism and equity, and where she is today, a social Justice ‘Theater-Maker’. - Ruby Naik for AshaUSA -
To read Aamera's story Click Here
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Dr. S. K. Dash Honored by
Edina Rotary Club
On Thursday, July 13, 2023, The Edina Rotary Club inducted Dr. S. K. Dash into the Rotary International Arch Klumph Society Membership for his generosity to uplift humanity. His contribution will be in the Global Grant and will be designated for prospective projects in India.
The event was a part of a Rotary meeting and was hosted by Edina Rotary Club President, Shelly Loberg.
The guest were entertained with an Indian Dance performed by Nritya Kalakshetra, led by artistic director Sivanuja Balaji. Dr. Bruce Corrie did a presentation on the economic contributions of the Indian community and 2019 IAM President Nasreen Shaikh spoke about the growth and impact of the immigrants from the India diaspora from the 1960's forward, as well as the start of India Club/IAM. Reference was made to From Seven Rivers to 10,000 Lakes, a book on Minnesota's Indians by Preeti Mathur.
Shelly Loberg and Raj Kumar spoke, thanking Dr. Dash for his support and Arch Klumph Society pin. IAM 2023 President Tanwi Prigge addressed the guests speaking first about the support of Dr. from wife, Kalpana and then listing many of the accomplishments of Dr. Dash in innovation, business and philanthropy. Tanwi then presented him with the award.
The guests enjoyed a presentation by guest speaker, Jamie Frawley, MN Zoo Foundation
IAM congratulates Dr. Dash on receiving this prestigious award.
Read article in Indian media Click Here
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Anjuli Mishra Cameron to Lead SEWA-AIFW
Anjuli Mishra Cameron is SEWA-AIFW’s new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). In her capacity as CEO, Anjuli will provide SEWA-AIFW with strategic direction towards the organizational mission and oversight in its day-to-day operations. Anjuli has been active in SEWA-AIFW since 2007.
She brings an extensive background in community-based research in state government and at academic institutions. Anjuli’s research experience, combined with nearly two decades of community engagement experience help to address the complex issues faced by South Asians and underserved communities across Minnesota.
Prior to joining SEWA-AIFW, Anjuli served as research director for the Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans (CAPM), where she led statewide coalitions, advocated for legislative policies, and published original research on behalf of Asian Pacific Minnesotans. She serves on a number of boards and advisory bodies, including the Minnesota Board on Aging and the Metropolitan Council. Anjuli holds a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience from Carleton College and a master’s degree in biomedical sciences from the Rosalind Franklin University of Medical Science.
IAM wishes Anjuli the best as she takes on this new position.
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Raj Choudhary
Stepping Down as SEWA-AIFW CEO
“After nearly two decades of building SEWA-AIFW into a strong, impactful, and healthy organization, we have decided that it is time to empower new leadership to take SEWA-AIFW into its next chapter said outgoing CEO Raj Chaudhary.” She is stepping down as leader of SEWA-AIFW.
Born, raised and educated in India, Raj and her husband emigrated to the US in 1967. After settling in Minnesota she recognized a need for an organization committed to bringing total family wellness to the Minnesota Indian community.
In 2004, SEWA-AIFW was founded. Raj has been a visionary leader within the South Asian Indian community in Minnesota.“We had to make it easy for them to get medical care,” Chaudhary explained. “And we needed to have volunteers from the same community who understood their cultural traditions and customs to provide culturally-specific solutions.” Before the health clinics, SEWA-AIFW began by attempting to address domestic violence, which is prevalent in the culture. Under Raj’s leadership SEWA-AIFW has promoted research to determine the services needed; built bridges between the government, private foundations and communities; and created a group of trained volunteers sensitive to the ethnic and cultural needs of Minnesota’s Asian-Indian community.
Raj dedicated her time and energy to bettering the lives of the community. She was
Certified by American Society of Clinical Pathologists and earned a Mental Health First Aid Certificate Nami Minnesota as well as several training certificates in domestic violence advocacy, Human Trafficking.
Over the years, she has received recognition, including the MLK (Martin Luther King Award) Award 2012 and was Named: Best Innovative Women award by Minnesota Women’s Consortium 2008.
India Association of Minnesota thanks Raj Choudhary
for her dedication and service to the Indian community.
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2007 IAM President Sandhya Gupta
Supporting the Girls of India
Sandhya Gupta returned to the Twin Cities for the annual Aavishkaar Fundraider.
White in town, she connected with other former IAM presidents. Sandhya spoke about the institute she and her husband Sarit Sharma, both PhD Electrical Engineers, founded for Indian girls to get involved in the areas of science and math. During the luncheon, she told about the successes when an Indian girl gets an education, improving not only her life but those of their family as well. Sandhya is passionate about being a change agent for the girls and women of India.
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"We believe that education leads to economic development and social progress for individuals, their communities and ultimately our world. Through Aavishaar USA, we invite you to support the education and carreers of those in underserved communitis in India." To contirbute, click on the QRcode.
https://aavishkaar-palampur.org/about-us/
Pictured: 1992 President Shanti Shah, Preeti Mathur, Alice Northrup, 2007 President Sandhya Gupta, 2003 President Deepshikha Gupta and 1994 President Niru Misra.
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IAM Alumni Interns Giving Back
Led by 2020-2021 alumni intern, Jeevan Venkatesan, college students, who are IAM alumni interns, are sharing what they learned about the essay part of the college application process.
Seniors, about to start their applications, are invited to use this free service. The alumni will review your essay. Just click on the QRcode and start for help from your peers.
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Arul Banerjea
A 100 plus audience was privileged to listen to Arul Banerjea perform a piano recital, Sunday afternoon, July 30, 2023, at Gustavus Adolfus Lutheran Church. The crowd was mesmorized for 45 minutes as they listened to Sonata No 47 in B minor, Italian Concerto, L'Alouette, Nocturne and Schezo. It ended with a standing ovation and a very proud teacher, Dr. Paul Wirth, Artistic Director of the Wirth Center for the Performing Arts, and a beaming mother, Reena Chatterjee. A graduation party followed.
Arul started his musical journey at the age of four. He has competed in a mulititude of competitons, as well as teaching music for the past five years. He was a violinist and piano accompanist for East Ridge Symphonic Orchestra.
Arul is a 2023 graduate of East Ridge High School. He will be attending UC Berkley in the fall, majoring in Molecular and Cellular Biology. He is one of IAM's alumni interns, participating in the program 2020 - 2022.
IAM congratulates Arul on a beautiful performance.
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Upcoming IAM 2023 Calendar of Events
Event/Date/Venue
- Indiafest, Aug 12, 2023, Minnesota State Capitol Grounds
- Golf Tournament, August 26, 2023, Baker National
- NonViolence Day, Oct 1, 2023, TBD
- Pink Garba, a breast cancer awareness event, Oct 28, 2023, TBD
- Dhanyawaad, TBD
Watch for coming events in future newsletters, on Facebook and the IAM website www.iamn.org.
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Shreya Dixit Memorial Foundation
The Annual Raksha 5K event to end distracted driving is Saturday, August 5, 2023 at Purgatory Creek Park in Eden Prairie. Click on the QRcode for more information and to register.
https://shreyadixit.org/
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Healing Hearts India
Anu Codaty and Abhi Patangay, members of the Children's HeartLink Board of Directors, are hosting and event that explores how strengthening sustainable health systems and advanced medical education leads to high-quality pediatric cardiac care for children with congenital heart disease in India.
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Date: Friday, August 25, 2023
Where: Walker Arts Center
Time: Drinks & Hors d'oeuvres 5:30 - 8:00 pm
Brief Program: 6:30 pm
Attire: Casual
To learn more about Children's HeartLink and RSVP Click Here
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Indian Music Society of Minnesota (IMSOM) | |
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Sitar Recital by Nayan Ghosh
Date: Saturday, August 5, 2023
Doors: 6:30 pm // Show: 7:00 pm
Vignesh Ishwar (Carnatic Vocal)
Date: Sunday, August 27, 2023
Time: 5:00 pm
Where: The O'Shaughnessy
St. Catherine University
2004 Randolph Ave, St Paul, MN 55105
To purchase tickets Click Here
Rahul Sharma
Date: Saturday, September 9, 2023
Time: 7:00 pm
Where: Premanand Theater
Normandale Community College
9700 France Ave So, Bloomington, MN. 55431
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Minneapolis Institute of Art
New “Shiva and Parvati” painting:
A small window into the vast world of Indian art
One of Mia’s most recently acquired objects is Shiva and Parvati with Companions, painted around 1810 in northern India: brilliantly colorful, full of minute details, and only slightly larger than a piece of letter paper.
Currently on view in the museum’s rotunda (gallery 230), the painting is one of several acquired by Mia since 2020 from the collection of Ramesh Kapoor, a retired dealer renowned for having handled some of the finest paintings from the courts of the Pahari (Himalayan foothills). Created between the 17th and 19th centuries, they were intended for intimate viewing—their size was a feature—and today offer glimpses into the vast array of themes, subjects, and styles of Indian art. With these recent acquisitions, Mia has become a global destination for courtly Indian painting - Coco Banks -
To read entire article Click Here
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ReVisión: Art in the Americas
Currently on view July 1, 2023-September 17, 2023.
artsmia.org
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Seeds to Harvest
Litter League & City of Lakes Summer Games
India Association of Minnesota has partnered with Seeds To Harvest (STH) since the spring of 2020. We participated in Litter League by picking up litter at Lake Hiawatha in south Minneapolis
IAM encourages everyone to get involved in the vibrant North Minneapolis community. A couple of hours with Coach Mike Tate and the Bulldogs improving the enviornment is a great way to serve the community.
Seeds to Harvest and partners kicked off its 3rd Annual Community Summer Games on Saturday July 15, 2023 for youth across the Twin Cities. IAM invites the community to join us for the City of Lakes Games closing ceremonies & Open Streets at Shiloh Temple September 16, 2023.
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The purpose of the Summer Games is to use sports and service to the neighborhood; to support healing and joy for children and community.
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Chance Foundation
Female Vocal Tryouts for Infusion
Infusion- The Twin Cities based live musical fusion band is looking for a female vocalist for a live show (mostly Bollywood fusion music) happening in December. If anyone is interested, tryouts are on August 19, 2023. To register Click Here
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Stay Connected with IAM
IAM is on twitter too!
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Submissions for the IAM Facebook page or future newsletters, please email us at marketing@iamn.org
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