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India Association of Minnesota
August 2025 Newsletter
52 Years Supporting the Indian Community
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To our Newsletter Readers: If you do not see our sponsor's logos, you have not reached the end of the newsletter. Immediately below the last article on the left side, you will see "View entire message".
Please click on it.
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We are India Association of Minnesota
A Message from the IAM Past Presidents
In 2020, just a couple months prior to the Covid 19 pandemic shut down, all the former
presidents of India Association of Minnesota were invited to a reunion. This gathering was the beginning of a significant support and advisory group for the organization. This group represented the leadership of nearly 50 years of India Association’s presidents and quickly became an important resource. The talent, skills, and experience of the historical leadership of IAM is a tremendous strength and has provided continuity and historical perspectives, contributing to projects on an advisory capacity, a “hands on” resource as needed, and as a brain trust for IAM.
It is our hope that India Association of Minnesota will remain a vibrant and strong organization well into the future. By linking all people who share our affection for Indian culture and community, we become a strong force in our society. It is important for us to continue our proud tradition of being a broad-based organization that is open to all who have an interest in Indian culture. IAM is unique because of this inclusive role and thereby connects all of us, regardless of language, region, class or creed. We represent the totality of what Indian culture represents. We carry, with pride, our multifaceted backgrounds while building our new home and lives in Minnesota.
The former presidents of India Association of Minnesota invite you to become members and hope you will attend this month’s annual celebration of our wonderful, broad, diverse community at the Minnesota Capitol on August 16th . We look forward to meeting you there!
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IndiaFest brought to you by India Association of Minnesota is a signature event held each year in August. It showcases the richness of the Indian culture though dance, music, cuisine, regional displays and a bazaar with beautiful clothing, jewelry and other Indian merchandise.
The entire upper and lower mall of the State Capitol Grounds in downtown St Paul is transformed into a mini-India, with over a hundred booths showcasing scores of non-profit organizations associated with India and work in the state of MN, vendors selling Indian handicrafts and clothing/jewelry and several food venfors/trucks serving the delectabel Indian cuisine.
The huge cultural stage on the grounds comes alive with a variety of cultural performances all day. The finale to the day long festivities is Bollywood Night from 6:00-9:00 pm. The upper mall becomes an open dance floor with either a DJ belting out popular Bollywood songs or an established Bollywood band performing on popular songs for the crowd.
IndiaFest culminates at 9pm.
IAM is grateful to the Minnesota State Capitol and the City of St Paul for their support over the last nearly two decades of IndiaFest, allowing the festival to grow over the years, bringing approximately 25,000 visitors to the event.
The IAM Team is excited to make IndiaFest 2025 the biggest ever with your support!
Watch for more information in a Special IndiaFest edition!
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Volunteer for IndiaFest
IndiaFest cannot happen without all the wonderful volunteers who participate every year.
Volunteer Signup Here or click on the QR code in the flyer.
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IndiaFest Shuttle for the community
Metro Transit would be offering complimentary rides (with a coupon code) all day to and from the State Capitol. Watch out for updates on our website.
Southwest Transit is once again offering $6 round trip fares for Eden Prairie residents to IndiaFest. For more information & tokens click here.
| | Recent Events Sponsored by IAM | | |
Consular Camp
By India Association of Minnesota
In the July IAM Newsletter, we thanked our partners but we missed Bengali Association of MN (BAM). Our sincere apologies to BAM for failing to acknowledge their volunteering the entire day at the Consular Camp. We thank you for your valuable support to IAM.
Events like the Consular Camp can't happen without volunteers. We are thankful for the volunteers from our partners: TCTA, SEWA-AIFW, SILC, TEAM, MATA & BAM.
| | IAM Participating the Community | | |
Eden Prairie PeopleFest
The Annual Eden Prairie PeopleFest was held on Sunday, July 27, 2025. Due to the extremely hot and humid weather, the event was moved from its traditional venue at Starling Lake Park to Central Middle School. The halls were filled with community, educational and cultural booths. Musical and dance performances took place in the auditorium. Food trucks were parked outside the entrance.
Past IAM Presidents, Babu Chimata (2015), Shanti Shah (1992), Stefan Peterson (1988), Ravi Sagi (2018), Sreeni Checka (2020), as well as Ram Gada and Alice Northrup represented India Association of Minnesota. Eden Prairie Councilman and IAM President PG Narayanan (2010) was also in attendance. Indian Flag tattoos and Indian candies were a huge hit with the young attendees.
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Indian Cultural Association of Minnesota (ICAM)
On Saturday, July 19, 2025, IAM partner ICAM held their annual summer event. UTSAV 2025 - Festival of Colors was held in downtown Rochester at Peace Plaza. It was a vibrant celebration of the rich cultural heritage of the Asian Indian community.
The event included a 5K Run/Walk, dancing on the plaza and a DJ, performances, a photo booth, color splash, a food mela and a plethora of products for the festival attendees to browse.
IAM was represented by Associate Board members Manjula Raman and Muniesh Khandelwal, who thoroughly enjoyed their time with the Rochester Indian community. They stated, "The colors, music, and spirit filled the air with unity and pride. Positive energy, vibrancy, colors, food and music filled the atmosphere in downtown Rochester."
https://icamn.org/
| | Join India Association of Minnesota | | |
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.
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Upcoming IAM Calendar of Events
Event/Date/Venue
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IndiaFest - August 16th, Minnesota State Capitol Grounds
- Non-Violence Day - October 4th, TBD
- Cancer Awareness Event - November th, TBD
- Dhanyawaad - December 6th, TBD
Watch for coming events in future newsletters, on Facebook and the IAM website www.iamn.org.
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Ananya Dance Theatre
Dream Jump with us in August!
Come to the Shawngrām Institute for Performance & Social Justice August 9th (Dream Gathering) and August 23rd (GloFFUC) for solidarity, inspiration, and connection.
Dancing together is a methodology for manifesting joy and hope in the face of despair, nourishing and sustaining us for the long road towards justice and liberation!
All events pay-what-you-can.
Tickets for Dream Gathering Click Here Tickets for GloFFUC Click Here
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BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Minneapolis
Celebrating Shri Krishna Janmashtami
Date: Saturday, August 16, 2025
Time: 4:15 PM followed by dinner
Address: 2300, Freeway Boulevard,
Brooklyn Center, MN
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir is Celebrating Shri Krishna Janmashtami. You, your friends and family are invited.
Come be part of this joyful and sacred occasion. Let’s celebrate together with devotion, unity, and love.
Mahaprasad (dinner) will be served after the program.
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Hindu Society of Minnesota (HSMN)
HSMN invites you to the annual Cultural Heritage Day on Sunday, August 3, 2025.
www.hsmn.org
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Indian Music Society of Minnesota (IMSOM)
IMSOM’s fall season begins with a scintillating concert of Hindustani flute .
https://www.imsom.org/
IMSOM's Upcoming schedule
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The Superhit Tour is coming to town!
Get Ready Twin Cities!
If you loved our last concert, get ready to turn it up a notch — Bollywood’s ultimate hitmakers Vishal & Sheykhar are coming to Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis on Friday, September 5 for one unforgettable night!
Expect high-energy performances, chart-topping hits, and a crowd that sings every word right along with you.
When: September 5, 2025
Where: Orpheum Theatre
910 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403
Time: Doors open at 7:00pm
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CLASSES AT THE RAGAMALA TRAINING CENTER
Led by highly-skilled company members, Ragamala Training Center classes are enriching, fun, and foster cultural awareness. At the Ragamala Training Center, students receive classical training in the style of Bharatanatyam carefully created by the internationally renowned Padma Bhushan Smt. Alarmél Valli. Co-Artistic Director Ranee Ramaswamy and Executive Artistic Director Aparna Ramaswamy are dedicated to preserving and carrying on their guru’s tradition and passing it on to the next generation of dancers. Ragamala Training Center’s unique program stresses artistic excellence and a professional level of training while fostering cultural awareness.
Ragamala Training Center offers classes for beginners ages 7 through adult, as well as experienced dancers.
Register for classes
For questions or more information, please email jothika@ragamaladance.org
https://www.ragamaladance.org/training-center
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SEWA-AIFW
Join a Community-Engaged Research Study on South Asian Health in Minnesota
Are you passionate about health equity, community engagement, or research? We’re looking for college student volunteers to assist with a research study exploring the health status of South Asians in Minnesota.
What You’ll Gain:
Volunteer hours for your resume or academic requirements
Hands-on experience with community-based research
Exposure to different stages of the research process
Flexible hours (4 to 6 hours/week for 3 months)
Opportunities to volunteer on weekends and evenings
No prior research experience needed—just curiosity and commitment!
Interested? Reach out to us to learn more and get involved!
Contact Sayali@Sewa-AIFW.org
www.sewa-aifw.org
| | School of India for Languages & Culture (SILC) | | |
MUSE is a program created by students, for students. Youth meet at the intersection of art and identity to develop their artistry, build community, learn about culture, and connect through their shared experience as a cohort. In MUSE, you will:
- Advance your theater skills across performance and design
- Connect with professional theaters and theatermakers
- Increase your knowledge of Asian American history, theater history, and literature.
- Gain a closer relationship with Theater Mu, the Midwest’s largest Asian American theater.
All members receive a $200 stipend, and a public transportation stipend is available upon request.
Dates: Sept 15 - Dec 15, 2025
Time: Mondays, 5-7pm, with optional monthly outings to performances and cultural events
Location: Theater Mu - 755 Prior Avenue N #107, Saint Paul, MN
Questions? Email morgen@theatermu.org.
To apply Click Here
THEATERMU.ORG
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South Asian Women’s Network (SAWN)
Join us as SAWN celebrates five incredible years of community!
SAWN’s annual flagship event, SAPHAL, returns with an inspiring exploration of what it means to walk an unconventional path while staying rooted in identity.
This year’s theme, East Meets Edge, celebrates South Asian women who are forging new futures by bridging cultural heritage with innovation, tradition with trailblazing.
Know someone who’s ready to grow, lead, and dream big —whether they’re a young professional, college student, or high schooler? Invite them to share this empowering experience with you. RSVP: Click Here
South Asian Women’s Network (SAWN) is the premier organization for professional South Asian women in the Twin Cities. Founded in 2019, SAWN's mission is to cultivate a dynamic, empowered community through both personal and professional development. Whether you are a rising star, an emerging leader or a seasoned professional in your career, we appreciate the unique voice and experience each one of us brings to this collaborative platform. Join Us!
Follow us on social media: LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram
https://www.sawnmn.org/
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NASA Assigns Astronaut Anil Menon
to First Space Station Mission
NASA astronaut Anil Menon will embark on his first mission to the International Space Station, serving as a flight engineer and Expedition 75 crew member.
Menon will launch aboard the Roscosmos Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft in June 2026, accompanied by Roscosmos cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina. After launching from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the trio will spend approximately eight months aboard the orbiting laboratory.
During his expedition, Menon will conduct scientific investigations and technology demonstrations to help prepare humans for future space missions and benefit humanity.
Selected as a NASA astronaut in 2021, Menon graduated with the 23rd astronaut class in 2024. After completing initial astronaut candidate training, he began preparing for his first space station flight assignment.
Menon was born and raised in Minneapolis and is an emergency medicine physician, mechanical engineer, and colonel in the United States Space Force. He holds a bachelor’s degree in neurobiology from Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, a master’s degree in mechanical engineering, and a medical degree from Stanford University in California. Menon completed his emergency medicine and aerospace medicine residency at Stanford and the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston.
Menon served as SpaceX’s first flight surgeon, helping to launch the first crewed Dragon spacecraft on NASA’s SpaceX Demo-2 mission and building SpaceX’s medical organization to support humans on future missions. He served as a crew flight surgeon for both SpaceX flights and NASA expeditions aboard the space station.
To read entire article Click Here
To read more about Anil Menon Click Here
Your copy should address 3 key questions: Who am I writing for (audience)? Why should they care (benefit)? What do I want them to do (call-to-action)?
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IAM Past Presidents Host Picnic
On Tuesday, July 8, 2025, a perfect Minnesota summer evening, the IAM Past Presidents gathered at Minnehaha Park Wabun Picnic area. IAM board members joined for an evening of reconnecting and great Indian food from Desi in Eagan, MN. 2007 IAM President Sandhya Gupta was visiting Minnesota for the annual fund raising event for Aavishkaar, the school she and her busband Sarit founded for girls in India. She spoke to the presidents and guests about the successes of the stem focused curriculum. She also talked about her time with IAM and the impact it had on her life.
It was an enjoyable evening for all in attendance.
To learn more about Aavishkaar https://aavishkaarcenter.org/
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Congratulations to Miguel Ramos
Miguel Ramos was honored with the Community Legacy award for his contributions in DEI as Sr. Director of Diversity & Inclusion Strategy for the Minnesota Twins Baseball Club. During his tenure with the Minnesota Twins, Miguel focused on developing more culturally diverse programming, integration and stronger relations with diverse communities, including the Indian community. Miguel was an Honorary Board member for several years with India Association of Minnesota. The Minnesota Twins Inclusion at Bat event was held on Thursday, July 24, 2025.
IAM thanks Miguel Ramos for his support over the years!
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Minnesota Governor’s Office Fall Internship Program
We’re excited to announce that applications are now open for the Governor’s Office Fall Internship Program! This is a unique opportunity for Minnesota students interested in public service. Interns in the Office of Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan will gain insight into the various paths within public service and learn valuable skills to prepare them for their future career, all while giving back to the State of Minnesota. Please consider joining the Public Engagement team to learn how our Office reaches Minnesotans and communities!
Learn more about the departments and how to apply on the Governor’s Office Careers and Internship webpage. Applications are due August 10, and the internship will begin in September.
https://mn.gov/governor/connect/careers-internships/
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Stress & Strength Study
Attention college students! Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA is conducting a study about the impact of racial discrimination among Asian and Asian American college students.
This project hopes to better understand the mental health experiences of Asian and Asian American college (specifically, East Asian, South Asian, and Southeast Asian) students living in the U.S. Specifically, the study aims to better understand how ethno-racial discrimination affects mental health among Asian and Asian American college students.
This research study is conducted entirely online and is completely anonymous.
College students can receive up to $45 as compensation for their time.
To learn more Click Here
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Arts India US is proud to announce The Lotus Fellowship
A one-year program for any U.S. based, emerging Indian classical performing artist between the ages of 16-30 -- vocal, instrumental and dance are all included. Chosen Fellows will be matched to one among a robust list of seasoned Indian classical artists for mentorship on a short creative project, while also having access to workshops on industry navigation and career building catered to their needs.
Applications will be accepted until September 15, 2025.
https://www.artsindiaus.org/
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India's Independence Day
1947 - 2025
Friday, August 15, 2025 marks the 78th anniversary of India's independence from British rule. This day is celebrated throughout India and the diaspora globally as a national holiday, commemorating the nation's freedom and sovereignty. Flag hoisting ceremonies, cultural programs and parades commemorate the event.
The 2025 theme is Honoring Freedom, Inspiring the Future
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This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
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