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India Association of Minnesota
September 2024 Newsletter
51 Years Supporting the Indian Community
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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 on the left side, you will see "View entire message".
Please click on it.
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IAM 2025 Board Member Applications Open
The Nomination Committee for India Association of Minnesota invites interested community members to apply to join the 2025 IAM Board and help advance the mission of the organization.
If you believe you can contribute, please read details at this link and submit your application to nominationcommittee@iamn.org by Wednesday, September 18th. To apply to the Board, you must be an active member of IAM in good standing. If you are not currently an IAM member, click here to learn more about membership options and join IAM.
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11th Annual IAM Golf Tournament
Join us for the IAM Golf Tournament!
Get ready to tee off at one of the most anticipated events of the year! The IAM Golf Tournament is set to be an unforgettable day of fun, competition, and community spirit.
Exciting golf competition • Prizes & giveaways
Networking • Delicious food & refreshments
Date: Sunday, September 8, 2024
Time: 1pm - 8pm CST
Location: Baker National Golf Course
2935 Parkview Dr, Hamel, MN 55340
Whether you’re a seasoned golfer or a beginner, this tournament is the perfect opportunity to enjoy the beautiful outdoors, meet new people, and support a great cause. All proceeds go towards supporting the India Association of Minnesota’s programs and initiatives.
Don’t miss out on this fantastic event!
Gather your friends, form a team, and sign up today.
Registration & Payment Here
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Non-Violence Day October 5, 2024
Save the Date!
IAM will celebrate Mahatma Gandhi's legacy of peace through non-violence to eradicate the ingrained systemic racial violence, injustice and inequality against minorities (women, Indigenous Americans, Blacks, immigrants, LGBTQ and all marginalized people). Mark your calendars.
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IndiaFest 2024
The annual IAM IndiaFest was held on Saturday, August 17, 2024 on the Minnesota State Capitol Grounds. Minnesota summer weather once again was a challenge. It rained during set up on Friday evening and again Saturday morning. In spite of the rain, the gates opened on time at 11:00 am. A little rain doesn't stop the festival from happening.
A highlight of the day is always the parade, led by the IAM team and guests with regional partners and organizations displaying their banners and marching behind. With the Capitol dome (we learned this year that it is the second largest floating dome in the world followed by the Taj Mahal in third place) in the backgroud, the Indian and United States flags were raised. Both anthems were sung to the accompaniment of a talented group of young musicians. Deputy Consul General Mr. T D Bhutia and Minnesota Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman raised the flags. And then the skies opened up again. The program moved to the cultural stage where the Deputy Consul General addressed the crowd and officials spoke.
Minnesota officials at IndiaFest were Sen. Eric Pratt, Sen. Foung Hawj, Sen. John Hoffman and Sen. Steve Cwodzinski. Also, House Speaker Melissa Hortman, Rep. Kaohly Her, Rep. Ginny Klevorn, Rep. Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger, Rep. Kristin Bahner, Rep. Liz Lee, Rep. Ned Caroll and Rep. Mary Clardy. Other guests were
Hennepin County Commissioner Kevin Anderson, Saraswati Singh, Milind Sohini, Executive Secretary of the Capitol Area Architecture Planning Board Erik Dahl, and Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Administration Tamar Gronvall.
Congresswoman Angie Craig made an appearance.
The afternoon program ended with the presentation of the Student Achievement Awards and scholarships, made possible by the Dr. Dash Foundation.
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IndiaFest showcases our Regional partners. As each group marches in the parade and at their booths, visitors learn about their distinctive and vibrant cultures. The surveys have been tallied and the winners from this year will be honored at Connect India 2025. They are:
- Best Interactive Booth - Sikh Society of MN
- Best Decorative Booth - Gujarati Samaj of MN
- Best Parade - Marathi Association of MN
Many organizations had booths at IndiaFest, offering services and information. Their contributions to the Indian community are invaluable.
IndiaFest is only possible with the support of our corporate sponsors. Watch for articles about IAM's corporate sponsors in the upcoming IAM newsletters.
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Cultural performances are another highlight of IndiaFest. From beginners to teams who have been dancing for years, the audience was treated to great entertainment. In addition to dance, music performances were enjoyed by all. Many proud parents delighted in watching their children. Another highlight was when the professional dance teams showed their expertise in the late afternoon to the appreciative crowd.
Nazia Sayeed, accompanied by Taal & Tonic, performed in the waning hours of the evening. This entertainment at IndiaFest was made possible by a generous contribution from the Dr. Dash Foundation.
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The bazaar is always popular with IAM's guests. There was a great selection of Indian clothing, jewelry and tchotchkes available. | |
The food stalls along John Ireland Blvd were busy. There were more vendors than any other year to choose from. Attendees were able to visit with old and new friends as they enjoyed their favorite meals in the picnic areas. | The laughter of children could be heard in the bouncy houses. Older kids were playing chess, carom and having their faces painted at the very busy Activities tent. | |
It takes a team to make IndiaFest happen. Led by President Meena Bharti and IndiaFest lead, Mangala Acharya, everyone did their part to make the day a success. The IAM board and TAC are pictured below. | |
IAM's past presidents always show up in support of IAM events. Many actively participate. Pictured are Sreekanth Kamajolla (2017), Stefan Peterson (1988) Niru Misra (1994), Shanti Shah (1992), Sreeni Checka (2020), Ananth Shankar (2000), Kusum Gosain (2012), Suyash Jain (2022), Meena Bharti (2024), Nash Shaikh (2019) and Kiran Bandi (2022). Also attending/not pictured were Tanwi Prigge (2023), Franklin Gummadi (1998), Raj Menon (2009) and Ramesh Muniswamy (2006). | |
The India Association of Minnesota team sincerely thanks everyone who participated as a sponsor, vendor, partner and attendee. It is our hope that you all enjoyed your time at IndiaFest as much as we enjoyed bringing it to you.
To view the 2024 IndiaFest brochure Click Here
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To read the IAM comic strip
Peacock Tells a Story Click Here
We appeciate your feed back.
Please let IAM know your thoughts on IndiaFest 2024 by taking this survey.
IndiaFest 2024 Survey
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IAM Participating in the Community | |
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Minnesota Tennis Ball Cricket (MTBC)
2024 Finals - A Resounding Success!
The MTBC 2024 Finals took place on Saturday, August 24th, at the Northview Sports ground in Eagan, drawing a crowd of nearly 500 enthusiastic attendees. The event featured an exciting lineup of matches, including:
Men's Finals: Platinum, Gold, and Silver categories
Women's Finals: Platinum, Gold, and Silver categories
Youth Finals: U11 and U15 categories
Special All-Star Game featuring IAM Stars
The All-Star game was in celebration of the remarkable partnership between India Association of Minnesota and MTBC
Congratulations to all the participants and winners!
IAM members supporting the event were IAM President Meena Bharti, Vice-president Srividya Vaidyanathan, Board members Shruti Joshi, Sanjay Terakanambi, Anurag Saurabh, Analabha Dutta, Honory Board member Ram Gada and TAC member Tanwi Prigge.
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Indian Independence Day Celebration at Plymouth Covenant Church
On August 18th, Plymouth Covenant Church in Plymouth, MN hosted their annual Indian Independence Day celebration. A celebration bringing together neighbors and friends, it was an evening of learning and cultural pride. The program included trivia about India, brief history of India's Independence, a host of cultural dance and vocal performances and Indian food vendors. IAM Board Member, Shruti Joshi, represented IAM at the event at the gracious invitation of Paster Sanjeev Bhonsle. IAM is a non-religious, non-partisan, non-profit umbrella organization proudly representing and inclusive of all people of the Asian Indian diaspora.
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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 QR code.
Welcome to new IAM members
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Upcoming IAM Calendar of Events
Event/Date/Venue
- IAM Picnic - September
- IAM Golf Tournament - September 8th
- NonViolence Day - Oct 5th
- Pink Garba Women's Health event - October TBD
- Dhanyawaad - December TBD
Watch for coming events in future newsletters, on Facebook and the IAM website www.iamn.org.
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Government Relations & Civic Engagement | |
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Indian American Candidates
India Association of Minnesota is non-political.
IAM will inform but does not endorse any candidates.
PG Narayanan running for re-election to the Eden Prairie City Council. PG has served the residents of the community over the past six years. He says it has been both an honor and a privilege.
Visit www.PGforEP.com
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Maj Dr Shine Mahi MD running for City Council Ward 1 Plymouth.
She has lived here for 18 years. She has witnessed the city grow and change. Mahi is a first time candidate. Visit letplymouthhshine.com
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Congratulations to Kamala Harris & Tim Walz.
India Association of Minnesota is proud that a woman of Indian descent has achieved the honor of running for President of the United States of America. IAM congratulates Governor Tim Walz, who has supported the Minnesota Indian community and has attended IndiaFest, being selected to run for Vice President.
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Celebrate Citizenship Day!
Every year on September 17, we honor Citizenship Day, also known as Constitution Day.
This special day commemorates the signing of the U.S. Constitution in 1787 and celebrates all who have become U.S. citizens. It’s a day to reflect on the rights and responsibilities that come with citizenship and to appreciate the diversity and unity that make our nation strong.
Whether you’re a new citizen or a long-time one, take a moment to celebrate our shared values and the freedoms we enjoy.
Learn more about the Constitution and its impact on our lives today https://icalendars.net/celebrations/citizenship-day https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitution_Day_(United_States)
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FBI Youth Experience Day
My name is Asya Shah and I’m currently a sophomore at Eagan High School. Recently, I had the exciting opportunity to participate in the FBI Youth Experience Day. It was an incredible experience that provided me with a deeper understanding of the FBI's work and the various careers they offer. While there were some informative lectures, most of the day was hands-on. We were divided into groups and got to explore different departments, such as the SWAT team and Bomb Tactics squad. I met some amazing professionals and gained a lot of valuable knowledge.
Asya's participation in this program was a result of the presentation by FBI agents at the combined IAM July Board meeting/IndiaFest information meeting.
For more information https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/outreach
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Ananth Shankar, AIA Emeritus
Receives 2024 AIA Minnesota Louis Lundgren Award for Service
Each year, the Louis Lundgren Award for Service recognizes a Minnesota architect for their outstanding contributions in the areas of community and professional service. Through their work as citizen architects, recipients of the award are regarded by the peers for their prolonged and effective volunteerism.
Ananth Shankar has been serving on the Maplewood Community Design Review Board for many years, and is also on its Climate Mitigation Committee, helping shape the growth of the city. He is an active volunteer with AIA Minnesota, its committees, and its chapters, as well as the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) and works with many community groups as a design adviser and an advocate for STEM programs in schools. The pictures below are a sample of Ananth's volunteerism.
India Association of Minnesota congratulates 2000 IAM Past President Ananth Shankar on receiving this prestigious award.
To read article https://www.aia-mn.org/lundgren-24/
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Ananya Dance Theatre
ANTARANGA: Between You and Me
This performance is set in a world in deep crisis (much like our own) where most people have lost their ability to sense the energy of other human beings and can no longer recognize or connect with each other. A few humsafar (Urdu for “fellow travelers”) remain, blessed with super-connecting and heart-opening powers. As they undertake perilous journeys, they forge connectivities that may yet heal the world. ANTARANGA is the first work in a duology, and explores themes of intimacy, connection, trust, and community among BIPOC women/femmes.
Dates: Friday, Sept 27, Saturday, Sept 28, 2024
Time: 7:30 pm
The approximate run time is 80 minutes with no intermission.
Venue: The O’Shaughnessy at Saint Catherine University
2004 Randolph Ave, St Paul, MN 55105
Tickets: bit.ly/3zE4ozh
Individual tickets are Pay-What-You-Can, $5-$55, suggested price $35.
Learn more about ANTARANGA: Between You and Me: www.ananyadancetheatre.org
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AshaUSA
NAMI Walks - Saturdy, September 28, 2024
Where: Minnehaha Regional Park
4801 S. Minnehaha Dr., Minneapolis, MN 55417
Time: 11:00 am - Registration/Check-In & Resource Fair Begin:
Kids’ Tent, Tree of Hope, Food Trucks
12:30 pm - Opening Ceremony Begins
1:00 pm - Ribbon Cutting & Walk Begins
3:00 pm - Festivities come to a close for another year!
Join the walk as a part of Team AshaUSA
https://www.namiwalks.org/participant/AshaUSA-Sayali-Amarapurkar
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Gujarati Samaj of Minnesota (GSMN)
The Biggest and Original Navaratri Dandiya - Garba Nights in the Twin Cities
New This Year:
Introducing a Garba Workshop for all dance enthusiasts to learn Garba!
Event Schedule
Bloomington Location:
Date: October 11 & 12, 2024
Time: 7:00 - 11:30 pm
Where: 150 E 98th St, Bloomington, MN 55420
Woodbury Location:
Date: October 18 & 19, 2024
Time: 7:00 - 11:30 pm
Where: Health East Sports Center, 4125 Radio Dr, Woodbury, MN 55129
For more details, visit our GSMN Navaratri 2024 website.
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Indian Music Society of Minnesota (IMSOM)
IMSOM presents an evening with musicians Sankaran and Gopalakishnan.
Date: Sunday, September 8, 2024
Time: 5:00 pm
Where: Recital Hall, St. Catherine University
2004 Randolph Ave, St. Paul, MN 55105
Tickets: Click Here
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Date: Friday, September 20, 2024
Time: 7:30 pm
Where: Lorenz Auditorium, Normandale Community College
9700 France Ave S, Bloomington, MN 55431
Tickets: Click Here
https://www.imsom.org/
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Kerela Hindus of Minnesota (KHMN)
KHMN in association with HSMN invites you for a sumptuous banana leaf lunch.
Date: Saturday, September 21, 2024
Time: 11:30 - 2:00 pm
Where: Hindu Temple of Minnesota
10530 Temple drive, Maple Grove MN 55311
To purchase tickets Click Here
khmninfo@gmail.com
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Mythoscape - Minnesota 2024
This unique event will offer an exclusive glimpse into Choudhury’s intricate artwork and creative process as well as seminar Titled “MYTHOSCAPE MN 2024” featuring “India Mythology” through Art. There will be art exhibits as well as lot to learn!
Date: Sunday, September 15th
Time: 1:00 - 5:00 PM
Location: Plymouth Community Center
14800 34th Ave. No, Plymouth, MN 55447
The event will feature a diverse collection of art displayed in creatively curated trunk setups, offering a dynamic and interactive experience. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore a variety of artistic expressions, meet the artists behind the works, and enjoy an afternoon of cultural enrichment and community networking.
The event is free of charge and open to the public, making it a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the artwork and support the artist.
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Ragamala
Registration is now open for the 2024 - 2025 year. Led by highly-skilled company members, Ragamala Training Center classes are enriching, fun, and foster cultural awareness. Ragamala Training Center offers classes for beginners ages 7 through adult, as well as experienced dancers.
To register for classes https://www.ragamaladance.org/training-center
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Children of Dharma
Date: Saturday, November 2
Venue: Northrop Auditorium
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
For more information & tickets Click Here
Ragamala Dance Company
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School of India for Language & Culture (SILC)
The School of India for Languages and Culture, established in 1979, aims to promote community for those whose family or culture includes India and a deeper understanding of its rich diversity through classes on history, culture, languages, natural resources, festivals, games, food, art, dance, music and more! SILC strives to develop well-informed individuals in a secular setting.
To enroll your students in SILC classes, click on the QRcode or silcmn.com
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Swaravedika
Kids can make their own Clay Ganesha. Workshop on Monday, September 2, pick up on Thursday, September 5, 2024. Details above.
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Telegu School
Eden Prairie for a Telugu school called Manabadi is a 501C non profit organiation teaching Telugu to kids.
The students of Shakopee and Eden prairie high schools will get foreign language credits.
The Students of MN can take the bilingual seal of literacy test for Telugu from this year
https://manabadi.siliconandhra.org/
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International Families,Inc
Asha
The death of a loved one has been recognized as the greatest life stressor that we face as humans, heading the list of stressful life events compiled by Holmes and Rahe
You are invited to join others who are grieving the death of a loved one.
International Families, Inc. in coordination with Mercy Road Church at the Crossroads in Lakeville, Minnesota, will host GriefShare, a class giving encouragement and strategies to people who have experienced the death of a loved one.
What to expect:
A safe place where you can find help healing from grief.
A safe environment where you can share, at your desire, your story of loss and grief. And hear from others who are experiencing grief from the death of a loved one.
At GriefShare, you will receive valuable resources to help you recover from your loss, help you identify progress, and help you look forward to rebuilding your life.
This 13-week video series with grief recovery experts and others is followed by a discussion. There is a workbook you will be given. Each session is independent and self-contained. This means that you can start at any session. GriefShare recommends that once you start, you come for at least 3 sessions.
When does it start: Thursday, September 26, 2024, 6:30pm to 8:00pm
Where is it: Mercy Road Church at the Crossroads, 17671 Glacier Way. Lakeville, MN
(come in the front door on the east side of the building, look for a sign directing you to the meeing room)
Registration: Register at GriefShare.org or contact Tom directly. On the GriefShare website, look for the Mercy Road Church at the Crossroads, location in Lakeville, MN.
Please call or email Tom Gilbertson (group leader) if you have more questions or need help registering. Registration is required.
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Labor Day
Monday, September 2, 2024
Labor Day is celebrated on the first Monday of September to honor those in the American labor movement.This federal holiday originated in the late 19th century as a result of labor activists who urged for a day to recognize the contributions of those in the workforce and all laborers. Furthermore, this day signifies economic and social achievements made by individuals in the workforce. IAM wishes everyone a happy and joyful labor day, celebrating with family and friends!
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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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Submissions for the IAM Facebook page or future newsletters, please email us at marketing@iamn.org
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