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India Association of Minnesota
July 2026 Newsletter
53 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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Immigration Meeting
hosted by India Association of Minnesota
You are invited to participate in this informative meeting regarding changes in Immigration policy. Send your questions to dl.governmentrelations@iamn.org by Monday, July 13th.
Join the meeting on Thursday, July 16th by scanning the QR code in the above flyer or clicking on this link. The passcode to join the meeting is: 426143
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IndiaFest 2026
By India Association of Minneota
“Experience India in a Day“ at IAM’s signature annual event, IndiaFest.
The event marks the celebration of Indian Independence Day, that falls on August 15th. The State of Minnesota recognizes this day as India Day. This event is an outdoor, free event, which is open for all. This year, IndiaFest is of special importance to the Asian Indian community as it will be celebrated on August 15th. The 2026 IndiaFest theme is The 2026 IndiaFest theme is Weaves and Traditional Fabrics of India.
Click on these links to register. Registrations will close at end of day on July 10, 2026.
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IAM Scholarship Applications are now open until July 15, 2026.
Applicant Requirements
- Applicant must be a legal US resident
- Applicant need not be of Asian Indian origin, but should have been involved with activities/causes related to Asian Indian community
- Applicant must have graduated from a Minnesota High School in the year 2026.
- Applicant must be a first-time degree seeking freshman in the Fall of 2026 at a four-year degree program in the United States.
- Applicant must have completed and submitted all applicable paperwork by the application deadline
Apply Here or click on the CR Code
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IndiaFest cannot happen without all the wonderful volunteers who participate each year.
Please join us as a volunteer by scanning the QR code above clicking on this link.
https://staging.iamn.org/volunteer-campaign/indiafest-2026/
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2026 Consular Camp
By India Association of Minnesota
As a service to the Minnesota Indian Community, IAM again hosted a Consular Camp on June 27, 2026. Although not held every year, IAM (formerly India Club) has sponsored Visa Camps, providing consular services, as early as the 1980s at the Landmark Center during India Day celebrations. It has allowed community members to apply for needed documents locally rather than making a trip to the Indian Consulate in Chicago.
The doors opened promptly at 11 am and the lobby quickly filled with those applying for Passports, OCI cards, marriage and birth certificates and all the other documents necessary to travel and handle personal matters in India. IAM President Mangala Acharya and General Secretary Analabha Dutta greated and checked everyone in at the registration desk. While waiting, shopping was available at Shrisa's Collection and a play area was set up for the kids. Thank you to our sponsors State Farm for providing chai and Parle-G cookies and Loans by Singh LLC who had some fun items. Samosas were available in the lobby.
| Three representatives each from the Chicago Consulate and VFS were set up and ready to answer questions and complete the paperwork each person needed. After registering, attendees patiently waited in the assigned seating areas. Doors closed promptly at 3 pm and everyone inside the building at that time was able to complete their documentation. Two hundred plus people were seen by the Consulate and VFS representatives. IAM was sorry to not be able to accommodate late registrations. | |
Sridhar Nivarty and Suresh Nair provided complimentary notary services to those needing documents notarized. IAM board members were available to help those who needed help filling out forms and to take care of their printing needs.
Our wonderful volunteers directed everyone to the correct queues and kept the lines moving. Thank you to all our dedicated volunteers for spending their day at the Consular Camp.
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The 2026 IAM Board spent many hours to make the 2026 Consular Camp a success for all. Thank you to IAM President Mangala Acharya, General Secretary Analabha Dutta, 2025 President Srividya Vaidyanathan and Consular Camp Lead Madhulika Gaur for their leadership and dedication on this project.
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2026 Youth Competition
by India Association of Minnesota
The IAM India Knowledge Quiz, held at the Brookdale Library on Sunday, June 7, 2026, was a massive success! From Elementary to High School, the enthusiasm and brilliant minds on display from our community’s youth were absolutely inspiring.
This wouldn't have been possible without an incredible team effort: Shoutout to the IAM Team for creating a platform that connects our youth to their roots and fosters a love for learning. A huge thank you to our dedicated interns Aditi Kannan, Aarti Kannan and Nandana Nambiar for managing the proctoring flawlessly!
Deep gratitude to IAM Board & Officers who stepped up and helped on the day of the event to ensure its success - Nithya Mathad, Rashmi Jindani and Mangala Acharya.
And a special round of applause to our IAM Board member Madhan Kumar—your vision, meticulous planning, and leadership brought this initiative to life beautifully.
Thank you to every student, parent, and volunteer who participated and supported. The future is incredibly bright!
| | IAM Participating in the Community | | |
India Chamber of Commerce MN (ICOCMN)
Trail Blaze: Women in Business & Leadership Summit was held on June 18, 2026 at the Maple Grove Community Center. ICOCMN President Shajive Jegannathan hosted the event.
Vidya Ramraj was the moderator for a panel discussion of distinguished women from various fields, including Radha Chavli, Dr. Madhuri Rao, Officer Shafali Sood, Nirmala Rajasekar and Vishala Pamulaparthy.
Indu Eati was honored with the Community Impact Award. Virajita Singh was recognized with the Cultural Excellence Award and Kavitha Reddy recieved the Business Leadership Award. Congratulations to these three remarkable women.
In a fireside chat, Sia Her told her story. The attendees learned of her inspiring journey from a refugee camp to leading CAPM.
Representing India Association of Minnesota were President Mangala Acharya, Srikanth Kamajjola, Ram Gada and Sanjay Terakanambi.
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Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans (CAPM)
On Saturday, June 27th the 2026 Legislative Session Recap with the Council was organized by CAPM at the Minnesota Humanities Center, St Paul. 2025 IAM President Srividya Vaidyanathan represented India Association of Minnesota. Also in attendance was IAM past board member and co-chair of the Government Relations Committee, Shurti Joshi.
The event was opened by Kevin Lindsey, the CEO of MHC. The highlight of the event was some highly informative statistics presented by Susan Brower, MN State Demographer, on how the AAPI communities in Minnesota are doing and how this is changing at the aggregate and subgroup levels.
The second hour was a panel discussion with Sen Hawj and Sen. Koran on what were some of the most significant policy decisions made by the MN legislature in the 2025-26 session. IAM presented the anti-Asian Indian hate bills SF4741 (Senate) and HF4650 (House) to the senators and urged them to support the passage of the bills in the upcoming legislative session.
| | Government Relations & Community Engagement | |
2026 is an Election Year!
Primary
Vote by mail or in person
June 26 through August 10
What's on the Election Day ballot in 2026?
All voters will have these races on their general election ballot:
- U.S. Senator - U.S. Representative - Governor & Lt. Governor
- Secretary of State - State Auditor - Attorney General
- State Senator - State Representative - Judicial Seats
Voters may have one or more of these races on their ballot:
- County Officials - City Officers - School Board Members
- Township Officers - Local ballot questions
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Election Calendar
Vote by mail or in person - June 26 through August 10 for the Primary
Primary Election - August 11, 2026
Vote by mail or in person - September 18 through November 2, 2026
Election Day - November 3, 2026
For more information https://www.sos.mn.gov/election-administration-campaigns/elections-calendar/
India Association of Minnesota is non-political.
IAM will inform but does not endorse any candidates.
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Indian American Candidates
Dr. Krishnan Subrahmanian is running for the Minnesota Senate SD49. For more information https://krishforsenate.com/
India Association of Minnesota requests that Indian candidates submit a picture, office running for and link to website for publication in this newsletter. Email to info@iamn.org.
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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. To become a member https://iamn.org/memberships/
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Upcoming IAM Calendar of Events
Event/Date/Venue
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IndiaFest, August 15, 2026, Minnesota State Capitol Grounds.
- Non-Violence Day - October 2, 2026, Minnesota History Center
- Health Awareness Charity Event - October, TBD
- GBM and Member Appreciation - November, TBD
Watch for coming events in future newsletters, on Facebook and the IAM website www.iamn.org.
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Aavishkaar Annual Fundraiser
Re-imagining STEM Education for India Our core belief is that evidence-backed, rigorous, and relevant content can fundamentally transform the classroom experience for the child. Aavishkaar’s mission is to enable, equip, and empower educators and students to rekindle their creativity, curiosity and critical thinking in Math and Science. We achieve this by making learning experiential, hands on/minds-on, and immersive. Join us for an in-person gathering with Sandhya Gupta, 2007 IAM President, to learn about Aavishkaar’s work across India, hear stories from the field, and hear inspiring journeys of women in STEM from underserved communities
If you plan to attend: Please send the following information to the address below. Number of people attending and their names at $100 per person ($58 is tax-deductible).
You may also include an additional tax-deductible contribution: If you are unable to attend but would like to support, you can make a contribution in the following ways: If you plan to attend and want to donate by credit card, please send the above information in an envelope or email Karen at info@aavishkaarusa.org with the number of attendees. Make checks payable to: Aavishkaar USA or Scan the QR Code. Make checks payable to Aavishkaar USA and send it to: Aavishkaar USA, 1350 Rosemary Court, Hastings, MN 55033 By credit card: Visit https://bit.ly/DonateAavishkaarUSA26 Or scan the QR code
Sandhya Gupta was IAM President in 2007.
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The State of Minnesota is conducting a statewide survey of Minnesotans aged 60+ to
better understand their experiences and improve statewide aging services. The
Minnesota Department of Human Services, Age-Friendly Minnesota, and Minnesota
Board on Aging have partnered with Vital Research, an independent research firm, to
conduct the survey.
While there’s been strong interest in the survey overall, it’s important that the true
diversity of Minnesota is reflected in the responses.
For more information, visit Comprehensive Aging Survey / Office of Inspector General
About us / Age Friendly Minnesota
Sign up for the Age-Friendly Minnesota Newsletter
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Echoes of India
A Solo Watercolor Exhibition by Neelima Parameswaran Krishnan
The India Association of Minnesota is proud to celebrate one of our own. Neelima Parameswaran Krishnan, IAM Board Member and multidisciplinary artist, is presenting her solo watercolor exhibition Echoes of India at the Plymouth Community Center Art Gallery, on display from June 12 through July 24. The exhibition is an intimate memoir and a tender homage to the land we carry within us.
Echoes of India finds poetry in the ordinary, in everyday life and the natural world of India, rendered through the luminous language of watercolor. Each work freezes a fleeting moment: a story carried not in words, but in light and shadow, stillness and feeling, colors that bloom, dissolve, and linger.
Neelima is a multidisciplinary artist, dancer, theater artist and director, arts educator, and community leader based in Minnesota. Her work is rooted in the power of narrative, exploring light, atmosphere, and cultural identity across disciplines and art forms. In Echoes of India, these threads weave together into something singular and deeply felt.
This exhibition is coordinated through a partnership with the City of Plymouth and the Plymouth Arts Council.
Plymouth Community Center Art Gallery
14800 34th Ave N., Plymouth, MN 55447
Open Daily 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Free & Open to the Public.
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Hindu Mythology
Sanjukta Mitra Solo Exhibition
With this series, painter Sanjukta Mitra aims to evoke a sense of connection to India’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage through works that explore deities, spiritual themes, and mythological stories.
For Mitra, Hindu mythology is more than stories of gods and demons; it is a treasure trove of wisdom for navigating the complexities of modern life: “This series is more than an artistic endeavor—it is a personal meditation on how the divine can guide us to live with greater purpose, resilience, and love in our ever-changing world.”
https://www.mplsart.com/events/hindu-mythology-sanjukta-mitra
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Shakun Maheshwari invites you to her solo exhibition
Ways of Life: Rooted in Tradition.
Venue: White Bear Center for the Arts
Dates: August 1–September 17, 2026
For the past year, Shakun immersed herself in exploring traditional Indian folk and tribal art forms from different regions of India. What began as research grew into a series of new artworks, discoveries, and creative challenges.
The exhibition brings together works inspired by Warli, Gond, Madhubani, Kolam, Mandana, Kalamkari, Pichwai, Phad, and Lippan traditions, while reflecting her own artistic journey and
interpretation.
You are invited to attend the Opening Reception and Artist Talk on August 13, 2026, and experience these beautiful traditions.
http://www.shakuntaladesign.com
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Ananya Dance Theatre
PREM | Love: an Occupation
— Open Rehearsal
Monday, July 13, 7–8:30pm
Shawngrām Institute for Performance & Social Justice
Join us at Open Rehearsal for an informal showing of our current work as it comes into being! This year's work, PREM | Love: an Occupation, offers a hyperlocal focus on current events in the Twin Cities. Drawing inspiration from Marcellus Khalifa Williams' poem: "There is so much beauty and comfort in being in love and just being,” we travel a visceral and kinesthetic journey through grief and resistance, arriving at connective solidarity strengthened in softness. Come see what we're working on and let us know what you think!
RSVP for free tickets July 13th Performance or August 2nd Performance
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Indian Music Society of Minnesota (IMSOM)
IMSOM announces its Fall 2026 Season
August 22, 7:00PM
Hindustani Sitar/Surbahar Recital by Sugato Nag & Co
September 12, 7:00PM
Hindustani Santoor and Hammered Dulcimer Duet by Kunal Gunjal and Max ZT & Co
October 3, 7:00PM
Carnatic Vocal Duet by Sai Kiran and Sai Nivedita (Sai Sisters) & Co
October 24, 7:00PM
Carnatic Flute Recital by J. A. Jayanth & Co
https://www.imsom.org/
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Ragamala OPEN Studio Series Launches July 23
Ragamala is pleased to announce a new Open Studio Series to provide an inside look at our process and open up our studio to more visitors. The first of these will be on Thursday, July 23, and will be open to the first 10 people who send us an RSVP response to info@ragamaladance.org. We hope to see you soon!
Thursday, July 23, anytime between 10:00am - 12:00pm
Free (RSVP required)
Email Garvin Jellison at info@ragamaladance.org to reserve your spot
(limit 10 people per session)
https://www.ragamaladance.org/
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Congratulations Godan!
Godan Nambudiripad, IAM president 1990, was one of six winners of District 191’s 2026 John Coskran Volunteer Awards. The School Board honored them on June 11.
Since 2021 he’s been a volunteer tutor at the Burnsville-Eagan-Savage District 191 School for Adults. Working mostly with international students pursuing the high school-equivalent GED, Nambudiripad has been called a “cornerstone” of the district’s Adult Basic Education program.
Tutoring both GED students and district paraprofessionals, Nambudiripad meets with them several times a week to strengthen their math, science and literacy skills, ABE Coordinator Susan Edmonson wrote in his award nomination. He also offers virtual tutoring sessions through Google Meet, often outside of regular class hours.
To read more aout Godan in the Sun This Week Click here
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Independence Day
July 4, 2026
Fireworks! Picnics! Parades & Family Get togethers!
This is a special Independence Day as the USA celebrates 250 years since the Declaration of Independence was adoped by the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia.
IAM wishes everyone safe & happy Independence Day!
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