Consul General, Elected Officials and Dignitaries join Indian Americans to celebrate the ideals of India’s Constitution.
By TCN News,
Washington DC: The Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC), an advocacy group dedicated to safeguarding India’s pluralist and tolerant ethos, has congratulated Indians living across the world, on the occasion of India’s 65th Republic Day. IAMC chapters in Detroit, Chicago, Boston, Minneapolis, New Jersey and San Diego have organized festivities this week and the next, with elected officials and prominent members of the diaspora in attendance.
Consul General Dr. Ausaf Sayeed was the keynote speaker at the Chicago event on January 26, while Mayor Hameeduddin (Teaneck, NJ) and Mayor Frank Gambatese (South Brunswick, NJ) will be the keynote speakers at the New Jersey event. Prominent guests at IAMC celebrations this year included Mayor Barry Brickner of Farmington Hills, MI and Mayor William H. Droste of Rosemount, MN.
Consul General of India Dr Ausaf Sayeed speaking at the IAMC event in Chicago
Consul General of India Dr Ausaf Sayeed speaking at the IAMC event in Chicago.
US Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-MN) were represented by their respective community staffers, while Mr. Adeel Lari and Mr. Mukhtar Thakur, of the Council of Asian Pacific Minnesotans (CAPM) attended the event in Minneapolis, MN.
Rev. Dr. Itty Matthews (Pastor, Church of South India, Michigan), Mr. Raman Singh (Gurdwara Sahib, Plymouth, MI), Mr. Harvinder Singh (Michigan Indian American Cultural Association), Dr. Kalyani Menon (Asst Professor, Religious Studies, DePaul University) and local elected officials were among the dignitaries in Farmington Hills, MI. The San Diego, CA event will feature Dr. Rafiq Dossani (Senior Economist, RAND Corporation).
US Senator Amy Klobuchar’s community representative, Mr. Siad Ali, at the Republic Day event in Minnesota
US Senator Amy Klobuchar’s community representative, Mr. Siad Ali, at the Republic Day event in Minnesota
“IAMC’s Republic Day celebrations are an expression of profound appreciation for the ideals of justice, pluralism and democracy – the shared values of India and the United States,” said Mr. Ahsan Khan, President of IAMC. “At a time when India’s secular ethos is increasingly under threat from radical and sectarian forces, the celebrations give the diaspora community an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to upholding the ideals enshrined in the Indian Constitution, ” added Mr. Khan.
Congresswoman Betty McCollum, in a congratulatory message read by her community representative Chao Lee, said: “…Minnesota is proud to be home to more than 38,000 Americans of South Asian descent. Our state and our community has been greatly enriched by the many contributions of Indian Americans. As your Member of Congress, I will continue to work for you to further advance human rights at home and abroad and to improve the quality of life for all Minnesotans.”
“I love both,” this young attendee appears to be saying.
“I love both,” this young attendee appears to be saying
IAMC’s Republic Day celebrations have become an integral part of the diaspora community life in the US, with Indian Americans of various religious and ideological persuasions coming together to celebrate the birth of the Indian Republic. In some cities the Republic Day celebrations have included Quiz Contests and Fancy Dress Competitions.
Indian American Muslim Council is the largest advocacy organization of Indian Muslims in the United States with 15 chapters across the nation.