Federation of Indian Associations Chicago celebrates India’s 75th with concert

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The Federation of Indian Associations, Chicago (FIA) celebrated the 75th anniversary of India’s independence, Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, with performances and a concert featuring prominent Bollywood singer Javed Ali with his team August 7, 2022 at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel.

The FIA led by Founder Chairman Sunil Shah, President Hitesh Gandhi, Past President Neil Khot, Founder and Past President Onkar Singh Sanga and the entire board of directors designed an India-centric program to celebrate the historic year of India’s freedom from British rule.

A prayer performed in Bharat Natyam style dance by Board member Bharatnatyam exponent and choreographer Pika Munshi kick-started the program. Indian and American national anthems were sung, and a lamp-lighting ceremony was conducted, according to a press release from Asian Media USA.

Speakers at the event included Shah, Gandhi, Khot, and Sanga. The program highlighted the importance of the day and aimed to educate children about leaders of the independence movement with a dress-up segment for kids who marched on the stage providing a glimpse of their favorite leaders of the independence movement.

The dances were set to patriotic songs presented by SR Dance Academy. Jitendra Bulsara and Minoo Vasudevan regaled the audience with their singing. The finale was a Beauty Pageant with mothers and kids showcasing different dressing styles from India.

In the Evening the FIA hosted the Javed Ali concert attended by an estimated 1,000 people, the press release said.  It included the Who’s Who of the Indian community including India’s Consul General in Chicago Amit Kumar and his spouse Surabhi Kumar, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., State Representative Michelle Mussman, Cristina Castro Senator- 22nd District, Rodney Craig Village President Hanover Park, William Duncan McLeod – Mayor off Hoffman Estates, Gopal Lalmalani – President Oakbrook Village, Tom Dailly – Village President Schaumburg, Dr. Suresh Reddy – Trustee Oakbrook Village.

The Emcees at the event were Richa Chand and Suchitra Kukreja.

The FIA felicitated special guests and sponsores – Anil Loomba : Guest of Honor, Grand sponsor : Rita Sunil Shah, Dr. Santosh Kumar, Deepakant Vyas, Dr. Asha and Anil Oroskar, Dr Sreenivas Reddy, and Pinky Thakkar.

The FIA also felicitated numerous other sponsors.

When Javed Ali and his team took to the stage, attendees were entertained with three hours of a superb performance, organizers said. “He kept the audience on their feet wanting to hear more of him. Singing along with him, dancing to his songs,” the press release noted.