Tri-state Federation of Indian Associations goes to Washington

May 16, 2022

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Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi at US Capitol May 12, 2022, holding up a copy of FIA Independence Day celebration getting mentioned in the Congressional Record. Photo:-Jay Mandal, courtesy FIA

The Federation of Indian Associations commemorated the 75 years of Indian Independence and honored the Asian Heritage Month on May 12, 2022 at Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C.

The FIA was recognized for the event in Congressional Record Vol.168, No. 81, a press release said, describing the moment as one where ‘FIA Creates History’.

Members attending the event came from the states of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and the states from the region of New England, FIA said.

Several U.S. lawmakers and FIA executives at the FIA event on Capitol Hill May 12, 2022. Photo:-Jay Mandal courtesy FIA

The theme for the attempt at the Guinness Book of World Records for Largest Number of flags flown and the highest number of Flags Flown and the Largest Drum Ensemble was also unveiled at the My 12, 2022 FIA event on Capitol Hill. Photo:-Jay Mandal courtesy FIA

Lawmakers present at the event included Congressmen Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Illinois; Frank Pallone, D-New Jersey; Tom Malinowski, D- New Jersey; Vicente González, D- Texas; Hakeem Jeffries, D-New York; Adriano Espaillat, D-New York; Matthew Cartwright, D- Pennsylvania; David Cicilline, D-Rhode Island; Jim McGovern, D-Massachusetts; and Congresswomen Mikie Sherrill, D-New Jersey; Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas; Abigail Spanberger, D-Virginia; Susie Lee, D-Nevada; Grace Meng, D-New York; and Deborah K. Ross, D-North Carolina.

Among the FIA executives at the event were the President Kenny Desai, Chairman Ankur Vaidya, President New England Abhishek Singh, Past President and Member of Board of Trustees Srujal Parikh, Ex-Vice President and Event Chair Himanshu Bhatia, Vice President Saurin Parikh, Vice Presidents North East Shova Sharma & Sanjay Gokhale, Secretary Praveen Bansal, Jt Secretary Smita Patel, Treasurer Amit Ringasiya, Jt. Secretary Mahesh Dubal and Past President and Chairman of Bihar Foundation Alok Kumar.

Some lawmakers and FIA organizers as well as attendees at the May 12, 2022 event on Capitol Hill. Photo:-Jay Mandal courtesy FIA

Also in attendance were Federation of Indo-American Senior Associations of North America (FISANA) president Deepak Shah, Bihar Jharkhand Association of North America (BJANA) President Anurag Kumar, Parsippany Seniors Association President Bharat Rana, and Asian American Republican Coalition Chair Hemant Bhatt.

The theme for the Celebrations for the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav- celebrating 75 years of Indian Independence was unveiled by Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi. The theme for the attempt at the Guinness Book of World Records for Largest Number of flags flown and the highest number of Flags Flown and the Largest Drum Ensemble was also unveiled by the lawmakers at the event.

Krishnamoorthi in his speech, emphasized the need for Indian Americans to stand for elections and other elected offices. The FIA did a great job in bringing people from various states to the event and he was delighted to be a part of it, Krishnamoorthi is quoted saying in the press release.

Scores of FIA members arrived in Washington, D.C. for the May 12 event on India’s 75th Independence Anniversary and to celebrate Asian American Heritage Month. Photo:-Jay Mandal courtesy FIA

Desai, FIA’s president, called it a historical moment for Indian- Americans to celebrate the 75th anniversary of India’s Independence Day at the U.S. Capitol. “Today we pay tribute to generations of Asians who have contributed to our homeland The United States of America and we continue their good work,” he said recognizing May as Asian American Heritage Month.

Vaidya, chairman of FIA, said the event was a precursor to the major events being planned in New York city around India’s Independence Day and also noted the India Day Parade. the largest outside India, which continues to instill pride and honor in the hearts of the millions of the Indian diaspora

FIA New England President Abhishek Singh said that India over the years, having taken the path of Democracy and unifying its cultural diversity has come to this significant moment where its 75 years of Independence are being celebrated globally.

Bhatia said it was a historical moment where the event has been logged in the Congressional Record. He expressed the hope for stronger U.S.-India ties, and thanked everyone who made the event possible.

FIA’s past president and Board of Trustee Srujal Parikh said that it was a great celebration of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav in the presence of US Congressmen and it was a great honor that FIA’s community services has been recognized in the Congressional Record.

FIA past president and Chairman of Bihar Foundation Alok Kumar said that the event was inspired by the call given by the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to celebrate the momentous occasion across the world

The event also had cultural performances from India and Nepal. Well-known Indian choreographer Kush Banker displayed his dance steps, and Himani from Happiness Hub, a life-coach and motivational speaker, addressed the audience