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News Notes
Cary Diwali
Photos: courtesy HumSub
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The year 2021 dawned with hopes of seeing the end of the pandemic for most of the world. The Hum Sub executive team, too, was left wondering, “will we”, “wont we?” Was a 2021 Cary Diwali going to happen? Through the months leading into the summer, it was an open question.
The team kept its options open, working on a Plan B (virtual event), while waiting with any positive signal from the Town of Cary. As soon as the long-awaited nod came, the team rolled up its sleeves and got to work. The word was out - Cary Diwali 2021 was happening, but it would be a scaled down event. Applications for performing in the cultural segment were rolled out and auditions soon got underway.
Vendor spots, albeit limited in number, were grabbed with the same alacrity as in past years. However, “The Question” remained. Who would be the evening headliner performer? Bringing in a big name from overseas was not going to be possible. Hum Sub turned its lens inward, into the community. A local production company, 4D Entertainment, stepped up to the plate to perform a Bollywood-style storyline interspersed with some old and new favorites, supported by the talented dancers of two popular Triangle-area dance schools.
Just as Team 2021 thought they had this nailed and things were on track, the weatherman came-a-calling. The prediction for Oct 9, 2021, was a chilling “90% rain”! Oh no! Questions started pouring into Hum Sub’s social media platform, “Was it on”?
“Rain or shine, the show must go on,” declared Hum Sub president and it did! It was a sight to see colorful umbrellas pop up intermittently as a crowd of 5000 plus turned up at the Koka Booth Amphitheater for yet another edition of Cary Diwali. The grounds were wet and slushy but that did not deter folks from splashing their way across the open field to reach the vendor booths and pick up bargains or a bite of that never-fails-to-satiate samosas!
And the roar that rose from the crowd as the fireworks started to mark the end of the celebrations just proved that there was just no “scale down” of the enthusiasm of the community.
Cary Diwali 2021 was presented by HumSub on Saturday, October 9, 2021. This year’s theme was “Vihaan – New Beginnings.” Vihaan is Sanskrit for “Dawn” and symbolizes the beginning of a post-pandemic world.
Cary Diwali is an annual event and it celebrates India’s rich culture and heritage. The event was held at the Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary, NC.
Learn more about Cary Diwali and other cultural events at Humsub.org.
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Kiran “Heroes for Hope” Walkathon 2021, an annual awareness event since 2014, was held at Bond Park in Cary, NC on October 10, 2021. The 5K Walkathon was attended by 122 people in-person and 25 virtually. The event was also attended by local representatives in town councils and partner agencies. The attendees walked with their family and friends, followed by photo sessions at pop up photo booths, DJ music, Henna Artist and raffle prizes sponsored by local businesses. Attendees were encouraged to bring their pets and an award was given to the best dressed pet. Two of the clients served by Kiran spoke about their journey towards empowerment at the event, which made a big impact on the attendees and received special mention.
Kiran, Inc. is a nonprofit organization serving and empowering South Asian Victims of Domestic Violence in North Carolina by providing culturally specific services and comprehensive economic, social and community resources. The Walkathon is not merely a fundraiser but an awareness campaign to bring the community together in addressing the issue of domestic violence in the South Asian community. For more details, visit Kiraninc.org.
TAGCA Tennis Tournament
TAGCA (Telugu Association of Greater Charlotte Area) conducted it’s the first Tennis Tournament on October 9 - 10, 2021 in Charlotte, NC. There was enthusiastic response from the players, especially the kids. There was active participation from girls and boys in Under 14 and Under 18 categories. The tournament was held at Hornets Nest Park. Cash prizes and trophies were awarded. More than 100 players participated in this TAGCA Tennis Tournament in various categories – Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles, Boys under 14, Girls under 14, Boys under 18 and Parent/Kid Doubles. Due to the positive response amongst players, TAGCA has decided to conduct this tournament every year to encourage physical, mental and social well-being. Winners and Runners-Up are: Men’s Doubles Winners: Navdeep Singh and Kshitiz Gupta, Runners-up: Rakesh Jena and Vishal Kumar; Women’s Doubles Winners: Vijayalakshmi Srinivasan and Anupama Gaddam, Runners-up: Jyoti and Amrit; Jr Singles Under 14 Boys Winner: Akhil Kanthamneni, Runner-up: Samarth Kasaraneni; Jr Singles Under 14 Girls Winner: Anukeerthana Atla, Runner-up: Shria Rajesh; Jr Singles Under 18 Boys Winner: Nithin Nallapati, Runner-up: Abhiram Parimi; Parent & Kid Doubles Winner: Mahesh Parimi and Abhiram Parimi, Runners-up: Akhil Kanthamneni and Madhu Kanthamneni. Learn more at Tagca.org.
Indian Ambassador to Visit Charlotte in December
The World Affairs Council of Charlotte will host the Ambassador of India to the United States, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, on Thursday, December 9, 2021 (12 - 1:30pm) for a presentation as he shares his insight on India’s role in the world. He will also address ongoing global challenges in this post-pandemic environment and the future of India’s relationship with the United States.
The diplomatic relationship between India and the United States is founded on the shared commitment to democratic values, freedom, human rights, the rule of law, and equality. Over the years, India has emerged as a leading global power and a vital partner for the U.S. in the Indo-Pacific region by helping support stability, security, and prosperity in the area. The ongoing trade relationship between India and the
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U.S. has also grown, with overall bilateral trade in goods and services reaching $149 billion in 2019.
The United States is also important to India from a cultural and educational exchange perspective. In 2020, Indian students enrolled in U.S. higher education institutions contributed over $8 billion to the U.S. economy. That number will continue to increase with the United States remaining an attractive option for post-graduate work in STEM disciplines. Additionally, the people-to-people ties in the form of the 4-million-strong Indian diaspora all around the United States contribute to the solid cultural exchange between both countries.
For more details, visit Worldaffairscharlotte.org.
Ekal’s Aggressive March Toward Mission 2025 Photos courtesy: Ekal
Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation of USA hosted a day-long virtual National Conference with 220 registrants from U.S., Canada and India on September 18, 2021. The primary objective of this conference was to review the scalability of ‘Ekal Abhiyan’ projects (an umbrella organization of Ekal’s various logistic operations) and to align the aspirations of Ekal-America and Ekal-India for future goals. With the Covid-19 pandemic affecting rural life, this conference had the arduous task of remapping success milestones for Mission 2025, which was outlined in 2020.
The Ekal-India team presented revitalized facets of Ekal Abhiyan, namely Digital Literacy, Arogya Foundation, Gramothan Foundation, E-Shiksha, and Global Communication, with a focus on the covid-19 pandemic, skill development and economic empowerment. This team introduced the topics like innovativeness and accountability in capital projects, technology roadmap, fund-raising targets, cutting-edge technology for project management, and youth involvement.
Due to the aggressive safety campaign, herbal medications, nutritional food provisions and isolationist tactics that Ekal field volunteers vigorously promoted in villages, the pandemic’s effect on rural folks was very minimal. Field volunteers countered misinformation about the vaccine by asserting its benefit and made it worry-free with videos of their own vaccinations.
In 2020 Ekal-USA, with virtual events, had raised almost $10 million, with $6.5 million coming in from the year-end gala. This year Ekal-USA will once again hold a virtual gala on Saturday, November 13, 2021.
For more details, visit Ekal.org. AASOA of NC (Asian American Store Owner association of North Carolina) hosted its inaugural Grand Garba Dandiya Night with the legendary performer from Gujarat Kirtidan Gadhvi. There were attendees from the Carolinas, Tennessee and Virginia who enjoyed the infectious sounds of garba music. Project Laadki – an effort supporting young girls, was introduced at the event. Several little girls were invited to the stage. The garba night was held at the Raleigh State Fairgrounds Exposition Center on September 25, 2021. AASOA of NC was formed to help Asian American store owners in North Carolina to negotiate with vendors. The organization also takes on the task of lobbying for supporting C-Store owners to advance their own businesses. For more details, visit Aasoaofnc.com.
Power Women
India’s Union Finance Minister, Ms. Nirmala Sitharaman and the United States Treasury Secretary Ms. Janet Yellen met at Washington D.C. for the 8th ministerial meeting of the India-USA Economic and Financial Partnership on October 14, 2021.
Photo courtesy: Embassy of India
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