A Celebration of Heritage ; Group Recognizes India Republic Day

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NORMAL - Mandava Rao can remember the anticipation leading up to Republic Day when he was an elementary school student. "When we were kids, we would just wait for this day," he said. "I think it was because of all the sweets."Republic Day, Indias national holiday celebrating the anniversary of the states constitution and its sovereignty, was Thursday. But the McLean County India Association put on its annual program recognizing the holiday Saturday afternoon in a community room at Normal Public Library. "This is just a time for us to get together and talk about the significance of the day and connect with our heritage," said Rakesh Gulati, McLean County India Association president. "It gives the children a chance to sing patriotic songs and the youth an opportunity to speak about topics related to India."Gulati said one of the main objectives of the association was to make sure their children are in touch with both their Indian and American heritage. Rao agreed, "Its important that we share this with the kids and that they understand what it (Republic Day) is."Many women wore brightly colored "sarees," (dresses) in shades of fluorescent orange, lavender and teal. Jyotsna Gupta of Bloomington said the vibrant colors are a sign of celebration for the holiday."In India we have a lot of festivals and parades on Republic Day," she said. "Its a pretty big celebration. Everyone is off work and school."Gupta, who has lived in Bloomington for the past five years, said many people get honored on this day - writers, artists, singers - and also those in the military."To take part in this ceremony is a great honor," she said. "And all over the country children are selected to participate in a parade."Gupta was helping a group of women prepare some traditional Indian food near the back of the community room. The women were placing laddu - a dessert made from Ricotta cheese, sugar and cashews - on plates, as well as some other snacks. Association members also paid tribute to last years victims of Hurricane Katrina, and those in the December 2004 tsunami that struck India and several other countries. Arti Kamatar of Bloomington said when her family moved from India to Bloomington-Normal in 1972, there were only two other Indian families living in town. She said the first Republic Day celebration in the area took place in 1979."We have to do this to make the kids aware of its historical importance," she said. "Because if we dont do anything, they wont remember it."

CUTLINE: Above: McLean County India Association Members Jyotsna Gupta, far left, and Leena Kili, middle back, both of Bloomington, place vegetable pakoda on plates as Veneetha Cramption, far right, of Bloomington looks on Saturday during the India Republic Day celebration at the Normal Public Library. Below: Uma Kallakuri of Bloomington sings along to the "Star Spangled Banner" before celebrating Republic Day.

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A Celebration of Heritage ; Group Recognizes India Republic Day

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