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Posts by Lohith Nagaraj:
IAGB Event Recap
IAGB Red Sox 2024
IAGB Red Sox Celebration 2024
IAGB India Day 2024
IAGB India Day 2024
Boston Flag Hoisting 2024
THANK YOU note-India Day 2024
Our dearest cultural program performers, our committed vendors and our wonderful Indian American community of Greater Boston,
This past Saturday, I felt that I have come full circle as IAGB as the proven trailblazer that it has always been, hosted the grand India Day 2024 at the iconic Hatch Shell, Saturday, Aug. 17 giving and taking, mingling and getting mingling in – the event was as heartening as it could get, to the spirits of working together to build a strong community”!!!
Our Grand India Day Cultural Event this year was set to that undying spirit of giving and embracing. Filled with renewed and vibrant festivities, the theme of “Naach, To the Rhythms of the World” was as unique as a theme could get!
We got to see breathtaking performances of Indian dance forms to the tune of international music/ international song/ medley of international songs. We also got to enjoy inclusivity as we shook a leg in the kids and Bollywood segments of dances!
OUR CHIEF GUEST:
Dr. Abha Agrawal’s compelling speech and formidable stand left us in awe. Her words added wings to the statement IAGB made in it’s speech later in the event. THANK YOU, from the bottom of our hearts, for gracing the occasion with your astute presence and your persuasive call to action, by owning HUMILITY & HUMANITY, and UNCONDITIONAL RESPECT.
OUR GUEST OF HONOR:
Thank you Vishal Jayeshbhai Harsh, PIO/Consul HOC – Consulate General of India, for gracing our event with your presence.
OUR COMMUNITY HONOR RECIPIENT:
Congratulations Gurjar! We are humbled to bestow you with this award!
BRAVO to OUR PERFORMANCE GROUPS WHO ENTERTAINED EVERYONE AT THE EVENT!
- US Anthem singer Anuprabha Dandapat
- Indian National Anthem singer Shriya Sanyal
- Just like you – Uma Shridharan
- Desh Mere Teri Shaan Per Sadke – Padmini Dey
- Vande Mataram – Payel Ghatak
- Bollywood Special – Aarya Dance Academy
- Filmi Dance – Manjula Gone
- Patriotic Dance by Dazzling Diwas – Debbie Goswami
- Rangeela – Nikita Rao
- Vijayi Bhava- the spirit of dance – Padmini Dey
- Pariyo ka Jaadu – Ekta Jain
- Celebrating Indian Weddings – DFD Academy
- Indian American Dreams-Weaving Two Cultures – Nikita Rao
- Anantaal – Rhythms Without Border – Urmi Samadar
- Laavni with a twist – Ekta Jain
- Jai Ho – Payal Ghatek
- Kathak Beats – Mona Mitra
- Dhol-Tasha -ISW
OUR CONCERT:
And the grand finale of this year’s cultural program, the hearty musical concert by Boston based singing band ‘Kadak Chai’! A fond shout out and a THANK YOU KADAK CHAI, for getting us to sing, swing and sway to the ambient and groovy songs as you presented Desi hits with an international twist! THANK YOU KADAK CHAI!
- Jay
- Reshma
- Andrés
- Raj
- Ajay
- Sudha
- Praveen
OUR FOOD PARTNER:
The mouth-watering food brought to us by one of New England’s finest restaurants and our food partner, TREASURY KITCHEN was a class apart, as usual!
OUR GRAND SPONSORS:
- Atamian Honda
- Russian School of Mathematics
- Landeed
OUR MEDIA PARTNERS: A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL OUR MEDIA PARTNERS:
- INE (Upendra Misra & Dr. Manju Sheth)
- Lokvani (Anil Saigal)
- TV Asia (Jharna Madan)
- Mera Sangeet.com
OUR VENDORS:
Our bright mosaic of over 40 vendors offering a variety of ethnic & international products, services and a wealth of information.
- 419 Baron Park Construction
- Brahma Kumaris
- Desi Diva Fashion
- Dhoom Entertainment
- Divi Ethnics
- Grow Infinite Financials
- Hindu Swayamsevak sangh
- House of Saaj
- IAGB
- IAGB
- India Circle of Caring
- Indian Community Church Boston
- Indian Medical Association of new england
- Indian Muslims of Greater Boston
- Isha Foundation
- ISKcon Boston
- Joy of Treats
- KalpTree Financial services
- Kanha Collection
- Kuntal’s Pitara
- Mandeepfinancial
- Mayin Arts LLC
- NE Rise
- New York Life
- Russian School of Mathematics
- Saheli Boston
- Shaadi House
- Shishu Bharati School
- Shivyog
- SREEVEN FINANCIAL GROUP
- Sunrise After Care
- TeamAID Boston
- Tie Boston
- Vaisakhi Weaves
- Vyasa Bros Inc
- Xaria Ventures
OUR VOLUNTEERS:
We are grateful for our committed volunteers! Their willingness to dedicate their time, energy, and talents allow us to keep raising the bars every year with superior quality of socio-cultural, civic & educational endeavors. THANK YOU volunteers! We bow to you for all you do!
- Deepa Agrawal
- Deepti Garg
- Seemant Mathur
- Prashant Kulkarni
- Akshay Thotangare
- Meena Saini
- Akshara Agrawal
- Shalmalee Kulkarni
- Rishika Garg
- Ananya Mathur
- Aaratrika Singh
- Ava Svirskiy
OUR ATTENDEES:
Finally, our hearts are full as we celebrate the Roaring Success of the IAGB India Day 2024, with over 4000 people adorning the luscious green fields of the Esplanade by the scenic Charles River!
It is not joy that makes us grateful; it is gratitude that makes us joyful. So here’s a HEARTENING SHOUT OUT and a heart-felt DHANYAVAAD (Thank You) to ALL who made the IAGB India Day 2024 a roaring success – we couldn’t have done it without you – we owe our success to you!
India Day 2024 stands as a brilliant example of what can happen when we work together -so let’s continue advocating human values such as respect, acceptance, empathy, and love towards other human beings.
Let this event be a testimony of how to stay rooted to our cultures of diverse regions with oneness in mind, embrace our surrounding cultures and work together to build a strong community.
IAGB Community Conversation
IAGB asked the community, “What does Patriotism Mean to You?”
Kadak Chai Band replied:
“Patriotism means celebrating our rich cultural heritage while embracing diverse influences from the world. Its about honoring our roots through our Bollywood Rock Fusion, uniting people, and inspiring pride and respect for our country through the universal language of music.”
Prerna Mathur replied:
“Patriotism to me means respecting the fundamental rights and privileges of every citizen. As they are for me, they are for everyone. Patriotism to me means being thankful and appreciative of the freedom I have to live my life, my way. Patriotism to me is giving back selflessly to the community.”
Sanjay Kudrimoti replied:
“Patriotism to me means appreciating the freedoms and opportunities provided to me and to everyone residing in the country. Patriotism to me means respect of law and order, paying my taxes to provide for the security and services I take for granted. Patriotism to me means giving back to community.”
Yogita Miharia replied:
“Patriotism to me is love, pride, loyalty, commitment, respect and devotion for one’s country. To be patriotic, one must engage in civic duties, uphold and obey the laws, understand the history and culture, promote unity and defend the rights and freedom of the country.”
IAGB Community Spotlight
Community Spotlight - July 2024 - Seshi R. Sompuram PhD.
Seshi’s journey began in Sompuram, a small village in Telangana, India. He attended middle, high school and junior college in Gadwal, a town renowned for its sarees. He completed his undergraduate studies at Osmania University in Hyderabad and earned his Master’s degree at Boston College. Later, he pursued a PhD in Immunology and postdoctoral research at Boston University School of Medicine, focusing on antibody engineering and the development of therapeutic antibodies.
His professional journey continued at CytoLogix, a diagnostics company later acquired by Agilent Technologies. He co-founded Boston Cell Standards Inc. (BCS) with Dr. Bogen, where he serves as the VP and co-inventor of the technology. BCS is dedicated to creating innovative, quantitative cancer testing standards that significantly reduce error rates. His primary focus has been on technology development and clinical trials.
Seshi shared, “Our clinical trials with our products for breast and lung cancer across the US, Canada, the Netherlands, and Eastern Europe has shown that our standards can identify poorly performing tests and alert labs. Recently, we received FDA approval for our cancer biopsy testing control standards and certification from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Our main clients are hospital biopsy testing labs and pharmaceutical companies developing antibody-based cancer therapies. We hope our standards will be adapted in hospital labs worldwide, thereby reducing testing errors.”
For past 24 years, he has been a passionate volunteer at Shishu Bharati, which is a 47-year-old non-profit organization at three locations (high schools in Lexington, Nashua, and Walpole), with approximately 850 students, 200 volunteers, and 80 student volunteers. It is a Sunday school that teaches Indian languages and culture to students from kindergarten through 8th grade. Seshi spent the first eight years teaching 1st grade Telugu language, served two years as Secretary, and six terms as President. He expressed that Shishu Bharati has been one of the best experiences of his life. Teaching his mother tongue, Telugu, to first graders has been a proud and rewarding experience, with former students still expressing their gratitude and keeping in touch with him.
As President, he had the honor of working with colleagues across all three Shishu Bharati locations, an experience that was both humbling and enriching. India New England News aptly described Shishu Bharati as “volunteerism at its best.” Seshi felt fortunate to be part of this fine institution, with dedicated volunteers, some with over four decades of service, and a mission to “perceive, preserve, and promote” Indian heritage to the next generations.
In 2023, with the help of colleagues, Seshi established the Shishu Bharati Alumni Association. Alumni are now actively involved, forming a strong network that supports each other and Shishu Bharati. Over the past decade, he has also helped students gain university recognition for Shishu Bharati’s language curriculum, often resulting in waiving language requirement and getting academic credits. He also facilitated obtaining citations and honors from Massachusetts Governor and Senate Offices, recognizing excellence in teaching and contributing to Commonwealth diversity.
Throughout his time at Shishu Bharati, Seshi had the privilege of working with various regional organizations, including IAGB. His collaboration with IAGB has been particularly rewarding, leading to a successful lecture series by Shishu Bharati’s culture teachers, and performances by kindergarten and 1st-grade students at IAGB’s iconic annual events year after year.
Seshi Sompuram has been a steadfast supporter of IAGB and a trusted thought partner for over two decades, always showing up with great vigor and enthusiasm. IAGB appreciates Seshi for promoting India’s cultural and academic heritage with unparalleled humility and passion.
