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RD2021 Learning Series

India’s Journey to a Republic Nation

RD2021 Learning Series

India with its 1.3 Billion people is the largest democracy in the world, and became a Republic on January 26, 1950 with its own Constitution, Independent executive, Representative and Judicial organs, Federal Governance structure, that have stood the test of time. 

The fact that India was a British colony only 75 years ago and after independence in 1947, has grown into one of the largest economies and one of the most influential countries on the world stage, is in itself a noteworthy achievement. 

The Indian Constituent Assembly, which met for the first time on December 9, 1946, created the Indian Constitution in less than three years. This was a monumental achievement in the face of immense challenges, such as the Partition of India. 

In this 2 session event, we will explore how this monumental achievement to become a Republic came about and understand the difficulties that were faced.

Did you know

  • The first Republic in the world was in ancient Vaishali in modern day Bihar?

  • India had a Declaration of Independence (Purna Swaraj) and a flag almost two decades before Independence?

  • The Constituent Assembly debated and voted on three models of governance: American presidential system, British Westminster parliamentary system and the Swiss Federation system? 

  • The first draft of the Indian Constitution was written by Benegal Narsing Rau, a distinguished constitutionalist, judge and civil servant?  

If you did not know the above, come join us on Jan 16th and 17th  and get to know the answers to these and much more….

Registration Required.

Please register HERE

Prag Singh

IAGB Community Chatter – CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

IAGB Community Chatter – An Indian American Perspective on General Election

“An Indian American Perspective on US General Election”

So how do you tackle the challenge of asking two extreme sides to find a common ground on policies or see issues only through the prism of your own community? By virtue of first letting them come to a forum with the mindset that while it’s not easier to have a conversation when you make a case for your own cause and beliefs vs make a case against someone else’s cause and beliefs, but also know that they need to raise the bar and be the example that community can look forward to.

It also helps big time when panelists have this maturity to know that their responsibility is not only towards their own beliefs but towards the larger interest of their motherland (Matru Bhumi) and Adopted land (karma Bhoomi). After all, we all come from the land of Adi Shankaracharya, who famously brought back the old Indian tradition of “Poorva Paksha” to the modern world. The only difference here was the twist that in today’s world, where we want to know and talk about our enemies more than our friends, IAGB threw the challenge of making a case for your own candidate before finding faults in other’s candidate.

The result was a very well received first session in the new series started by IAGB civic engagement team on US General Elections. It’s never easy to take an issue that almost split the communities, cities and countries right through the seam these days but it’s not fair either to let the situation be like that. At the very least, we can all agree to disagree. And with this belief of doing good for the community, IAGB took the challenge of addressing the current political landscape through the lenses of Indian American community.

The principal focus was on issues that directly impacted the Indian American community primarily. The discussion opened with the most important topic in Indian American minds today about the strained relations with China and Pakistan and the role of US foreign policy in this regard. The other important topics addressed were economy and legal immigration. This resulted in leaving out some of the other significant issues such as race relations, police reform, health care and education funding etc. which were kept at bay to be addressed at a later date. Some initial friendly banters were also mixed with some heated exchange later but all in the true spirit of India’s old tradition of debates. But these exchanges gave the larger community, which was actively following and reacting in the comment section, more insight into the key issues that directly impacts Indian American’s status locally and globally. A strong realization that we as a community must come together to make our voices heard in the political landscape. We all can achieve a lot as a group with civilized and thought provoking conversations inside the community.

Our wonderful panelists included Mr Shiva Sheel, Mr Pravin Munkur , Mr Beej Das and Mr Paresh Motiwala. A recording of this 90 minutes session can be found at IAGB page.​​​​

Hopkinton Town Hall

Coupling – A Grass Root Movement – CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

Coupling – A Grass Root Movement

What happens when you ask people to ignore the big news cycle and look close to your home/town? A very meaningful conversation occurs, with over 40 participants, about where our tax dollars are going, how our children’s needs are getting addressed in local school systems and above all, how can we have a voice in this multiracial community as an Indian American, or as IAGB likes to call it, initiation of “coupling”.

In a discussion that started by looking back at the history and timeline of one of the major new housing development projects (that has put Indian American community in the middle of rising population in metro west), the lessons were shared and a hope to create new paths for similar such initiatives was desired by one and all. And all of this urges the Indian American community to get right at the center of the “decision making” process.

A panel, carefully selected, to take a deep dive on tax issues, to address the fact that this community has a huge population that always has some or other excuse (justified or not) for not participating in local governance, to finally have someone (and an organization) that is ready to take this baton of getting Indian Americans involved in the decision making process at local level. This group was also chosen to represent the two key forms of town governance, namely open and representative. The overall theme represented how our community can successfully collaborate internally first and externally later to form a cohesive bond of people and make its presence felt.

Among many other topics covered from how best to participate in your own town governance to getting tax payers of Indian origins with no current voting rights (people on visa), attendees were also keen to know more about how best to be involved with town and how can they actively play a role in those decision makings. A lot of enthusiasm was shared across topics like how the school budget is decided and how commercial taxes (in this case new residential development) help the town keep personal taxes low. How much time a person needs to take out to be actively involved in town garnered a lot of responses and interests both from the panelists and the participants. 

An engaging discussion took place on the fact that as a community, Indian Americans, are clearly lacking in bringing their strength to the table. This has been a recurring theme whether it is a local election or an election for State or Federal government.

A grass root movement (“Coupling”) at local town level was picked up as a best stepping stone to create a larger and cohesive presence of community.

GuruPrasad Pic

Online Yoga Sessions

Online Yoga Sessions

IAGB extends free daily live online yoga sessions
– Guru Samaga

IAGB has extended and continues to offer free online live tele-yoga sessions, specifically designed to help well-being during this stressful time. We are partnering with NationalInstitute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences (NIMHANS) and its Integrated Centre for Yoga (NICY) located in Bengaluru to offer the yoga sessions. Initially, the yoga sessions were offered 5-days a week for four weeks in April. We saw upwards of 65 people attending these sessions regularly, and people from all over are benefitting from these sessions. 

 

The overwhelming response compelled us to extend the yoga session beyond the initial four-week offering. These free yoga sessions are currently running for an hour on weekdays, starting at 7 am. The focus is on breathing exercises, pranayama, and meditation. The entire course is carefully planned based on scientific research and data. For more information and joining the sessions, please click https://www.iagb.org/yoga-covid19/.

 

IAGB in partnership with NIMHANS (National Institute for Mental Health and Neurosciences) and its Integrated Center for Yoga (NICY), Bengaluru, India, also organized a special power-packed 3.5-hour session with several experts and panelists from India and the USA sharing their experiences on the International Day of Yoga on June 21. The program started with a live yoga session, followed by an overview of the scientific/medical research data related to mental health through a webinar headed by Padmashri Dr. B.N. Gangadhar. Well renowned yoga practitioner and an eminent Physician/Yoga expert and the Director of SVYASA University, Dr. Nagarathna, in her presentation titled “Yoga for mental health” covered many aspects of her and her institute’s work and highlighted the important aspects of practicing yoga as a family. Following that, a moving video message by Sadguru, Founder of ISHA, specifically focused on people living in the USA was shared. In the next the segment, Harvard University Faculty, Prof. Sat Bir Singh Khalsa, shared a presentation on “Yoga for stress.” and showcasing the strides yoga research is making in academia. The final segment of the day involved a panel discussion on “Yoga in Modern Life and Healthy Life Style.” The well-known ayurvedic medicine practitioner, Dr. Jyoti C Hinduja, and yoga practitioners Ram Chelkhara from the Art of Living Foundation, Jay Gupta from ‘Yoga Caps,’ Mr. Dev Lingadevaru from Bramhakumaris, and Mr. Narendra Karapakula from ‘Bharatiya Yog Sansthan’ participated in the panel discussion. Over 180 people attended the entire program.

IAGB History Class

ID2020 Learning Series

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India’s Journey to Independence

ID2020 Learning Series

IAGB in collaboration with Shishu Bharti is excited to present a fun-filled, thoughtful , and educational insight into India’ s long journey from being a subjugated nation to a free nation, now in it’s 73rd year of Independence. There will be 6 sessions with prizes at the end of every session as well at the end of the classes. Please register at the link below to participate. All classes will be held on Zoom. Upon registration you will receive a Zoom ID and password to participate. Classes will begin on July 12th, Sunday from 10 am to 12 am. Registration is free. These classes are open to all Middle School and High School students.


I do not look to history to absolve my country of the need to do things right today. Rather I seek to understand the wrongs of yesterday, both to grasp what has brought us to our present reality and to understand the past for itself.
Dr. Shashi Tharoor
“An Era of Darkness: The British Empire in India”

India gained its independence from the British on August 15th 1947, after almost two hundred years of British rule. The British East India Company came to India in the 17th century to trade with a rich and prosperous India, created an Empire that lasted for two centuries, and then left an exploited and impoverished nation.

The resistance to British rule had an extremely violent phase in 1857, called the “Sepoy Mutiny” or the “First War of Indian Independence”, which led to crushing defeat. It took a decades long nonviolent movement, finally led by one of the greatest human beings in history, Mahatma Gandhi, to gain independence.To further their rule, the British deepened religious divisions that led to a bloody partition into two countries at Independence. All Indians and those of Indian origin in the world are living with the legacy of this period.

In this six part virtual series course sponsored and promoted by the Indian Association of Greater Boston (IAGB), a group of passionate teachers from the Shishubharati School of Culture and Languages will explore this topic.

We will go through a timeline of the events through three centuries, describe the critical factors and important personalities at play; using a book list, Youtube videos and voluntary quizzes to supplement and illustrate the lessons.

Prizes will be given for participation through the course, and at the end.

Event Details

Who: Middle School and High School Students

When: Every Sunday 10 AM -11 AM, July 12 – August 16 2020 (Zoom link to be sent)

Registration: Free

Teachers: Ramanathan Sundaram, Sanjay Rao, Roopesh Mathur,Swatilekha Maiti

 

For any questions, please contact:
Indian Association of Greater Boston (IAGB) : Mrs. Lata Rao ([email protected]) 
Shishubharati: Dr. Seshi Somapuram ([email protected]) , Mr. Vineet Kumar ([email protected])

Filmy Antakshari Video

IAGB Filmy Anthakshari

IAGB FILMY ANTAKSHARI VIDEO

Join Us in our Filmy Antakshari and support our IAGB fundraising efforts to help our local food banks and homeless shelters!​

Getting zoned out with zoom calls? Miss the fun, frolic and merriness of weekend gatherings? 

Well, IAGB is giving you the perfect opportunity…

Are you an artist? Great

Are you a dancer? Amazing

Are you a singer? Fantastic

Are you bathroom singer? No problem at all..

There is something for everyone of you

Come join us and participate in a virtual Filmy Antakshari Video

It’s an Antakshari with a Twist.. जैसे फिल्मो में होती है… जरा जरासी वैसी ही…lekin thodi alag si

Have fun and raise money for the cause. We will be releasing multiple ‘Episodes’ to complete a season every Saturday with first drop scheduled end of June

WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT IN MAKING THIS HAPPEN. ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS PARTICPATE IN OUR EVENT AND 100% OF YOUR TICKET PRICE WILL BE DONATED TO SUPPORT THE FOOD BANKS.

  1. Register to participate choosing your area of interest (Act, Sing, Dance and art)
  2.  Requested Donation is $10 per video. Of course you can donate more if you would like.
  3. You can register for yourself or the whole family for a video.But if family members want to participate in different areas of interest i.e. Dad wants to sing, mom wants to dance and kids want to draw then you will need to register for 3 video’s choosing Individual registration category.
  4.  We will have one Kids Special Episode so please choose ‘Kids Episode’ if you want to register your kids for that episode (Please note spots are limited and will be taken on first come first serve basis)
  5. After registration you will get more instructions based on your area of interest

REGISTRATION