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India's Independence Marked By Gifts, Cultural Spice

Aug. 24, 2008 — The India Association of the Virgin Islands celebrated India’s 62nd Independence Day with cultural dancing, kind words and gifts to Virgin Island’s education and health systems.
Keynote speaker Lt. Gov. Gregory R. Francis highlighted the community contributions of the India Association by saying, "The India Association gives from the heart."
The other keynote speaker, Deputy Consul General of India to New York Ajay Gondane, started his speech by noting the closeness of the United States and India was not a new phenomenon, but started with support for India’s independence from Great Britain by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 1940s. He stressed the democratic traditions of the Indian Republic, and said the world’s largest democracy and its wealthiest democracy must move forward together to promote democratic freedoms around the world.
On a more personal note, he said was pleased to see that the India Association was both integrated into the local community and mindful of their cultural heritage. Gondane said, “Without roots in the cultural past, a tree cannot grow strong and flourish in new ground.”
A program of Indian dance followed, the first of which was "Vande Mataram" a "bow to the motherland" performed by Simran Mirchandani, Divina Mohanani and Dhriti Shivlani. The three young ladies were followed by Samir Advani, Viren Advani, Chirag Sharma and Yash Shivlani, who performed "Rang De Basanti" the "colors of patriotism."
When the applause died down from the dancing, India Association President Mulo Alwani invited Francis and Gondane on stage to join him in presenting the awards. Charlotte Amalie High School Principal Carmen D. Howell accepted the continuing gift to the "Plato" computer assistance program, acknowledging the substantial contributions of the India Association and Topa Insurance Services. Laverne E. Ragster and two University of the Virgin Islands students then accepted the scholarships in nursing and business management presented by the Association.
The assembled celebrants then swooped down on an Indian cuisine buffet presented by the kitchen staff of the Marriott Frenchman’s Reef Hotel. The confirming comment of the evening was that the Indian community was like spice and curry — without it, the West Indies would be missing a vital ingredient.
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