The Bluegrass Indo-American Civic Society (BIACS) hosted its annual India Day this year after five years of the pandemic struggle as a free event to the public.
India Day is an annual event that has long impacted Dunbar students and community members. It is meant to unite all members of the Lexington community to celebrate inclusiveness and diversity.
Over 500 community members attended the event.
“I think the impact of India Day really showed this time,” said senior and youth board member Harsha Tummala, “particularly with the attendance skyrocketing after the hiatus and the support that we see from our local political leaders.”
The event includes a multitude of activities celebrating Indian culture, including games, performances, and traditional food and clothing from different regions of India.
BIACS also has a youth board that helped with the event, many of whom are Dunbar students.
Freshman and youth board member Priya Chandrashekar said that the event helped her feel more connected to her culture and gave her a sense of community within Dunbar.
“I had gone to almost every India Day before the pandemic, sometimes even performing,” said senior and youth board member Siddhi Viswanath.
“So
Vice Mayor Dan Wu and Kentucky Representative Nima Kulkarni also attended the event as VIP guests.
“India Day shows the Indian & South Asian communities that they belong in the broader conversation and culture of Lexington and highlights the best of those communities to the rest of Lexington,” said Vice Mayor Wu.
Performer and senior Aditya Rajesh said that “the support from the event gave [him] a huge confidence boost.”
Vice Mayor Wu emphasized the rol e of the youth in cultural events.
“As a ‘third-culture kid‘ myself, I think [the youth] are perfectly positioned to bridge the gaps of those cultures & worlds,” he said.
Junior and youth board member Avneesh Kudrimoti said that he thinks more events like India Day should take place to develop a sense of cultural sensitivity.
“Programs like this bring people together and create a more diverse and accepting community,” he said, “especially in a world that becomes more divisive by the day.”
The youth board helped set up, decorate, and volunteer during the event.
ABC news also covered the event.
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Courtesy of the Bluegrass Indo-American Civic Society.
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BIACS Youth Board
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Few of the vendors who sold Indian clothing and jewelry and Indian food.
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A Zumba demonstration getting the audience up and moving.
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Vice Mayor Dan Wu and Kentucky State Representative Nima Kulkarni presenting gifts to prominent Indian-American community members that contributed to the event.
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Singer and senior Aditya Rajesh performing Indian songs for the event.
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Kids dance a traditional Punjabi Gidha performance.
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A pair of ladies a part of the annual Ladies Fashion Show, showcasing traditional wear from different states in India.
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Young dancers for a Bollywood performance.
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