Speaker points out shared
values of India, America
VERONICA YANKOWSKI Raina Gupta, 4, snuggles in the arms of her dad, Rajesh, during the Indian-American Association of Marlboro’s celebration of India Independence Day on Aug. 16.
Indian American Assoc.
of Marlboro celebrates
India’s Independence Day
By larry ramer
VERONICA YANKOWSKI Professor Jagdish Vyas of Utah State University addresses an audience during a celebration of India’s Independence Day. The Indian American Association of Marlboro sponsored the event at the Marlboro Recreation Community Center on Aug. 16.
Staff Writer
MARLBORO — The Indian American Association of Marlboro held a celebration of India’s Independence Day on Aug. 16 at the Marlboro Recreation Community Center. India achieved its independence from the United Kingdom on Aug. 15, 1947, association President Vivek Sinha said.
The celebration in Marlboro included a cultural program, as well as visits from local dignitaries.
Indian and American flags were raised during the celebration, and traditional Indian food was served. Children sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" and the Indian national anthem. Other youngsters performed on the tabla, an Indian drum. One child played an Indian song on the piano, and a couple sang an Indian song.
Jagdish Vyas, a professor of political science at Utah State University in Logan, Utah, told participants the United States and India have a great deal in common and should work together. Both countries are democracies that achieved their independence from Great Britain, Vyas pointed out. Both nations also have certain mutual values, he added.
"India and America are so close naturally … they have ideas of liberalism, pluralism and freedom in common," said Vyas, who added that India and America should "collaborate in shaping human destiny by making mankind more moral, spiritualistic and humanitarian."
India is in a good position to give the world an added dose of spirituality, Vyas added.
The current Indian population of Marlboro is slightly under 3,000 residents and the community’s population in the township is growing at a rate of about 10 percent annually, association member Jatin Shah reported.
Marlboro’s total population according to the 2000 census was 36,398 residents.
The township’s Indian community would like to become more involved in the school board and wants the township’s public schools to teach students about Hindu culture, Shah said.
Yoga is one aspect of Indian culture that all children would benefit from learning about, Vyas added.
In addition, the Indian community wants to become more vocal about important issues facing the town, such as taxes and overdevelopment, said Sinha, the association president.