Indian culture focus of weekend festival

BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer

BY MICHAEL ACKER
Staff Writer

SAYREVILLE – At least 2,000 people are anticipated at Kennedy Park Sunday for the 25th anniversary celebration of the India Cultural Association of Central New Jersey.

The location has special significance to Old Bridge resident Kiran Desai, one of the founding members of the organization.

“Our first meeting was actually in Sayreville,” Desai told the Borough Council at its meeting Monday. Since that day in 1982, the organization has grown from approximately 10 families to 650 member families, he said.

“There are lots of memories,” Desai added. “How we started, what has happened since then, and here we are celebrating our 25th anniversary. It has been so great.”

Desai, who is a past president of the organization, has since 1981 lived in Old Bridge, where he is chairman of the Zoning Board of Adjustment. Desai, also treasurer of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee, has two adult children.

“I am a community activist,” Desai said. “I help organizations run many religious, cultural and civic events.”

The local India Cultural Association’s growth mirrors the growth of the Indian-American population in the area. While many members are from outside Monmouth and Middlesex counties, most are from towns along the Route 9 and Route 18 corridors.

“The central aim of our organization is to preserve the culture and heritage of India for our next generation,” Desai said. “We have been working toward that goal ever since we started this organization.”

Desai said the organization decided to hold the free event in Sayreville rather than Old Bridge because many members of the India Cultural Association are familiar with Kennedy Park due to its proximity to the Dwarkadhish Hindu Temple on Washington Road.

“We decided Sayreville would be the better venue,” Desai said, “because many [members] know of Kennedy Park.”

The nearby temple has a large congregation that includes Desai, who said that upward of 8,000 people will go to the temple for the three major holy days of the year.

“Anyone living in Middlesex, Union or Mercer counties knows the temple,” Desai said, adding that “the township fire and police cooperate so well. So the day passes without problems.”

The organization regularly holds events throughout the year, Desai said, adding that it takes pride in its needs-based scholarship programs for area students. It has donated thousands of dollars to students in school districts such as Old Bridge, Sayreville, Holmdel, Hazlet, Marlboro, North Brunswick, East Brunswick and Edison.

The organization has also raised funds after natural disasters such as the tsunami that devastated southern Asia in 2004, and Hurricane Katrina last year.

Sunday’s festival, which Desai said has a budget of $62,000, will feature folk dancing from various parts of India performed by organization members and professional dancers. Live music, children’s rides and food are also part of the festival.

The U.S. Postal Service will have a van for those who wish to renew their passports, and a blood donation drive will also be held on-site, Desai said.

“We covered many bases,” Desai said. “Many from Main Street America will be watching and learning [about] Indian culture.”

Desai said he welcomes borough residents and officials.

“I want to invite all of you elected officials and everybody from the town of Sayreville,” Desai said. “… Please come enjoy this day. Be a part of us.”

The festival will begin at 3 p.m. Sunday; fireworks will start at 8:15 p.m.