NORWALK, Calif. — Patriotic tunes, the aroma of tasty Indian food, and an electric energy filled the air as nearly 10,000 people filled the outdoor fields at the former Excelsior High School here on the evening of Aug. 13 to celebrate the 64th anniversary of India’s independence.
For a second consecutive year, the evening’s festivities were jointly organized by the Federation of Indo-American Associations of Southern California and the United Federation of Indo-Americans of California.
With nearly 100 booths surrounding the center stage in a U-shape, and featuring a schedule of nearly 35 song and dance items, the evening-long cultural program had Indian Americans celebrating Aug. 15 along with the event’s grand marshal, Bollywood actress Amisha Patel.Arriving moments after the cultural performances had ended, Patel circled the perimeter of the school grounds in a white Lexus convertible driven by FIA-SC advisory board member Ajmer Singh and escorted by sheriff’s deputies whil 
e thousands of people rushed to surround the car as it made its way around the field.
e thousands of people rushed to surround the car as it made its way around the field.Later, the actress spoke of how proud she is of India’s current standing in the world, despite its relatively young age as a democratic nation.
“So many languages. So many different cultures. So many diverse people. This is exactly what India is, (and) they all live under one roof,” Patel said. “It’s amazing what India has 
achieved in such a short span. There are other countries, we know, who have earned independence around the same time (as India) but haven’t managed to achieve what India has.”
achieved in such a short span. There are other countries, we know, who have earned independence around the same time (as India) but haven’t managed to achieve what India has.”The leaders of the co-hosting organizations echoed similar sentiments.
“This showcase of merriment is synonymous to the sacrifice made by our valiant freedom fighters and national heroes before 1947, (all of whom) envisioned a tomorrow where freedom will prevail,” UFICA president Vineeta Vineet said.
FIA-SC president Rajinder Dhunna also paid tribute to the many freedom fighters who gave their lives in order for India to become an autonomous nation.
“We are celebrating our freedom tonight. We paid a dear price for our freedom. As you all may know, freedom is never free,” he said, citing statistical data that showed how India has become a world leader in many categories since breaking free of British rule in 1947.
A representative from Congressman Ed Royce’s office concluded the evening’s formal remarks.
Patel then formally led the event’s dignitaries in the hoisting of the Indian flag, the singing of the Indian and American national anthems and the traditional lamp lighting ceremony.
In addition to the hour-long formal program that featured introductions of all FIA-SC and UFICA board members and speeches from each group’s respective leaders, a vast majority of the attendees took in the sights and sounds of the evening’s cultural programs while intermingling among the many vendors who operated booths at the event.
The vendors included many local Indian-themed restaurants, jewelers and clothing stores. Some guests enjoyed sampling tea at the Tea India booth, while others swarmed a booth selling several unique flavors of Kulfi, the popular Indian dessert.
Several people danced the night away at a pair of booths featuring a deejay playing popular Bollywood and Bhangra tunes.
Booths operated by various clothing distributors were popular destinations for women who perused the selections of clothing or jewelry. Other booths featuring Indian dry snacks and spices were sold out before the conclusion of the event’s formal program.
For those seeking mental and physical peace of mind, one organization offered a free 20-minute acupuncture session.
Others paid visits to booths offering finance or insurance advice. A few vendors, such as the Krsna Culture Center of Cerritos and Buena Park, offered unique insights into cultural or religious issues.
A large booth promoting Lexus was located in the exact center of the field. Three Lexus models, including one used to escort Patel around the grounds, were on display in front of the booth.
The cultural program was essentially a variety show, with many talented individuals paying homage to India in a series of well-choreographed dance performances to popular Bollywood tunes, classical Indian dance melodies or goose-bump patriotic hymns.
When the stage was lit up by spectacular Bollywood, Bhangra or Kathak dance numbers, some well-tuned singers graced the microphone with some of the greatest songs representing India’s independence and subsequent birth of a nation. In all, the cultural program represented unique aspects of Indian song, dance and music.
In addition to the mela, both UFICA and FIA-SC also hosted a dinner banquet for Patel Aug. 12 at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts. There, Patel was welcomed and treated to an evening of photos and mingling.
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