“Hum Aur Humari Bhasha”
This Sunday, the 26th of January 2020 marked the 71st Anniversary of India’s Republic Day. On this very day, India’s Constitution came into force in the year 1950, which marked the country’s transition towards becoming an independent republic nation.
Amongst several other grand Indian Republic Day celebrations held all over the Globe commemorating this event, Inspiring Indian Woman(IIW), a Not for Profit organisation, based in UK, lead the Republic Day Celebrations in Harrow, Greater London. The “Hum Aur Humari Bhasha” event was held at the splendid premises of Zoroastrian Centre, Harrow.
Chief Guest of the celebration was His Worshipful Mayor Cllr Nitin Parekh, Guest of Honours Honourable MP Harrow East Padmshree Bob Blackman, Minister of coordination from High Commission of India Mr Manmeet Singh Narang, various other special guests were Cllr Bandana Chopra from Hounslow, Cllr Anjana Patel from Harrow, Cllr Dr Anwara Ali ( Conservative candidate from Harrow west in last election), Cllr Ramji Chauhan, Cllr Krishna Kumar, Mr Sardar Singh ( President and Director Hounslow Chamber ), Mr Kuldip Shekhawat ( Director MA TV ), Mr Kuha Kumaran ( Conservative campaigner ), Mrs Sonoo Malkani (Community Leader and Chair of Harrow Inter Faith) , Mr Madhav Turumella ( Business man and Philanthropist, Sanskrit Scholar ), and Mr Manji Kara ( Social activists ), Mr Ravi Bhanot ( Businessman and Philanthropist ), Ms Anita Ruparelia ( Executive Member from Brent Indian Association), Mr Vilas Kelkar, Ms Sulochana Sethi Founder ‘Vedicaa’, Solicitors Ms Shalini Bhargava and Dr Renu Raj, Former Beauty queen and writer Rachnaa Jain amongst other local dignitaries gracing the event with their presence.
The entire Indian Diaspora also felicitated Honourable MP Padmshree Bob Blackman being awarded the highest civilian Honour the Padmashree by the Indian Government with a standing ovation and shawls. It was a moment of immense joy and pride.
India’s cultural unity and diversity was exemplified in various creative and outstanding performances that were showcased in this event. Some of the Program highlights included Fancy Dress by children of all ages, Yoga performance by Indira & Dr Vishwanath Sharma, Kathak Dance Recitals,, Mile Sur Mera Tumhara dance by Saranya Patil & Group, Vande mataram medley by Smrithi, Sashwath & Pavithra Venkatesh, Bhajan by Bhaja Govindham Group, Singing & Dancing Medley by Indradhanush Kids namely Riddhi Mittal, Shreya Paul, Rishika Mazumdar and Arushi Yadav, Yoga Fusion Dance-Thematic Dance presentation by Varsha Balsubramaniam and group- Dhrithi, Sowmya, Thaathvi, Varshini, Harshith,Adithi, Shivani,Vivaan, Ritu’s Dance studio Shruthi kannan – Priyam Bharatham, Nishtha Chezian, Mishikaa Vivekanandhan – Jai ho , Rohit – Senthamizh naadu Tamil patriotic song, Tanvi and Stuti group – Desh rangila and Dheem ta dhare, Varsha Balasubramanian, Isha sapre , Ashira jain, Shreya Avhad, Alisha Srivatsava,Snigdha Thaman,Elsa D souza, Vihaan Kumar with Bhaarat humko, Krisha Makwana- A Vatan e mere Vatan from Raazi , Shrivarshini , Avaya & Gayathri – Ramachanraya Janaka with Bharatnatyam, Anika sharma- Naino wale ne Mahi Raval, Aditi, Shikha -Patriotic mash up dance Bollywood
, Neha and Sree- Made in India, Lakshitha dance – kalyo kood padyo, Baani, Juhi, Ashwika, Prisha, Suvitra, Ananya from Priya Group, Jasmine Sarkar, Mahi Raval , Mansi Raval with Chak de India, Shriya, Shrivarshini, Kairavi – a Medley, Vanshika Gupta – Hum honge kamyab, Sunny B Lalitchandra – national Anthem and many more delightful performances by children and adults of all ages. The Grand Finale ‘Indian Potpourri’ was presented by Priya Khushwaha of Vishwam Kathak Kendra Group.
IIW has been instrumental in celebrating India’s Republic Day celebrations in Harrow since 2016. The event has grown by leaps and bounds, and has received astounding response and adulation from the public in and around Harrow. Almost 100 children had registered for this grand celebration and each and every participant was given a certificate and chocolate. Being Leprosy Day as well, ‘LEPRA CHARITY’ representative also spoke about their work and had set up a table.
The IIW team led by Pavithra Venkatesh did a commendable job handing all the organising, handling queries as well as smooth registration. Congratulations to the others in the IIW Team; Shital Kamkar, Komal Ganeriwala, Nitu Saxena, Nilanjana Paul, Priyanka Verma, Seema Khandelwal, Kuldeep Kaur Gill, Heena Zala, Gayatri, Pooja Nikhil Patel, Srividya, Devina Rishi and Vaishali Nagpal. The entire programme was compered by Darshana Shah and Swati Patel who kept the audience engaged. Many women entrepreneurs had set up their stalls too. Photographs Credit- Mr C K Naidu
The event’s purpose was to instil love for the motherland amongst the British (Indian) Kids, which it successfully fulfilled.
Here’s looking forward to many more such unforgettable and magnificent celebrations bringing together the Indian Diaspora based in the UK.
Gayatri Shenoy
