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Saturday, October 28th evening was an incredible evening in Sugar Land Town Square. About 4,000 people attended the Festival of Lights, showcasing rich cultural heritage of India that stretched from 5 to 10 PM on a perfect evening in Sugar Land. The attendees were enthralled and overwhelmed with the fascinating Indian dances, music and colorful costumes. Positively, this Cultural Festival was designed to promote the virtues of Sugar Land’s diversity. The highlight of the fashion show was appearance by Mayor David Wallace and his lovely wife Kathy as an Indian bride and groom. The entire festival was planned for the pleasure of all ages of attendees with many engaging activities and an array of Indian food. Later in the evening attendees had an opportunity to dance to the beat of Dandia Raas and Bhangra. Sugar Land Town Square and the Indo American Forum of Fort Bend were the driving forces behind this spectacular evening. By all accounts, this was one of the absolutely successful events in Sugar Land Town Square, which was aglow with festive lights.

Rita Sosebee, dressed in an elegant Indian outfit, welcomed the attendees and acknowledged the sponsors. Also, she gave an overview of the activities that took place at this event. The Indian and American National Anthems were sung by youths, Rohan Shah and Priyanka Bhandari respectively. The Percussion Ensemble by Shantilal Shah kicked off the program with terrific performance on tablas. This was followed by Children’s Fashion Show presented by Kids R Kids. It was a sheer pleasure to see the young children in colorful costumes. Activity booths included Mehndi (Henna) painting, Handwriting reading, photo opportunity with the scenic Taj Mahal background, Rangoli, Yoga by Maya, Arts & Craft and Ring Toss. Tara Energy distributed free water and glow sticks. Free bindis and bangles, and free dandiyas for Raas Dance participation were distributed at the Indo American Forum’s booth. The food vendors Ben & Jerry, Udipi Restaurant, Madras Pavillion, VPSS and Bombay Brasserie did very brisk business. Few of the food vendors were sold out half way thru the evening.

Dance performances by Kalangan Group, Nrityasiri Group, Tarana, Anjali Center, Shefali’s Khanjari Group and Jasmeeta’s Devdas were spectacular and captivating. Rita Sosebee welcomed Mayor Wallace for his remarks on this festive evening. Mayor Wallace echoed the theme of the event - diversity as a virtue and strength of Sugar Land. This was followed by a dazzling Fashion Show that included Mayor Wallace and his lovely wife Kathy as a stunning Bride and Groom in rich colorful Indian costume. Participants of all ages made fashion show an outstanding success and amazing experience for all.

After the Fashion Show, Sonal Bhuchar, FBISD trustee and an Indo American Forum member, introduced the dance performances – Bollywood Blast by Desi Karma Group, Garba by Natya Upasana and very fitting Diya Dance by Jasmin Patel’s Group. Again each of these performances was brilliant and enchanting. Each and every performances were reflective of rich culture, meaningful traditions and time tested values of India. After 9 PM the participatory dances started that included Dandiya Raas and Bhangra to the beat of Toki Singh’s dhol along with the traditional music. Many people participated in this festive dancing in town square – an astounding and enriching experience for all.

This immensely successful event was sponsored by the Indo American Forum of Fort Bend, Comerica Bank, and UBS. It was evident that all the retail businesses in the vicinity saw increased level of traffic and business activity. The organizing committee and the Indo American Forum leadership deserves an accolade for truly celebrating Fort Bend County and Sugar Land’s invaluable diversity in a fabulously festive event.

Indo American Forum of Fort Bend celebrated its 3rd Annual Diwali Gala on October 14th, 2006. As before, the theme of the year is symbolic of a State in India. The theme this year was Punjab, celebrating its rich glory and heritage.

The distinguished guests, members and invited dignitaries, enjoyed an evening of gutsy Punjabi folk, Gidha and Bhangra dances. Mr. Toki Singh was brilliant in getting everyone to the floor dancing to the rhythm of the dhol. DJ Impact played to a full house the zesty folksy pop music at a fast crescendo.

The visitors were greeted by a beautiful display of Rangoli by Shefali Jhaveri, Sejal Patel and Mona Barai , and a Punjab scene in the large hall with multi colored fabrics displayed on walls and bangles and parandha gucchas hanging from the ceiling. It was an eye catching sight, rich and vibrant in red, yellow, mustard and blue hues. The center pieces on the tables were rich colored pots and lights by Sarah Dugal of Touch of Elegance.

The Indian Consul General, Hon. ShashiShekhar M. Gavai, an honorary member of Indo American Forum graced the occasion. While conveying his Diwali greetings, he lauded Indo American Forum for honoring the different States of India, their heritage and diversity. Previously, IAF had honored the States of Gujarat and Rajasthan. In the years to come, IAF hopes to honor the rich cultural heritage of different States of India.

Mayor David Wallace of Sugar land, also an honorary member of Indo American Forum, conveyed his Diwali greetings and wished everyone be blessed by the visit of Goddess of Wealth, Lakshmi ,to their homes this Diwali.

Dr. Shelley Sekula Gibbs, Houston Council Member and a write-in candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives, Fort Bend County Commissioner Andy Meyers, Ms. Sonal Bhuchar, Board member- FBISD, and Council Member, Hon. Ken Mathews of Missouri City, were some of the dignitaries present.

Chairman, Harvinder Arora thanked the guests and introduced incoming Chairman, Mr. K. C. Mehta. Mr. Mehta was well received. Mr. Mehta introduced the new team consisting of Naren Patel as the Vice Chairman, Himesh Gandhi as the Secretary, and Harish Jajoo as the Treasurer. He also introduced new Trustees to the existing board. The new Trustees are: Govind Agrawal, Vijay Bhuchar, Tanaz Choudhury, Shefali Jhaveri, Nitin Kapadia and Jasmin Patel.

Sarah Abraham, Ruby Agrawal, Anu Ahluwalia, Anisha Arora, Ranjit Arora, Mona Barai, Anita Bhandari, Gogi Dugal, Himesh Gandhi, Usha Ganju, Shashi Jajoo, Ami and Nitin Kapadia, Hardeep Kaur, Dr. Sandhya Krishan, Maya Mehta, Dr. Mala Nityanand, Hansa Patel, Sejal Patel, Nidhi and Rohit Satia, Sunil Sharma, Sachin Shenoy, Sheila Shenoy, Jasmeeta Singh, and Amrita Thakkar.

Ms. Jasmeeta Singh for “ Gidha Punjabana Da Troupe, Dance by: Sukhvinder Kaur, Jatinder Kaur , Sangeet Kaur , Amol Kaur , Loveleen Kaur , Neha Kaur , Simran Kaur ,Kanika Kaur, Jasleen Kaur ,Chelse Kaur ,Tanisha Kaur and Sukhmani Kaur .

On Friday, September 15, the Indo American Forum of Fort Bend celebrated Navratri festivity combining religious and cultural activities. It was a spectacular Garba and Dandia Raas event at the Sugar Land Community Center. More than 600 enthusiasts of all ages participated in this festive galore that combined good food, riveting music and captivating popular folk dances of Gujarat.

It was an extravaganza worth witnessing for joy and exhilaration that permeated the Indo American Forum's first Navratri festivity. Participants join the concentric dance circles and they whirl to the enthralling rhythm of the intoxicating folk dance. During the Dandia Raas, men and women strike the dandias (sticks) adding to the joyous and enchanting atmosphere. The costumes worn by most of the participants were traditional and alive with rich colors. Especially participation by youngsters was energetic and action-packed. What a nice way to allure youth to the rich culture and heritage of India!

By the time of the event finale, everyone was engrossed, impressed and interested in ensuring continuation of this great Indian tradition in Fort Bend County.

IAF will continue with this traditional festivity and regrets that it could not accommodate many people who booked late. Event demand exceeded its capacity for the venue. Please join IAF next year again to celebrate this event.

Indo American Forum will be celebrating its 3rd annual Diwali Gala on October 16th, 2006. Please confirm your seats now. Limited seats available. Contact or write to: IAF@IndoAmericanForum.Org

Diwali October 14, 2006