15th August 2017 marked the 70th Independence Day of India. This significant historical event was celebrated all over the country as well as in the Phoenix valley. I had the chance to attend the Independence Nite event hosted by Indo American Foundation of Arizona at EktaMandir.

    The venue was bustling with energy! In their vibrant and colorful costumes, participants were huddled in groups.The portrayal of India’s glory and pride was not limited to flag hoisting. Children of all ages participated in various performances. The Indian National Anthem was beautifully played on guitar. Nanha Munna Raahi Hun, Saare Jahan Se Achha and Vande Mataram were some of the other commendable musical and song performances. Also, several dance performances like Mor Mor Meghero Songi (Bengali) and Jai Phula (Odia), graciously depicted India’s rich and varied regional culture. And of course, dances on popular numbers like Jai Ho and Satyamev Jayate added a Bollywood touch to the event. Aside from the dance and music, a noteworthy effort was the short play titled, ‘1857- First War of Independence,’ enacted by children in Hindi. The skit highlighted one of the most crucial moments in Indian history when the divided Indian rulers united for the first time against the foreign invader. Dressed as freedom fighters, children presented this play on stage. Needless to say, it was a delightful sight.

    Independence Nite by the Indo American Foundation of Arizona was truly an enrichening cultural experience. The voluminous participation of kids was a testament to the success of the organization in introducing the Indian culture to children.