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Governor to be chief guest at India I-Day celebration
Jeb Bush, the younger brother of the US President would be the chief guest at Tampa, reports Lalit K Jha.
Signifying new era of friendship between India and the United States of America, the Florida Governor, Jeb Bush, who is also the younger brother of the U.S. President, George Bush, would be the chief guest and key note speaker at the India's Independence Day celebrations at Tampa on August 20.
"This is an important occasion for the NRI community in the U.S. and those in Florida in particular. Gov. Bush would also present award to eminent community members for their accomplishments," Satya Shaw, event chairman, told HindustanTimes.com, after making an announcement in this regard.
Instituted for the first time, among the prominent award include, Shaw said those in name of Kalpana Chawla to be given every year to the young woman Indian scientist. It is from Florida that Kalpana Chawla flew into the space for the last time, thus the decision to set up this award, he said.
More than 10,000 people are expected to attend India's Independence Day celebrations to be held at the prestigious Sun Dome at Tampa in Florida, he said. Over the past few years, Indians have emerged as an influential minority community in Florida; Shaw said adding that the number of Indians in the State too has increased substantially in past few years.
Among other awards instituted by the FIA Tampa Bay from this year are Pride of India award, Community Service Award, Indian Philanthropist of the Year, Indian Physician of the Year, Indian Hotelier of the Year, Indian Convenience Store owner of the Year, Indian Entrepreneur of the Year, Indian Computer Professional of the Year, Indian Teacher of the Year, Indian Student of the Year, Indian Association of the Year, Indian Sportsman of the Year, Indian Press of the Year, Indian American Political Activist of the Year and Indian Event Sponsor of the Year.
Besides the usual Independence Day Parade, the day-long event would also be marked by the 24th Miss India USA Pageant. At a glittering function to be held in night, the reigning Miss India U.S.A., Reshoo Pande, would pass on the crown to one of the 30 contestants from various States of the U.S.
"This is for the first time that such a large number of contestants are participating in the Miss India U.S. pageant," said Dharmatma Saran, organizer of the beauty contest.
According to Shaw, the Independence Day Parade during the day would be lead by the Bollywood actress Preeti Jhangiani as grand marshall. She would aloe be presenting a Bollywood extravaganza in the evening along with other stars from the Indian film city, he said.
One of the important feature of the day-long event, Saw said would be dance presentation by 40 different groups from various parts of Florida. "This is amazing. This shows how, we Indians have managed to retain our culture far away from India," he said.
Shaw said the presence of Gov. Bush at the function as the chief guest and to deliver the key note address, indicated how importance they gave to the Indian community. "We feel proud of it," he said.
