What do our guests say?

Thanks to you, Budhi and all other friends for all your love, affection and wonderful hospitality. I was sincerely overwhelmed with the kind of warm response I received from a cross section of wonderful and well-informed people of Orissa and other NRIs of USA, everywhere. Our best wishes to all of you in OSA.

Dr. Kabi Misra's letter to Dr Sitakantha Dash

Announcements (NRO Day in December, 2004):

Dear all

Today I applied for reservation of Jayadev Bhawan and also requested CM to be the chief Guest on Dec 18. I think both will come out 'yes' within a day or two. CM has it seems approved nomination of three secretaries to be on Board of NROFC. A small room in IPICOL building which I think should be inaugurated by CM on Dec 18 through a web camera placed at Jaydev Bhawan.

Sahadeva Sahoo, Bhubaneswar, Orissa

Congratulations:

NEWS

Flag hoisting by Florida Attorny General Charlie Crist as Rajashree Shaw, Dr. Krishan Batra, Satya Shaw (Event Chairman), Dr. Akshay Desai, Dr. Pawan Rattan(FIA President), Dr. Ramappa and Dr. Emandi looked on.

India's Independence Day Celebration

Tampa, FL-August 23, 2004-Federation of Indian Associations of Tampa Bay organized the 58th India's Independence Day celebration on Saturday, August 21,2004 at the India Cultural Center.The chief Guest Mr. Charlie Crist, Florida Attorney General was welcomed by Mrs.Rajashree Shaw with floral garlands.The event began with Flag
hoisting by Mr.Charlie Crist , followed by children singing the national anthems of U.S. and India.The Bollywood Orchestra played patriotic songs.   Shri Satya Shaw, Chairman of the event welcomed the guests, and invited Presidents of 24 associations
to the dias and requested the chief guest to light the lamp on the dias and invited Ms. Amritha Sastry to begin the program with a Prayer  dance.Mr.Shaw in his speach said that, India,  the largest democracy and US, the oldest democracy, were natural allies
and their relationship is growing stronger, and he reminded the audience that India is our
"Janmabhumi"  and the US is our "Karmabhoomi" and we need to maintain a proper balance between the two..He then requested Dr.Pawan Rattan, President of FIA to address the audience.Dr.Rattan requested the audience to observe a moment of
silence for the victims of Hurricane Charley.He then encouraged the youth to get involved in the political process. Dr.Rattan  also thanked Mr.Chandra Patel (FIA Founding President) for uniting the Tampa Bay Indian Community.He then invited Dr.Akshay Desai to introduce the Chief Guest.Mr.Crist spoke about growing Indo-US relations and how terrorism had affected the people of both countries. He also  denounced and condemed cross-border terrorism from Pakistan. This was followed by the presentaion of Bharat Seva award to Dr.Atul Chokshi for his outstanding work in  providing free medical services to the poor people in India.  Because Dr. Chokshi and the presenter Mr. Chandra Patel were unable to attend , the award was presented by Andy Rugani and Kirit Desai and accepted by Dr. Saurabh Chokshi. Dr. Akshay Desai was presented Distinguished Achievement Award for being  appointed as one of only 14 commissioners by President Bush on commission for Asian American Pacific Islander.

Dr. Shyam Mahapatra gave vote of thanks to the event sponsores and specially thanked
Himmatlal Parikh, Ashok Mehta,  Kanti Bakarania, Swapna Shah,  Raghuram Shetty, Jyothi Venkatachalam and Gopa Rautray. The Highlights of the cultural program were performances by over hundred children and a musical concert by Bollywood Orchestra. Dr. Sonal Shah was the Master of ceremonies.  More than1,800 people attended the program.

The entertainment was sponsored by Mr.Satya Shaw,CPA. Food was provided by Mr. Raxit Shah, and dinner was co-ordinated by Rashmi and Ram Jakhotia.

Bottled water was provided by Ekal Vidyalaya.

Obituaries