BALBIR SINGH/INDIANAPOLIS
The Asian American Alliance Inc hosted the Asian Festival to celebrate Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month at the in Downtown, Indianapolis.
Those who attended the vibrant Asian Festival enjoyed the culture, arts, music, henna and food of Asia. Free health fairs and fun activities were there for the entire family. The Asian Outfits exhibition included over a dozen mannequins dressed in traditional outfits. There were over 40 art and educational booths on the mezzanine floor.
Asian American Youth Leadership Awards for 2024 were presented to Asian American seven youth who demonstrated civil leadership and academic achievements. This prestigious youth award has been instituted in memory of former AAAI Board member and president Young-Hee Yedinak.The Award was open to High School students from Central Indiana, with Asian heritage who have demonstrated leadership in school and community.
Dragan Dance by Indianapolis Chinese Community Center, Dance and semiclassical performance by Mudra Dance Academy, Indy Bollywood, performance by Natasha Nair and Andal Kauthuvam of Samyoga School of Dance, Chinese Lion Dance by Indiana Association of Chinese Americans, Fusion by Sanket, Ayesha and Priya, Nrityangan Kathak Inc and Bollywood Beats.
Liang's Oriental Martial Arts Cello Performance by Vincent Won and Cambodian American Girls Empowering by Robam Choun Por were also the other highlights of the Asian Fest Festival.
Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales addressed the audience which turned out in a sizeable number.
Youth Leadership Award
Asian American Youth Leadership Awards for 2024 were presented to Asian American seven youth who demonstrated civil leadership and academic achievements. This prestigious youth award has been instituted in memory of former AAAI Board member and president Young-Hee Yedinak.
The Award was open to High School students from Central Indiana, with Asian heritage who have demonstrated leadership in school and community.
The 2024 award recipients were Ananya Munjal (Central Grove High School), Ava Luo (Carmel High School), Melody Meng (Carmel High School), Shivani Desai (Brebeuf Jesuit High School), Hniang Hniang (Perry Meridian), Naaima Mahmood (University High School), Crawford Jongin Lee (Cathedral High School).
A dedicated Team
Rupal ThakkerThanawala, who hails from Mumbai is AAA president and CEO of Trident Systems.
A native of Washington, D.C., violinist Glen Kwok has been the Executive Director of the International Violin Competition of Indianapolis since 2000. Prior to moving to Indianapolis, Mr. Kwok was Director of the D’Angelo School of Music at Mercyhurst College in Erie, Pennsylvania.
Kanwal Prakash (KP) Singh is owner and founder of KP Singh Designs, since 1972, which specializes in fine architectural drawings. KP was educated in India and at the University of Michigan in Liberal Arts, Architecture, and City Planning.
Ralph Taylor is an independent youth development consultant and an employee of Purdue Sports Properties, in which he is the Radio Color Analyst for Purdue Men’s Basketball. Ralph is currently Purdue University’s representative on the Big Ten Advisory Commission. Ralph received Presidential Lifetime Achievement award for service by President Biden.
Former AAAI president Vince Wong said the Asian Festival provides Hoosiers an opportunity to experience the "Asian culture without even having to travel."
''So thrilled to celebrate this mother's day with a special award received to Bollywood Beats (my first child) along with Aayushi Kabra Moss Deepuck Savnur by Asian American Alliance, Inc. At Asian Fest" wrote Jenny Bhupatkar Chakrabarti.
Congratulating Jenny Bhupatkar Chakrabarti Mr KP Singh commented "It was a pleasure to see you and the talented Bollywood Beats dancers giving their spirited performance at the 2024 Asian Fest. Congratulations on your well-deserved honor from AAAI. The 2024 Asian Fest was an beautiful showcase of Asian cultures.
Anindita Sen wrote on FB "A very special Asian Fest as the Asian American Alliance of Indiana celebrated their 25th anniversary of making a significant impact and difference here. Receiving an award for partnering with this amazing organization for more than a decade was very heartwarming. It has been amazing to have been a part of this growing community for the last 21 years as Nrityangan Kathak Academy has tried to keep Kathak alive in this part of the country.
Lieutenant Javed Khan, Geeta Nair, Yogi Sethi, Center for Interfaith Cooperation CEO Charlie Wiles were among those who attended the festival.