Representative Image / 250americanindependence.org

The Indian American community, along with lawmakers from both sides, will convene on July 25 for a special celebration of America's 250th anniversary in Washington, D.C.

The event titled “America 250 Indian American Commemorative Celebration” at DAR Constitution Hall is expected to spotlight the community’s journey and contributions to the nation.  

Speaking to New India Abroad about the event, Ramesh V. Kapur, co-chair of the Indian American organizing committee and president of the U.S.-India Security Council, along with organizing committee members Rajender Dichpally, Priya Samant and Suvas Desai, said the celebration is about more than commemorating a historic milestone. 

Also read: Hundreds celebrate America's 250th at Irvine Hindu Mandir

"It is about honoring America's 250-year legacy, celebrating the extraordinary contributions of Indian Americans, and building a stronger, united voice for our community," Rajender said.

Kapur revealed that the July 25 celebration marks the start of a broader five-year effort to strengthen advocacy on issues affecting Indian Americans and reinforce bipartisan support for the U.S.-India relationship.

He said the organizers plan to work more closely with other ethnic and immigrant communities, invest in public outreach, and eventually establish a more permanent advocacy presence in Washington, D.C.

The organizers said the evening has been designed to appeal to audiences across generations, combining cultural performances with addresses by leaders from public life, academia, business and the Indian American community.

Priya Samant told New India Abroad that the programme will feature an "electrifying" bhangra performance by Lalkaare Folk Academy and the Bhangra School of Virginia, and performances by Grammy Award-winning singer Falu (Falguni Shah) and globally celebrated South Asian a cappella group Penn Masala.

"We've slotted our cultural performances so that every kind of audience, every persona that's going to be there, has something to enjoy and be part of the celebration," she said.

 According to organizer Suvas Desai the Indian American community has become one of the country's most successful immigrant groups but has not always effectively communicated the scale of its contributions.

He pointed to Indian Americans' presence in healthcare, hospitality, entrepreneurship and technology, saying the community has created jobs, generated economic value and contributed across all 50 states.

"We probably did not need to project that image before, but the times have changed. We need to do something more," he said, adding that the event is intended to unite organisations that have traditionally worked independently.

Desai said previous advocacy efforts often succeeded only through temporary coalitions, citing the U.S.-India civil nuclear agreement as an example, but stressed that the community now needs a sustained and coordinated approach.

"Our future generations are going to continue here. This is our home, and we need to project what Indian Americans are doing for this country as Americans," he said. 

Rajender said the celebration will bring together a distinguished lineup of speakers and guests, including U.S. Representatives Raja Krishnamoorthi, Shri Thanedar and Ro Khanna; former NASA Administrator Michael D. Griffin; General Atomics Global Corporation Chief Executive Vivek Lall; U.S. Social Security Administration Deputy Commissioner Arjun Mody; AAHOA Chairman Rahul Patel; academic Professor Rajendra Srivastava; author Rajiv Malhotra; Indian American veterans Chris Aiyar and Arun Ayyagari; and former Trump administration officials Ashok Pinto, Uttam Dhillon and Raj Shah. 

The organizers said they hope the celebration will serve not only as a tribute to America's founding ideals of freedom, opportunity and unity, but also as the beginning of a more collaborative chapter for the Indian American community.

The celebration is being hosted by a coalition of Indian American organizations including the U.S. India Security Council, Indian American Impact, American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA), The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE), American India Foundation (AIF), Hindu American Foundation (HAF), Americans 4 Hindus (A4H), American Hindu Coalition (AHC), and the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA), along with other community, business and civic organizations.

More details about the event are available here: 250americanindependence.org  

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