Councilman hosts a multicultural event in honor of Indian Independence Day.
by Diane Reed
The Orange County Register - Thursday, September 8, 2005
Close to 250 people gathered at the Anaheim Hills home of Anaheim City Councilman Harry Sidhu, recently for a multi-cultural event. The purpose of the party was to introduce guests to the celebration of India's Independence Day and to show how the country gained its independence 58 years ago.
Sidhu is an immigrant from India. He came to the U.S. with his family while still in his teens.
The guests were mostly Orange County elected officials and leaders of the Southern California Indian-American community. They shared how freedom and democracy is helping India succeed in the 21st century.
Among local elected leaders on hand for the event were: Congressman Ed Royce, Assemblywoman Lynn Daucher, Assemblyman Bob Huff, Anaheim Council member Bob Hernandez, County Supervisors Bill Campbell and Chris Norby, Tustin Mayor Lou Bone, Costa Mesa Mayor Allan Manor, Garden Grove Mayor Bill Dalton, Orange Mayor Mark Murphy, Villa Park Mayor Richard Freschi, Yorba Linda Mayor Pro-tem Mike Duvall, Buena Park Council Member Art Brown, Garden Grove Council Member Janet Nguyen, Buena Park Council Member Patsy Marshall, Irvine Council Member Sukhee Kang, Mission Viejo Council Member John Paul Leeds, Mission Viejo Council Member Frank Ury, Orange Council Members Carolyn Cavecche, Steven Ambriz and Jon Dumitru, Santa Ana Council Member Alberta Christy, Artesia Council Member Sally Zuniga Flowers, Corona City Councilman Jeff Miller, former Anaheim Councilman Fred Feldhaus and Anaheim Police Chief John Welter.
"The thing I liked most about it was that Harry Sidhu lives in the old Yorba House," Duvall said. "It sits way up there on the hill and there is a beautiful view. It was a very nice event and very well attended."
Sidhu said that the Aug. 14 reception, "was a great opportunity to bring us all together."
He added that he could have thrown an India Independence party just for his Indian friends but didn't want to do that.
"I'm an American first," he said, "and I wanted to celebrate in America, an India Independence Day that brought people together."
Congressman Royce lead guests in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag, then introduced Los Angeles Human Relations Commissioner Nirinjan Singh Khalsa who spoke briefly.
Jocelyn Brown, of the Chance Theater, sang the Star Spangled Banner. Ami Khetani sang "Vande Mataram" and the Indian national anthem.
Entertainment included a Bharat Natyam -- a classical Indian dance -- performed by Peepa Radhakrishnan.
The USC Bhangra team also performed. Bhangra is an historic type of music and dance that originated in the Punjab area. Its lyrics tell the history of the territory.
Guests also learned about Pratam USA, an organization that supports education in the poorest sections of Bombay.
"The unfortunate fact is that there are more illiterates in India right now than at the time of independence," Chuck Anderson said. "So, dealing with this issue is critical."
He added that the charity formed in 1997 will reach close to 20 million children this year.
Supervisor Chris Norby, described India as, a country bound to America by democracy and a common language.
"What two nations are better equipped to lead globalization, not just of the economy but of common values, of tolerance and democracy and acceptance?" Norby asked.
Congressman Royce suggested that perhaps the top ten entrepreneurs on the U.S. and India should get together to come up with, "the kinds of changes that will give everyone opportunity."
Campbell said it was a very nice event.
"It was a celebration of a particular cultural community, honoring India's Independence," he said, "but it shows how we as Americans, can get together for a cultural experience in the context of Anaheim."
"It was a beautiful evening," he added, "and the turnout of so many elected officials was a great tribute to Harry Sidhu."