JANUARY 2020
Khaas Baat : A Publication for Indian Americans in Florida

FLORIDA CELEBRATES INDIA REPUBLIC DAY

By NITISH S. RELE - [email protected]

Here are the Florida communities celebrating India’s Republic Day.

SOUTH FLORIDA (LAUDERHILL): The Indian Religious and Cultural Center (IRCC) will hold its Lohri/Republic Day/Kite Flying from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 26, at Central Broward Regional Park, Corporate Shelter No. 1, 3700 N.W. 11th Place, Lauderhill. Kites and food will be available for sale. For information on the event, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.irccflorida.com/

TAMPA BAY AREA: The Federation of India Associations (FIA) of Tampa Bay will hold India’s 71st Republic Day celebration on Sunday, Jan. 26, at India Cultural Center, 5511 Lynn Road, Tampa. This year’s FIA officers are President Bhanu Prakash, Event Chair Jigisha Desai and Event Co-Chair Jai Chandran. Festivities for the free event will be from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. with flag hoisting at 1. Also, there will be a cultural talent show, cooking, rangoli, kids’ fancy dress and youth art & essay competitions, 2019 high school graduates scholarships and a blood donation drive. Booths by member associations in respective regional languages will be set up. Food/vendor booths will be day long. For information, email [email protected] or see ad on page 19.

FORT MYERS: The India Association of Fort Myers will hold its Republic Day picnic on Saturday, Feb. 1, at Lakes Regional Park, Shelter C-1, 7330 Gladiolus Drive, Fort Myers. For details, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.iafortmyers.org

JACKSONVILLE: Indian Cultural Society of Jacksonville will hold India Day from 3 p.m. on Jan. 26 at Bolles Middle School, 2264 Bartram Road. Activities include poster competition, fancy dress competition, cultural performances and an India quiz. Entry/dinner is free for members, $5 non-members. For information, email [email protected] or visit www.jaxics.org


Florida communities are preparing to celebrate the kite flying festival, which also is known as Makar Sankrant, Uttarayan, Lohri and Pongal. Here are a few:

TAMPA BAY: The Gujarati Samaj of Tampa Bay will celebrate Uttarayan from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 12, at Florida State Fairgrounds, 4800 U.S. 301 N., Tampa. The event is free for GSTB 2020 members; $20 for non-members and students are $15. A parking fee will be charged by the fairgrounds. For more information, call GSTB President Keval Brahmbhatt at (813) 494-2700 or Vice President Mukesh Patel at (727) 505-4636.

And on Tuesday, Jan. 14, Sanatan Mandir, 311 E. Palm Ave., Tampa, will hold Lohri/Uttarayan/Makar Sankranti from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Jan. 14. For information, call the temple at (813) 221-4482.

Also, the Maayboli Melawa Tampa Bay (MMTB) will hold its annual Makar Sankrant program from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 18, at HCC Brandon, 10451 Nancy Watkins Drive, Tampa. A local talent show will be held. For details, email [email protected] or visit www.mmtbusa.org

ORLANDO: The Gujarati Society of Central Florida will celebrate Uttarayan from 10 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. on Jan. 12 at Turkey Lake Park, 3401 S. Hiawassee Road, Orlando. Lunch will be served at 1 p.m. There will be train rides for kids, bounce house, kites and string for sale, live DJ. Admission is free for members; non-members pay $25 per person. Parking charge is $5 per car. For information, call (407) 460-2020 or email [email protected]

Hindu Society of Central Florida, 1994 Lake Drive, in Casselberry will celebrate Makar Sankranti will Sri Ayyappa pooja/bhajan on Tuesday, Jan. 14, at 7 p.m. Mahaprasad will be served. For information, call Dr. Srinivas Seela at (407) 276-5407 or visit www.hindutempleorlando.org

Maa Durga Sri Sai Baba Temple will celebrate Lohri from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Jan. 12. The temple is at 11414 S. Apopka Vineland Road, Orlando. For information, call (407) 437-6709.

MELBOURNE/PALM BAY (SPACE COAST AREA): The Indian Association of the Space Coast (IASC) will hold Uttarayan from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 19, at Ted Whitlock Community Center (Palm Bay Regional Park), 1951 Malabar Road, N.W., Palm Bay. Kites and string will be available for purchase. For information, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.iascbrevard.com


8th ANNUAL INDIA DAY SET FEB. 1 IN ORLANDO

Story provided by IACC

The Indian American Chamber of Commerce Orlando (IACC) will hold its 8th annual India Day 2020 celebration in downtown Orlando on Saturday, Feb. 1, with the Orlando Magic. Inside and outside the Amway Center, 400 W. Church St., the event celebrates cultural diversity. Thousands will take part in the Street Fest, Magic game, and India Day entertainment before, during and after the game. The IACC has partnered with the Orlando Magic and Fairwinds Credit Union.

India Day will feature dance performances. Attendees can learn more about membership, henna, yoga, and "how to tie" sari and turbwan booths. Some music fans will enjoy a post-game show featuring Bollywood actor Govinda. Post-game event tickets are $30.

The Magic will host the Miami Heat, starting at 7 p.m. Group ticket sales and suite sales are available, making this the perfect networking opportunity for attendees. The third annual 3 on 3 basketball tournament will be played on the Magic’s NBA court, featuring amateur action with three pointers.

The event is a commemoration of India's Republic Day, honoring the date when India’s Constitution went into effect. The NBA has recognized India Day as the Best Heritage Night in the NBA.

To purchase post-game tickets, visit www.iaccorlando.com

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