India Day Celebrated With March Through Streets Of Oakland
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- People of Indian descent marched through the streets of Oakland, celebrating "India Day."
The annual event, sponsored by Pitt's Indian Nationality Room, to showcase Indian culture, art and independence.
"Its about achievements basically of Indians who have come to America and who have settled down in the western Pennsylvania area, Pittsburgh in particular and all they've contributed to the general area," said organizer Vandana Kekre.
There about 10,000 Indian families living in this region, plus students attending local colleges and universities.
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"We have a lot of people who are doctors and professors and engineers and teachers and we're helping in some way," Kekre said.
India Day organizers say while all the dancing, singing, food, and other activities are fun, there is an overall message to this day. A message of diversity and the vibrancy of the Indian population.
"The USA is, as you know, is the ultimate melting pot and some of the cultures that exist here, the Polish, the Slovak, the Scotts, the Italian, the Irish, I think through the interaction here in Western Pennsylvania, you have lessons learned in cultural exchange that takes place," said organizer Kannu Sahni.