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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline AUGUST 30, 2024 | The Indian Eye 22

Indo-American Cultural Foundation of Central Jersey

Celebrates India’s 77th Independence Day with Colorful Event

OUR BUREAU

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ
ore than 350 attendees gathered
for a vibrant celebration of India’s
M77th Independence Day, hosted
by the Indo-American Cultural Foundation
of Central Jersey (IACFNJ) on August 17,
2024. The festivities, held at the Shree Swa-
minarayan Temple on Culver Road, South
Brunswick, showcased a rich array of cultural
and patriotic performances.
The event featured over 20 performanc-
es, including traditional and classical dance
routines, musical instrument showcases, and
vocal performances. Talented young art-
ists captivated the audience with nearly two
hours of engaging performances, highlighting
their skills and dedication. The celebration
began with a pledge of allegiance, followed
by the American and Indian national an-
thems, and the singing of “Vande Mataram.”
Elected officials in attendance included
South Brunswick Township Councilwoman
Archana Grover and School Board Mem-
bers Barry Nathanson, Dr. Smitha Raj, and
Deepa Karthik. They offered their congrat-
ulations and support to the Indian American
community. IACFNJ President Dr. Tushar
Patel expressed his gratitude to the commu-
nity and the Shree Swaminarayan Temple for
their contributions to the event’s success. He
remarked, “We are fortunate to live in the
USA and celebrate two of the world’s top de-
mocracies—India, the largest, and the USA,
the oldest. As we celebrate, we must remem-
ber the sacrifices of freedom fighters.” A spe-
cial highlight of the event was the presence of
Amar Kaur, a 106-year-old resident of North
Brunswick, who joined in the Independence
Day celebration. The event was skillfully co-
ordinated by Event Chair Naina Goel and
hosted by three talented youths. Music and
DJ services were provided by Hrushi Jadhav,
and a variety of delicious food added to the
event’s appeal.
In addition to cultural events, IACF-
NJ supports local education through schol-
arships. In 2024, IACFNJ awarded seven
scholarships to high school students in South
and North Brunswick based on academic
merit. Scholarships were presented in mem-
ory of IACFNJ members Murthy Yerramilli
and Sunil Shah, with awards given at North
Brunswick High School on June 4, 2024, and
South Brunswick High School on June 12,
2024.
Looking ahead, IACFNJ is preparing for
its upcoming Navratri Garba event, a major
celebration set for October 4 and 5, 2024, at
South Brunswick High School.

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