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    NORTH AMERICAN Newsline                                               AUGUST 28, 2026      |  The Indian Eye 32

               IACFNJ Celebrates India’s Independence

                      Day with Patriotic Cultural Program

            OUR BUREAU
            South Brunswick, NJ

                  he Indo-American Cultural
                  Foundation  of  Central  New
            TJersey  (IACFNJ)  celebrated
            India’s Independence Day with a vi-
            brant and patriotic cultural program
            at the beautiful Shree Swaminarayan
            Temple, located at 329 Culver Road in
            South Brunswick, New Jersey. More
            than 100 members of the local com-
            munity,  including  elected  officials,
            community leaders, families, seniors,
            and  young  participants,  gathered  to
            honor India’s rich heritage, remember
            the sacrifices of its freedom fighters,
            and celebrate the enduring friendship,
            diversity, and cultural contributions of
            the Indian-American community.
                The  celebration  was  hosted  by
            the Shree Swaminarayan Temple in   The presentation portrayed the cour-
            its beautiful outdoor gazebo, provid-  age,  sacrifice,  determination,  and
            ing a warm and welcoming setting for   patriotism of legendary heroes and
            the community gathering. The temple   freedom  fighters,  including  Chhatra-
            generously provided light refresh-  pati Shivaji Maharaj and Rani Laksh-
            ments for all attendees, while Patel   mibai.  The  moving  performance  re-
            Brothers of North Brunswick spon-  minded the audience of the struggles
            sored sweets for everyone, adding a   that shaped India’s journey toward
            special touch of sweetness and com-  independence and emphasized the
            munity spirit to the occasion. IACFNJ   responsibility of every generation to
            expressed its sincere appreciation to   preserve the values of freedom, unity,
            the temple leadership, Patel Brothers   sacrifice, and national pride.
            of North Brunswick, volunteers, per-  The celebration was honored by
            formers, families, and all those whose   the presence of several distinguished
            support and participation helped make   elected officials and community lead-
            the celebration a memorable success.  ers, including South Brunswick Mayor   taries. The entire gathering then stood   demonstrating that India’s rich his-
                The program opened on a spiri-  Charlie Carley, Deputy Mayor Ken   together to recite Jana Gana Mana,   tory, traditions, cultural values, and
            tual and auspicious note with Ganesh   Bierman, Councilwoman Archana   India’s National  Anthem,  followed   spirit of patriotism are being passed
            Vandana, seeking the blessings of   Grover, North Brunswick Council-  by the Star-Spangled Banner, the Na-  on to the next generation of Indian
            Lord Ganesha for a successful and   man Rajesh Mehta, School Board   tional Anthem of the United States.   Americans.
            meaningful  celebration.  The  audi-  Members Manpreet Singh and Sonali   The moment beautifully reflected the   For  more  than  two  decades,
            ence was then treated to an impres-  Sinha, and New Jersey’s 12th Congres-  community’s deep pride in its Indian   IACFNJ has played an important role
            sive presentation of Indian classical   sional District candidate for the U.S.   heritage while embracing the values,   in bringing the community togeth-
            dance, showcasing the beauty, grace,   House of Representatives, Dr. Adam   opportunities,  responsibilities,  and   er while preserving and promoting
            discipline, and rich traditions of In-  Hamaway.  The  dignitaries  extended   diversity of its adopted homeland, the   India’s culture, customs,  traditions,
            dia’s  performing  arts.  The  cultural   their warm Independence Day wishes   United States of America.  and  heritage.  The  organization  also
            program also featured instrumental   to the Indian-American community   The celebration demonstrated   strives to promote harmony, com-
            performances and patriotic songs, cre-  and congratulated IACFNJ for orga-  the true meaning of unity in diversity,   munity engagement, and cultural
            ating an atmosphere filled with pride,   nizing the celebration and for its more   bringing together participants from   diversity  throughout  Central  Jersey.
            enthusiasm, and celebration.      than two decades of dedicated com-  young children and students to senior   Events such as the Independence Day
                One of the major highlights of   munity service and commitment to   members of the community. Through   celebration provide an important op-
            the program was a powerful dance   promoting Indian culture, traditions,   music, dance, storytelling, patriotism,   portunity for younger generations to
            drama combined with storytelling, ti-  heritage, and diversity throughout   and cultural expression, the event   understand their roots, appreciate the
            tled “Sangharsh Se Swatantrata Tak.”   Central Jersey.              created an opportunity for genera-  sacrifices made by those who fought
            Through music, narration, dance, and   A particularly proud and emo-  tions to connect with one another and   for India’s freedom, and proudly cel-
            dramatic performances, young artists   tional moment of the celebration   celebrate  their  shared  heritage.  The   ebrate their Indian heritage while re-
            brought to life inspiring stories from   came  when  the  Indian  national  flag   enthusiasm and talent of the young   maining active, engaged, and contrib-
            India’s long journey toward freedom.   was hoisted by the distinguished digni-  performers were especially inspiring,   uting members of American society.

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