State Senate Leaders Join Community Campaign Celebrating Indian-American Contributions
Minnesota, August 15, 2021: In a remarkable move, the Minnesota State House and Senate have come together to introduce bipartisan legislation that officially marks August 15 as India Day.
This initiative acknowledges the vital contributions of Indian Americans in the state and offers a platform to celebrate the vibrant cultural heritage of Minnesota’s 50,000-strong Indian-American community. Indian-American advocates, including the Indian Organisation for Rare Diseases (IORD), collectively led this effort, marking an important milestone for the community.
IndiaFest is an annual celebration organised by the India Association of Minnesota for 40 years, making it the second-largest Asian Indian festival in the Midwest. The event turns the Minnesota State Capitol grounds into what organizers call “Experience India in a Day,” featuring more than 100 booths from non-profit organizations, cultural groups, and businesses linked to India.
India Day on August 15 is more than symbolism. It supports annual celebrations that bring people together, encourage cultural understanding, and highlight the growing influence of Indian-Americans in Minnesota’s society, economy, and politics.
Bipartisan Political Support
Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka, a Republican, and Senator John Hoffman, a Democrat, walked with the IORD CEO & President prof Ramaiah Muthyala in the IndiaFest parade, showing strong bipartisan support for the Indian-American community.
The bill, known as HF 2535, was introduced on April 16, 2021, aiming to establish August 15 as an annual observance in Minnesota, aligning with India’s Independence Day.
Community Celebration Highlights Cultural Diversity
The 2021 IndiaFest at the Minnesota State Capitol grounds was a vibrant celebration of the Indian-American community’s rich cultural heritage and active civic participation. This lively event showcased traditional booths filled with decorations, customs, and cultural artifacts from various regions of India, highlighting the nation’s remarkable diversity to a crowd of over 25,000 people. The festivities included a colorful parade featuring ethnic groups from different Indian states, flag hoisting ceremonies, and inspiring speeches from community leaders and elected officials.
Throughout the day, attendees were treated to cultural performances that ranged from classical and semi-classical dances to Bollywood and regional dance groups, while food vendors served up delicious, authentic Indian dishes from some of the best restaurants in the Twin Cities.
IORD’s Broader Mission
Under the leadership of Prof. Ramaiah Muthyala, IORD’s mission goes well beyond just cultural advocacy. As the CEO and President, he has been a strong advocate for raising awareness about rare diseases and pushing for policy reforms in both India and the United States.
It may be recalled that IORD was instrumental in securing a Proclamation for “Rare Diseases Awareness Day” from the State of Minnesota in 2016, presented during the Indo-US rare diseases conference organized by IORD.
Founded in 2005, IORD acts as a comprehensive advocacy group for all stakeholders involved in rare diseases in India, including patients, support groups, healthcare providers, and policy advocates.
