The India Cultural Garden is one of the 30 or so gardens in the Cleveland Cultural Gardens. The India Garden is now 10 years old and the anniversary was celebrated with a special event and look to the future by FICA. FICA is an organization dedicated to serving the needs of the Asian Indian Community in Northeast Ohio. From its humble beginnings as a student association in 1962, it has grown to be the voice of a diaspora of over 20,000 and on the increase. FICA helps Asian Indian families assimilate into the mosaic of greater Cleveland. The 10th anniversary celebration committee was chaired by Mona Alag, Past-president of FICA, and included Swati Sathe, Kusum Mainthia, Latta Varyani, Poonam Punwani and Raj Pillai.
After appetizers and a social hour, Mona Alag welcomed the crowd to the event. 
Mona Alag
She thanked her committee and supporters and then introduced dignitaries in the audience including Solon Mayor Susan Drucker and Mr. Sandeep Kumar, Consul (Passports & Visas) from the Indian Consulate (New York).
Mona Alag then introduced Ohio Civil Rights Commissioner Leonard Hubert who praised the Indian community and the Chief Guest and keynote speaker Dr. Reverend Otis Moss Jr. Mona Alag and Leonard Hubert Leonard Hubert
Mona Alag then introduced Rev. Dr. Otis Moss Jr. as the keynote speaker. Dr. Moss told of his respect for the Indian community and shared Dr. Martin Luther King's wisdom and told of a trip to India with Rajmohan Gandhi, grandson of Mahatma Gandhi.
 Reverend Otis Moss Jr
Part 2 of the Dr Otis Moss Jr. keynote address.
 Reverend Otis Moss Jr
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Next, Sudarshan Sathe gave the history of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens and specifically the India Cultural Garden.
 Sudarshan Sathe
Raj Pillai told of the future plans for the India Cultural Garden including the 24' granite Torana. Raj has been the driving force behind the India Cultural Garden along with the late Vijaya Emani.
Before the entertainment and dinner, Mona Alag thanked her committee for making the event possible.
A raffle was held with many substantial prizes.
Drawing a raffle ticket
Entertainment included traditional and Bollywood dances from students from the Nupur School of Dance as well as a tabla performance from Joe Culley.
Photos and videos of the entertainment
Photos of people at the event - who do you recognize?
Congratulations to Mona Alag and her committee of Swati Sathe, Kusum Mainthia, Latta Varyani, Poonam Punwani and Raj Pillai for a grand event.
India Cultural Garden 10th Anniversary (this page)
10th Anniversary Entertainment
India Cultural Garden 10th Anniversary People Page - Who do you recognize?
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