With a Zeal to create a Little India within London, enthusiastic members of IIW INSPIRING INDIAN WOMEN organised an event on republic day celebration, focused on instilling those values of patriotism in our future generation.Once again Victoria Hall, Harrow, astounded with patriotism and the we were enthralled to see little kids pumping the atmosphere with the feel of ‘Mera Bharat Mahaan’. The event aptly named, Hamara India aur Hamari Hindi, had a huge turnout and the hall seemed so small.
Children born and brought up in Britain have no idea about India and what being Indian means. To keep that legacy going on within our future generation, IIW embarked upon the journey of creating such events to ensure they instil that feeling and patriotism within our next generation as well.
The programme commenced with a prayer .
The event was hosted by Ms Geeta Sharma , founder of Hindijunctionuk, who started with a welcome note for the esteemed guests, parents and children. The evening progressed with little children enlightening the crowd with their speech on Indian Republic Day and reason for the celebrations.
A number of kids glorified the event with fancy dress where we could see kids dressed as our inspiring Freedom Fighters and role models like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Subhash Chandra Bose, & Jhansi ki Rani. We also had Savitri Bai Phule, spreading the message to educate girl child. There was participation from kids as small as 2 years, which was a delight to watch.
Lot of credit goes to the parents who had put in tremendous efforts. There were acts and dances Involving dances on Suhaane Din Bachpann Ke, a Tribute to Childhood in India, a medley of patriotic songs, Famous poems like ‘Pushp ki abhilasha’ (Pt. Makhanlal chaturvedi), and so on. Some of the participants sang and danced to the beautiful tunes full of praises for India, mesmerizing the audience with a sense of pride and joy. More than 25 children participated for Art Exhibition on the theme India and Hindi thus taking us in to the roots of our country.
Mrs Sashirekha Rajan led the audience and little kids to soulful meditation through Heartfulness.
Along with the performances, art and meditation, we delved into the culture of India with our budding entrepreneurs stalls for Indian food and Clothing. There was ample choice right from chaat pani puri and vada pav to falafels and chinese bhel. Loads of ethnic wear options, costume jewellery, and face painting were amongst the major attractions of the event. Henna application has always been a major attraction and this event would have been incomplete without one. We could see henna artists applying them same to tiny little hands and adults alike. Some very beautiful hand painted candles took the people by awe.
Our adult performers were icing on the cake and had chosen beautiful patriotic desh bhakti songs like Mile sur mera tumhara, Ae mere watan ke logo, Vande mataram… that our entire crowd were tapping their feet to and feeling proud to be an Indian. For a moment it felt like we are back in our own country , our homeland. One could feel the aura and the entire air was filled with patriotism.
There were some esteemed guest, who made time from their busy schedules to encourage these children and boost the IIW team. Mr Tarun Kumar (Hindi Adhikari HCI), Mr Manish Tiwari from Founder Here and Now 365 degrees an award winning marketing agency , Ms Purnima Raval Vyas (The Metropolitan Police Services longest serving female hindu officer), Varsha Mistry (Deputy chairperson of the MPHA), Tara Patel (President of M.Y.C.A.) , Mr Guniraj Vyas, his wife Sudarshan Vyas and Ms Madhu Rai from Punjabi Society of British Isles were some of the esteemed guests.
The programme finally concluded with a dance number on A.R Rahman’s Vande Matram.
Last but not the least a round of applause to the IIW committee team, parents , participants and guests- who pulled the show to the last with lot of hard work and patience.
As our Ex President and Missile Man of India Respected Late A. P. J. Abdul Kalam once said, “We will be remembered only if we give to our younger generation a prosperous and safe India, resulting out of economic prosperity coupled with civilizational heritage”.
Instilling patriotism for the country of origin is one way. IIW moves a step closer to that.
“Jai Hind”
