The Consulate General of India in San Francisco and the Uttar Pradesh Mandal of America celebrated World Hindi Diwas at the Indian Community Center in Milpitas, highlighting the importance of cultural preservation.
The Consulate General of India in San Francisco, in collaboration with the Uttar Pradesh Mandal of America (UPMA), celebrated a significant milestone by hosting the first-ever Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas and World Hindi Diwas at the Indian Community Center (ICC) in Milpitas. This event brought together community leaders, cultural organizations, educators, and members of the Indian diaspora from across the Bay Area for a meaningful gathering.
The program commenced with remarks from Dr. K. Srikar Reddy, the Honorable Consul General of India in San Francisco, alongside Mr. Rakesh Adhlakha, the Honorable Deputy Consul General. In his address, Dr. Reddy commended the remarkable contributions and achievements of the Indo-American community. He emphasized the importance of preserving India’s languages, culture, and civilizational heritage, stating that nurturing linguistic and cultural identity is a collective responsibility that strengthens community bonds and enhances India’s global legacy.
Mr. Ritesh Tandon, President of UPMA, reiterated the organization’s commitment to expanding and strengthening future celebrations of Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas and World Hindi Diwas across the United States. The event was anchored by Ms. Archana Panda, who also played a key role in coordinating the program.
A highlight of the evening was a special address by Usha Bhatnagar, recognized as Santa Clara County’s first Hindi teacher at Evergreen High School. She reflected on her lifelong dedication to Hindi education, inspiring attendees with her commitment to the language. Nilu Gupta, a Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas Awardee, UPMA co-founder, and Hindi educator at De Anza College, was also present, further emphasizing the importance of Hindi education in the community.
The cultural segment of the evening showcased India’s rich artistic diversity through vibrant performances by various Bay Area groups, including Bollywood Dance Connection and California Nupur Dance Academy. These performances celebrated the cultural heritage of India and engaged the audience in a lively atmosphere.
The event saw broad participation from numerous community and cultural organizations, including UPMA, the India Community Center (ICC), Bihar Foundation of USA, Association of Indo-Americans (AIA), Odisha Society of the Americas (OSA), Rajasthan Association of North America (RANA), Uttarakhand Mandal of America (UMA), Telangana Cultural Association (TCA), Jain Center of Northern California (JCNC), Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS), Sewa International, BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir–San Jose, Dadi Parivar USA, and many others.
Support for the event also came from a wide array of institutions, businesses, and cultural groups, including Air India, Art of Living, Bloom Energy, the City of Santa Clara, GOPIO, iGurukul, India Currents, Siliconeer Ventures Inc., SoLiD Theater, Village Health Outreach, and Yoga Ayurveda Organization Inc. Their collective presence underscored a powerful spirit of unity, collaboration, and a shared commitment to preserving India’s linguistic and cultural heritage abroad.
The evening concluded with a salute to the Indian tricolor, reinforcing a renewed resolve to carry forward India’s linguistic, cultural, and national pride across borders and generations. This celebration not only honored the significance of Hindi but also highlighted the importance of community engagement in preserving cultural identity.
This event was reported by India Currents.