The Indo-American Community Federation celebrated the 250th anniversary of the United States in Fremont, emphasizing civil leadership and community contributions.
FREMONT, CA – On July 12, the Indo-American Community Federation (IACF) hosted a significant event at Paradise Ballrooms to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States. The gathering brought together elected officials, community leaders, and numerous guests to reflect on the nation’s past, present, and future.
A key feature of the program was a panel discussion titled “USA 250 Years: Past, Present and Future,” which was moderated by community leader Yogi Chugh. The panel included prominent figures such as Fremont Mayor Raj Salwan, Milpitas Mayor Carmen Montano, BART Board President Melissa Hernandez, and VTA Chief Government Affairs Officer Beverley Greene. Together, they explored the future of the nation through the lenses of diversity, immigration, and civic leadership.
During the discussion, Mayor Salwan emphasized the vital contributions of immigrant communities to innovation and urged a proactive approach to address future technological and social challenges. Mayor Montano highlighted the importance of inclusive policies and education to support immigrant and working families. Hernandez spoke about the need to create equitable opportunities in increasingly diverse communities, while Greene underscored the significance of unity, equity, and long-term community resilience.
The event also featured remarks from several other elected officials and community leaders, including Union City Mayor Gary Singh, Sunnyvale Council Member Murali Srinivasan, Alameda County Supervisor David Haubert, Major General Garrett S. Yee, former Fremont Mayor Lily Mei, and Bay Area Community Health CEO Harsha Ramchandani. Additional speakers included UPMA leader Ritesh Tandon, Khanderao Kand of the Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies, and community leaders Deepak Chhabra, Tasawar and Tinny Arora Juneja, award-winning radio host Namrita Yuhanna, BART Chief Operating Officer Derek Calhoun, BJP leaders Gaurav and Nidhi Patwardhan, Shaista Ali, founder of We Are One, community leader Raj Bhanot, and Dr. Harmesh Kumar, founder of SABH and an IACF director.
The event was organized by IACF directors Dr. Subhash Garg, Neeshil Shah, Amit Goel, Dr. Deepak Sachdev, and Bimal Bhagvat, alongside the organization’s founder, Jeevan Zutshi. Co-hosted by CEO Makhan Singh Bains’s Paradise Ballrooms and Raja Sweets, the evening began with the U.S. national anthem, beautifully performed by Tanya Gupta. Dr. Garg welcomed guests and presented the organization’s mission, along with a presentation titled “America at 250.”
During the event, Bains was honored for his philanthropy and community service, while filmmaker Rashmi Rustagi received recognition for her work in producing films focused on social causes.
The celebration concluded with a lively musical performance led by BATA Karaoke leader Prasad Mangina, leaving attendees with a sense of unity and hope for the future.
According to India West, the event successfully highlighted the importance of civil leadership and community engagement in shaping the future of the United States.