A river flowing into the sea; IACA’s 29th Festival of India at Gas South Center in Duluth, Georgia

“I’m honored to join Georgia’s Indian American community in celebrating the 29th Annual Festival of India and India’s Independence Day. Georgia’s Indian American community has made great contributions to our state, strengthening our social, economic, and cultural fabric. As we mark this occasion, we also celebrate the relationship between our nation and the ties we share with India. Thank you to IACA for organizing this event, and I hope you enjoy the festivities.” These words from Governor Brian Kemp, shared in a heartfelt video message, set the tone for a day that was both a tribute to India’s independence and a celebration of the vibrant Indian American community in Georgia.

Hosted by the India American Cultural Association (IACA) at the Gas South Center in Duluth, the 29th Annual Festival of India unfolded like a river flowing into the sea—each program, performance, and gathering a tributary feeding into the vast ocean of shared identity and cultural pride. With more than 4000 attendees, the festival was a living mosaic of heritage, service, and unity.

The festival highlights included: Health Fair: blood diagnostic tests, free flu vaccines, physician consultation, blood donation drive, Competitive events: chess, drawing, public speaking, First-ever Flower Show, Scholarship Awards ceremony, Address by Georgia’s Elected Representatives, Cultural performances: dances, fashion shows, music, Vendor Exhibition and Food and Read/Write/Learn.

Brad Raffensperger, Georgia’s Secretary of State, reflected on the deeper ties that bind India and the United States. He highlighted the shared history and democratic values of the two nations and expressed gratitude to the Indian community for choosing Georgia as their home. “I think that’s going to be for America, I think it’s going to be greater India,” he concluded, emphasizing the importance of strengthening bilateral ties.

Senator Blake Tillery emphasized respect and equal treatment for all people while recognizing the contributions of the Indian community. He also highlighted the importance of responsible immigration, stating, “We’re glad that folks are going to come to America—but they should come the legal way to be a part of a responsible community.”

Community leaders echoed this spirit of belonging. Alfred John, Chairman of the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners, praised the role of Indian Americans in shaping Forsyth County as a welcoming place, noting, “This festival is a time to celebrate all that is India and all that it means to be Indian and of Indian origin.” Nicole Love Hendrickson, Chairwoman of the Gwinnett Board of Commissioners, added her voice of admiration, commending IACA for its “unwavering commitment to our community.”

Adding a practical note of service, Kandhaswamy Raju, Consul at the Consulate General of India, announced new consular services including Saturday hours at VFS centers, while expressing his happiness at being part of the celebration. U.S. Representative Buddy Carter and Georgia State Representative Sandy Donatucci emphasized Georgia’s inclusive spirit, highlighting how diverse cultures are embraced and how events like the festival foster relationships and belonging. They joined in the celebrations, sharing their enthusiasm for the cultural experiences and remarking how the Festival of India has become a cherished annual tradition.

The cultural heartbeat of FOI was expressed in over seventy dazzling performances staged throughout the day. From classical dances like Bharatanatyam and Kathak to energetic Bollywood medleys, from soulful music to vibrant folk traditions, the stage became a kaleidoscope of rhythm, color, and heritage. Audiences swayed to the beats, applauded the grace of young performers, and celebrated the artistry of seasoned artists. These performances were not mere entertainment but a living connection to India’s cultural tapestry, showcasing the talents of Atlanta’s Indian American community across generations.

“Festival of India brought together over 75 vibrant cultural presentations in music, dance, and art, creating an unforgettable celebration of Indian heritage. This success was made possible by the dedication of the cultural team and enthusiastic performers, with special thanks to Nivedita Garabadu for coordinating the dance competition, congratulations to Laasya School of Performing Arts for their winning performance, and heartfelt appreciation to Chaitali De for managing the entire show with grace and composure.” — Dr. Raktim Sen, Cultural Director, Festival of India.

At the heart of the celebration lay IACA’s steadfast mission to build community through service, education, and culture. The Health Fair emerged as a vital part of this year’s festival, providing free screenings, blood tests, colon cancer checks, EKGs, and direct consultations with specialists in internal medicine, endocrinology, dentistry, ophthalmology, psychiatry, and more. Over 200 elders and community members benefitted from the fair. Health Fair Volunteer Lead Sooryakumar Aparna Thoppan reflected, “The IACA Health Fair 2025 was remarkable, not just for the medical care it provided but for the dedication and compassion of the volunteers. It was heartwarming to see elders express their gratitude, reminding us that such initiatives are as much about kindness and dignity as they are about healthcare.”

Chand Akkineni, IACA Board Member and the visionary behind the festival, emphasized the dual impact of service and celebration, saying, “IACA is happy to serve 400+ people in the Health Fair thanks to the support from Indian Community Physicians and other healthcare service providers. The Flower Show has attracted many gardening enthusiasts.”

The flower show itself became a symbol of vibrancy and togetherness. Fresh blossoms adorned the venue, offering color and fragrance to the day. As Flower Show Coordinator Neeta Shenvi put it, “The flower show brought color, vibrancy, and natural beauty to FOI, enhancing the overall atmosphere. The show also brought several women together and gave them an opportunity to build friendship and sisterhood.”

Chess tournament added an intellectual dimension to the day. For the first time, members of the Gwinnett Police joined the competition, a highlight that underscored the festival’s reach beyond cultural boundaries. Mohua Maity, Owner of Mohar Chess and Vice President of the Georgia Chess Association, remarked, “It’s the 4th year I am doing the chess tournament with IACA, but for the first time we had Gwinnett Police play in the tournament. Festival of India 2025 offered a glimpse into India’s rich cultural heritage reflecting unique customs, programs and celebrations.”

Encouraging voices of the future, the public speaking contest brought middle schoolers, high schoolers, and adults together on one stage. With 6 middle school, 9 high school, and 3 adult table topics participants, the contest nurtured eloquence, creativity, and confidence. Organizer and IACA Board Member Ranjithaveena Pol said, “It was inspiring to watch participants speak with confidence and creativity. These contests give young people and adults alike a platform to express themselves, which is an important part of IACA’s mission.”

Other children’s activities included the Read Write Learn storytelling workshop for kids, teens, and adults, as well as a drawing competition organized by the Shashikala Foundation, bringing together creativity and imagination in a joyful atmosphere. The drawing competition, organized by the Shashikala Foundation, celebrated creativity and imagination with participants across three age groups. Winners included ages 6-9, the theme was “The Garden of Butterflies”: Shruti Movva, Viva Pol, Ishi Gadela; ages 10-13, the theme was “My Favorite Character.”: Janhvi Naidu, Aakriti Singh, Jayaditya Shinde; Ages 14-18, the theme was “Many Cultures, One Country.”: Avani Patil, Yogindra Gaidhan & Arya Soni.

Adding to the atmosphere was a spread of Indian delicacies offered through numerous food stalls, filling the venue with aromas of samosas, dosas, biryanis, and sweets that transported attendees straight to the streets of India. Shopping and vendor exhibits lined the hallways, offering jewelry, clothing, crafts, and services, turning the venue into a vibrant Indian bazaar where cultural pride met community commerce.

India American Scholarship Fund awards led by Dr. Paddy Sharma, Kris Gadde, Raghava Tadavarti, and Ganesh Sowdayya. Scholarships were presented to deserving students in recognition of their academic excellence and community service. Merit-based $1000 Scholarships awardees: Ananya Sai Tadepalli, Medha Krishna, Sakethram Ramakrishnan, Harith Dhinakaran, Tania Titu; Need-based $1500 Scholarships awardees: Eeshani Malkar, Ashnaz Hirani, Aaren Mathew Dhibu Netto, Pranavi Suthari, Akshaya Sharma; Honorary Mentions: Ayushi H Kulkarni, Anoushka Ananya Naik, Prateek Hanumappanahalli, Tejas Vinod Kadadi & Lochana Janardhanan.

As the day unfolded with programs that spanned health, culture, education, and fellowship, the Festival of India 2025 became not just an event but a living testimony to the spirit of community. Ani Agnihotri, IACA Board Member, captured this spirit of continuity, reflecting, “This year, FOI hosted more than 4000 guests during the day and offered them a myriad of activities to participate in. I am honored to be with FOI since its inception in 1997. The mission and activities of IACA are becoming increasingly important in the current political and geo-political scenarios and we plan to grow from strength to strength.”

IACA President Dhananjay Gupta added a poetic metaphor, “IACA brought people of all walks of life together at Festival of India. FOI becomes like a sea where all the different rivers submerge themselves and become one identity. So many languages, cultures, and regions joined together and speak ‘saare jahan se accha, Hindustan hamara.’”

Chairman of the Board, Kaushal Tripathi, expressed gratitude for the dedicated organizing team, saying, “Yes, another Festival of India is in the books. Organizing this festival at a venue like Gas South Convention Center is no easy feat. Only IACA could do it despite the challenges the venue brings for serving food. FOI is an Atlanta iconic event now. Thanks to all our sponsors, volunteers and  FOI team.”

“As Media Director and Souvenir In charge, I am proud to highlight the history of IACA and the Festival of India, an iconic tradition that continues to celebrate heritage, foster community, and inspire future generations,” Jyothsna Hegde expressed.

Sponsors of the event included GOLD: Delta, Shankar Subramanian, SILVER: Atlanta Partners Association, Platinum North America, BRONZE: Bandana & Dhananjay Gupta, Sushma & Vishwanath Ganti, DONORS: Jaipur Living, TR Reddy, Dr. Rani Reddy Neelam & Kaushal Tripathi, MindQuest, ITServe Alliance, GAPI, and Care Access.

As the final performances filled the hall with rhythm and color, the Festival of India 2025 stood as more than a cultural gathering. It was a sea where rivers of languages, traditions, and generations flowed together, creating a shared identity and affirming the enduring bond between India and America.

Photo Credits
Kailas Pramod: https://photoxperts.pixieset.com/29thannualfestivalofindia/
Renuka Molleti: https://lightroom.adobe.com/shares/c5599c65793843159ff060e9a25499b9
Anirudh Dhannayak

– Jyothsna Hegde