On a hot summer afternoon in May, 1981, Inder Singh called a handful of people together at the India Tourist office in Los Angeles to explore the possibility of celebrating India’s Independence Day, with the cooperation of all existing organizations of Indians in greater Los Angeles area. This was followed by several weekly sessions attended by representatives from different groups. A team of diehard individuals emerged, who were determined to celebrate the event on a scale larger than it was ever done before. This group, headed by Inder Singh, approached the Los Angeles County and successfully obtained assistance in terms of the county facilities to organize the function.

Independence Day Celebrations

The hard work of this team culminated in a gigantic all-day festival on 15th of August, 1981. An estimated 5 thousand Indians settled in Los Angeles area, turned out to attend the event, which continued up to midnight. The festivities provided something for everyone.

Throughout the day, there were Sari-wrapping and turban tying demonstrations, live music, and a fabulous variety entertainment program, presented first by children and then by adults. Several celebrities such as Kabir Bedi, Zubin Mehta and Ashoke Amritraj could be seen mixing freely with the crowd, which represented people from almost every part of India. Never before did so many Indians from different regions got together at the same site.