The Asian Indians in Livingston
Who we are.... 1984 - 2009...
Founding residents (1984)
Bhargava, Anju Bhargava, Punam Mangalick, Pratima Modi, Daksha & Hasmukh Parekh, Vasanti and Malini Parikh, Jayu and Dilip Patel, Purnima and Jaydev Rao, Dr. Lakshmi - Gururaj Sama, Dr. Jay and Alka ================== Links to key Activities: MEMORIAL DAY PARADE Memorial Day 2007 & Invocation by a Vedantic Hindu Memorial Day1984
Other 2009 Activities -------------------------- Diwali 2008 Asian American Heritage Month-2008 =================== Glimpses of activitis in 1980's and 1990's Livingston Cultural Activities 1980s & 1990s
Other Links: |
Livingston is the home of a large Indian community, representative of India's multicultural diversity. "Asian Indians in Livingston", a community based civic participation effort was initiated in the early 1980s. (The Indians were classified as Asians in 1980, hence the name). For 25 years, it has functioned primarily with adhoc group of volunteers, to facilitate adaptation and integration into our new homeland. This year, 2009, marks the 25th anniversary of active participation in the Memorial Day Parade. Over the years, many Asian Indians have proactively contributed to Livingston's well-being and improved quality of life. In April 2008, some residents new to Livingston's civic participation joined Anju Bhargava in the "Asian Indians in Livingston" initiative. Collaboratively, a yahoo group "Ailiv" was created as a means of communication within the Indian community. Additional programs were organized beyond the recurring ones such as the Memorial Day Parade. The "Ailiv" moderators participated for the first time in Livingston's civic activities and were introduced to many township committees. As of June 16, 2009, building upon the foundation developed over the past 25 years, the moderators have now branched into a new web identity (under the same name) to communicate their new vision. In 2008, The Indian School was formed in Livingston as a separate identity and receives the support of the entire Indian community. During 2008-2009 The Indian School received technical guidance from HindiUSA and functioned under their not-for-profit status. In the upcoming 2009 - 2010 year it is associated with the World Hindi Foundation which is an international pioneer in the educational field. It is a matter of pride for all that Livingston's Indian community has many active volunteers and groups dedicated to serving the needs of the community through their diverse visions and niches. Leveraging the learning from civic and interfaith participation in Livingston, in 2009, Hindu American Seva Charities was formed as a collective initiative to mobilize talent and resources to address contemporary social services needs collaboratively, across the country. ========================================== EVENTS - 2009 - January 1, 2009 - Mayor swearing-in ceremony (Benediction) - January 26, 2009 - Martin Luther King Holiday The children from The Indian School participated for the first time. They made 150 cards for the soldiers in Iraq. They also painted and decorated over 150 placemats for senior citizens. - Multicultural Day Celebration - February 21st - April 19, 2009 Holi Picnic - May 25, 2009 - Memorial Day Parade - 25 years of articipation by Asian Indians in Livingston
========================================== Upcoming EVENTS - 2009 - Food Bank Drive - Walking Club - Sunday evenings ========================================== Examples of Community Activities: Township Committees:
2004 Memorial Day Parade
- Fourth of July festivities
- Interfaith dialogues and discussions. Hindu representation at Livingston's Interfaith Clergy Association - Obtained 1st Asian American Heritage proclamation in May 1999
- Community Diwali celebrations - Donated Indian history/language books to Livingston Library - Served on the Boards of Livingston Symphony, YMCA and Arts Council. - Worked with League of Women Voters, AAUW, Lions and Rotary Club. Board of Education - Indian History education for Livingston Social Studies teachers - Indian culture (dance, music) events in schools and library
========================================== 2008 EVENTS: Ailiv is proud to commence 2008 with
- Support Livingston's The Indian School to teach Hindi with HindiUSA - Walk aroung the oval - July 26th at 7:30 p.m. August 6th- Home-owner property assessment Q&A forum with the Township (August 6th at 8:00 p.m. - Hillside Senior Center). Livingston Revaluation information
- September 4th - Free Music and Dance Program by Handicapped Girls of Manthan. Contact Daksha Modi for details. - Septeber 6th - Sita Sings The Blues Movie screening of "Sita sings the Blues" on September 6th at 6:00 p.m. in the Livingston Library, . (Reena Shah an accomplished actress, daughter of Dr. Dharamsi and Laxmi Shah, grew up in Livingston, and is the voice of Sita
- Summer picnic (September 20th) October 1 Gandhi Jayanti Celebrations in October - Supported Livingston's CHOW - Community Hunger Outreach Project. Donated peanut butter jars. - Diwali celebration - November 8th 2008 November 23 - Interfaith Thanksgiving November 30 - Candle/flashlight Prayer vigil for Mumbai Terror Victims |
