Date: Saturday, August 7, 2004, Wasserman Park, Merrimack NH

IANH hosted its annual picnic on Saturday August 7, 2004 at Wasserman Park in Merrimack. Over fifty families enjoyed the event that featured mouth watering dishes from our homes, socializing, and games. Several new families who recently moved to NH met with others. 

Following lunch, all attendees were introduced to each other at the gathering. Prithvi Kumar, IANH President introduced IANH and its activities to the audience. IANH activities include a number of areas from Cultural entertainment to Public Service. Himanshu Desai, Chair Public Relations Committee spoke about the upcoming town meeting scheduled for September 18.  Himanshu also stressed the need for the community to unite behind an organization in order to make the Law Makers attend our community needs.  

Siddhartha Das, an IANH member spoke about his candidacy for NH State House of Representatives. Sid filed his candidacy in NH House of Representatives to represent Pelham District. Sid is the first IANH member to run for Public Office. Sid will be a handful of Indian Americans in Politics if elected. He spoke about his vision and requested the audience to support his campaign. He stated that his vision is to bridge the gap between the Indian community and various immigrant groups. Thus, our community members will share our values with others.

 Gunjan Kuthiala  our newest member writes about the picnic.

 7th Aug'04 IANH picnic at Wasserman Park in Merrimack was one among the few best days, I have spent ever since I have come to United States. United States- a country that is a 'dream come true' world for many but for me living here, had become almost near to bearing the punishment of "Kala Pani" jail. I am a simple ordinary 22-year-old Indian girl from a small city of India. I get happiness from simple things like sharing myself or talking to people who can spend little time for me by listening to my emotions. After I had got married on 29th April this year, I had come to this country along with my husband. I felt aloof and alone here, as I had nobody to talk to except Amit-my husband.

I got information about IANH picnic from an Indian ladies Pot luck lunch group that I had joined two weeks back. We became member of IANH on the picnic day and ever since I have joined this pot lunch group and IANH, I am feeling so much contented with respect to  emotions as now I have got friends and people to talk to.

Moreover, at least now few people nearby know that there is somebody with the name 'Gunjan' living in this country, otherwise I had almost lost my individuality and my subjective recognition. I was so much excited to see numerous Indian people on the picnic day's morning, but I was hesitant also. We received extremely warm welcome at the picnic and really for few hours I had felt being in India among my own people. The atmosphere in the picnic was pretty casual. Everybody took the initiative to introduce themselves to
me. I had felt special and so much Indian after a long time. I am glad to be a part of IANH and also I am thankful to all IANH members for boosting me with the intangible support of emotions.