The India Association of New Hampshire organized its annual picnic on Sat Aug 18 at the Kingston State Park in Greenfield New Hampshire.

Association members from different parts of the state, including the seacoast areas, attended the event. Each family brought in a food item towards the picnic lunch. The picnickers busied themselves with a variety of games and entertainment, like cricket and badminton and enjoyed a wonderful lunch.

The event also doubled as a general body meeting. Tej Dhakar, secretary of the association, provided the welcome address. Prithvi Kumar, president of the association dwelt on the general scope of the association’s activities. George Bruno, a life member of the association was the keynote speaker who addressed the audience on India’s progress made during the last six decades after independence.

Bruno cited some examples of the progress made by India when it became a free nation from the British colony emerging to be one of the world’s strongest leaders in economic and political power. He attributed India’s success largely due to the involvement of Indians abroad in providing the necessary financial resources and intellectual help. Bruno continued his praise for the association’s growth and attributed it to the hard work and leadership of the member's involved. He referred to the service to the community through programs in public service, education, and cultural activities. He mentioned that IANH demonstrated leadership and set standards for other non-profit organizations in the region who emulated these principles. He also requested everyone to participate in the upcoming immigration clinic and send questions on immigration matters to be published in the newsletter. Bruno concluded his speech by requesting everyone to get involved in the New Hampshire state Presidential Primary Elections scheduled for January 8.

Barinder Ahluwalia, Usha Dwaraknath, Prasad Kalyanapuu, and Pratheek Kalyanapu, association committee members, briefed the audience about the progress in their respective committees. Ms. Ahluwalia mentioned about the lunch and dinner service activities at Nashua and Manchester soup kitchens in the past year, progress made in youth group activities and the close work with the Massachusetts-based non-profit Saheli on family issues. Ms. Dwarkanath praised the parents for promoting the Indian fine arts through participation in the various cultural events. She appealed everyone to be proud of their cultural identity and exhibit their skills. She mentioned briefly about the preparations for the upcoming Diwali festival.

Prasad gave an account on the state of the association and provided a state of the fiscal standing by thanking everyone for their patronage. He also mentioned about the frugal fiscal management which enabled the association to build a healthy cash reserve. Pratheek briefed the audience on the progress made in youth group activities. He mentioned about the involvement of association youth group members in providing help at the soup kitchen, education bee, and further cultural functions. Pratheek concluded his report by mentioning the fun activities at the bowling alley and send off party to Asish Andhavarapu, former youth group coordinator.