Asian Indians celebrate Diwali at Cleveland City Hill

Dr. Chittaranjan Jain and Asim Datta of FICA

FICA, Cleveland and Cleveland Community Relations Board host Asian Indian Festival Diwali at Cleveland City Hall

Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson gave brief remarks at the Asian Indian Festival of Lights celebration held in the Cleveland City Hall Rotunda.  Diwali is one of the biggest festivals of Hindu Asian Indians in Cleveland and Akron.  It is celebrated with great enthusiasm and happiness in Cleveland and Akron areas in Northeast Ohio.

During this Asian Indian festival, Hindus worship their Goddess Lakshmi. This event celebrates the rich cultural heritage and traditions of one of Cleveland’s many diverse communities, and included music, dance and delicious cuisine.

The members of the Federation of India Community Association of Northeast Ohio FICA and the Cleveland community, particularly Asian Indians, enjoyed a social evening filled with cultural and educational activities.

Hira Rane, Michael Sreshta and Venky Venkatesh at Cleveland City Hall

Harsha Rane at Cleveland City Hall

Kalyani Veturi, Kuchipudi dancer at Cleveland City Hall

Sri Pasumarthy Sreekrishna, Asian Indian Flute player

Mayor Frank Jackson at Diwali function

Geeta Limaye on violin at diwali at Cleveland City Hall

FICA is one of the many community organization representing Asian Indians in Northeast Ohio.  Community Relations Board is an outfit of City of Cleveland.  Its members represent Cleveland's racially, ethnically, and religiously diverse population. Members include Mayor Frank G. Jackson and Reverend. Dr. Charles Lucas.  Blaine Griffin is the director of the Community Relations Board.

The Asian American outreach contact is Le Nguyen 216-664-2319.  Youth  outreach contacts are James Box and Pastor Grady Stevenson.  Hispanic liaison are Lucy Torres and Theasha Dainely at 216-664-6248.

Photo credit: Ruggero Fatica; URL of media gallery City of Cleveland dated Nov 8, 2013: http://www.cleveland-oh.gov/CityofCleveland/Home/media-gallery/slideshow?id=1400
 

Sujata Emani contests in Strongsville Schools Board of Education Elections

Sujata Emani daughter of braveheart Vijaya Lakshmi Emani contested to become a member of the Strongsville School Board of Education along with Duke Evans, George Grozan and Jennifer Sinisgalli during election held on November 5, 2013. 

Strongsville Post reported that Dr. Sujata Emani, a graduate of Strongsville High School, holds a Ph.D. in biochemistry from the University of California, San Diego.  Here she worked with a Nobel laureate.

Here is the tally of the votes:

Sujata Emani     1,803
Duke Evans     5,761
George Grozan     4,817
Jennifer Sinisgalli     3,244

Duke Evans and George Grozan will be the new members of Strongsville Board of Education. 

Asian American non-profit of Akron and Cleveland gets 775k

Congressman Tim Ryan announced that a $775,000 grant to the Asian Service in Action, Inc. (ASIA), a non-profit organization from Akron and Cleveland that works to empower and advocate for Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders.

Congressman Tim Ryan: Grant to Asian Services in Action
Cleveland and Akron

The money will be used by Asian Service in Action (ASIA) to provide culturally and linguistically appropriate information and services, including comprehensive care across all life cycles, including primary care, OB/GYN, pediatrics, geriatrics, preventive dental, diagnostic laboratory and x-ray, pharmacy, and emergency medical services. 

The Asian Service Action Inc. grant was awarded by the Department of Health & Human Services Division of Grants Management Operations.

Akron Office of Asia Service in Action is at 730 Carroll Street, Akron, OH 44304 and Cleveland Office of Asian Service in Action is at 3631 Perkins Ave., Ste. 2A-W, Cleveland, OH 44114 (t) 216-881-0330