GO TO SOURCE


FREMONT, CALIFORNIA, June 10, 2002: Some organizers of the annual Festival of India (India’s independence day) celebration in Fremont suggested that the city’s reluctance to grant a permit for this year’s event may reflect a hint of racial discrimination. But when the dust settled, it was pretty clear to both sides that the festival’s biggest problem was its own success. If the city approves the latest proposal, the Festival of India will be held again in the parking lot of Fremont’s Hall of Justice this year, but with some drastic changes. The festival will run for only one day instead of two. The second day’s events — cultural dances, a banquet and an appearance by Indian film star Amitabh Bachchan — will be held at the San Jose Convention Center, said festival sponsor Dr. Romesh Japra, president of the Federation of Indo-American Associations of the Bay Area. Since the August celebration began nine years ago, each festival has grown a little larger. But planning for the event, which attracts crowds as large as 70,000 people and is one of the largest Indian festivals in the United States, has not kept pace. The lack of a comprehensive plan loomed large on closing night last year when a poorly organized concert nearly caused a stampede. The concert fiasco was the last straw for many city officials, who had privately complained for years about the lack of planning for the increasingly popular festival. Organizers also didn’t understand — or honor — their permit’s requirement to close the festival by 9:00 p.m. Instead, much to the chagrin of nearby residents, they started the concert at 9:00 p.m. Despite the logistical problems and zero-tolerance policy adopted by the city, many Indian immigrants view Fremont as the center of life in the Bay Area’s Indian community. And the festival is a key staple of Indian culture brought to America. While the Festival of India, which features ethnic cuisine, dance, art and cultural exhibits, will remain in Fremont this year, there is little chance the festival will be held in the city next year unless a larger venue is selected.

Post Views: 567