Indian orgs offer community

A large and diverse Indian community exists at Tech, but with so many ethnic and cultural communities on campus, what makes the Indian one stand out?

"[Indian] culture is different because it is a fusion of the American culture that we have been educated in and the Indian culture in which our parents grew up...[this] is a reflection of how connected the world has become," said Pulin Patel, a second-year Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering student.

Many Indian organizations on campus work to promote and raise awareness about Indian culture by hosting a variety of events. These organizations also assist Indian students in connecting with their cultural roots and socializing with fellow Indian students.

Some cultural events that India Club, the largest cultural organization on campus, annually organizes and sponsors include the following: Raas Garba, a Hindu festival dance; Diwali dinner, which celebrates Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights; Diwali Puja, a group prayer; and the Holi show, which celebrates Holi, the Hindu Festival of Colors.

Shweta Natarajan, a second-year Mechanical Engineering student, said she particularly enjoyed Raas Garba because "it's the [India Club] event where the largest number of people participate, especially people from different communities."

Additional social events planned by the India Club throughout the year include cricket match viewings (a popular sport among Indians) and events coordinated with the Pakistani and Bangladeshi organizations on campus.

Community service activities that India Club hosts range from the annual on-campus Vibha walk to a recent project coordinated with Child Relief and You Atlanta, a nonprofit that aids underprivileged children around the world.

The organization also participates in traditional on-campus community activities such as TEAM Buzz and Tech Beautification Day.

In addition, India Club has decided to commemorate the memory of Mahatma Gandhi by participating in a Be the Change campaign, a campus-wide event that will be held this weekend and involves India Club chapters from Emory and GSU.

Varun Maniar, a third-year Computer Engineering major and co-president of India Club, said that "India Club really caters to everyone that is part of it-there are a wide variety of events for participants to choose from. Being the largest cultural organization on campus, your social circle definitely expands by becoming a member."

Tech also offers opportunities for students of Indian heritage and those interested in Indian culture to take part in performance events.

Aarohi, an on-campus Indian Classical Music and Arts Society, sponsors annual classical Indian musical and dance events, such as the upcoming concert with professional guest artists this Friday, Oct. 6.

Aarohi began two years ago as a low-scale organization to encourage awareness of Indian classical music and has slowly expanded.

Tanvi Ratna, a third-year Industrial Engineering major and vice president of Aarohi, said that "Aarohi is a unique organization because it sets up a platform for students with an interest and/or training in Indian classical music and/or dance."

Badri Vellambi, the president of Aarohi, said he is "extremely eager for new members [to join Aarohi] and [the organization] is willing to showcase students [in their programs]."

Additionally, Keshav Attrey, Aarohi's event coordinator, said that "the organization fills a gap" and "creates an Indian classical music scene [on campus]."

According to Attrey, Aarohi's vision is to bring together students with backgrounds in Indian classical music and give them opportunities to perform and create music together.

Indian fraternities and sororities also play a large part in the socialization of many Indian students, while the Hindu Students Council promotes awareness of Hindu culture and religion on campus.

Through these organizations, Tech helps Indian students find a balance between Indian and American cultures and thus gain the best from both worlds.

"If you can find a balance between your family and friends (both within your culture and otherwise), you'll feel more comfortable with yourself knowing that you contribute to both communities," said Shruti Senapati, a second-year Biomedical Engineering major.