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India

India is a large and diverse country of over one billion people and home to some of the oldest culture and history on earth. It is a fascinating land offering arid desert, tropical forests and magnificent snowy mountain ranges. The majority of its one billion people live in villages scattered throughout the country. The capital city of India is New Delhi while the commercial hub of the nation is Bombay.  Until 1947, the British governed India and their rule was universally known as “The British Raj”. When India gained independence in August 1947, part of the country was split into what is now known as Pakistan.  The official language of India is Hindi, although English is the language of business and is spoken in all major cities and increasingly even in rural areas.  The Indian education system is renowned throughout the world and its prestigious Institutes of Technology for higher education are second to none, providing some of the finest education on the globe.

India is currently the fourth largest economy in the world and still growing rapidly.

Some facts about India:

·         It is home to the biggest film industry in the world

·         It is generally acknowledged as completing the number system by identifying the zero

·         Chess was invented in India, as a military style strategy game

·         Yoga, homeopathy and ayurvedic medicine all have their origins in India

Indians in Iowa

The Indian community has had a presence in Des Moines since 1973. At that time, about seven to eight families of Indian origin were known to each other. The Indo-American Association of Iowa is said to have originated in Union Park in Des Moines where the families met for a picnic in October 1973. The main objective of this organization was to have some social interaction among the families and to provide an opportunity for their young children to learn about their cultural background and give expression to their talents. The association had a welcoming committee for Asian Indian newcomers and also provided help to them as they settled in. Initially, the organization was called the Indo American association of Des Moines. Now of course, it is called the Indo American Association of Iowa, representing Indians from cities around Des Moines.

The goals of the association are to promote India and its heritage and to provide social interactions and community events. The biggest annual celebration we have is around November, typically celebrating Diwali, although we take pride in being a secular organization and celebrate all the major Indian holidays.

 

Some statistic:

No. Of Indian Americans in Iowa                   6700 (2002 census)

Polk County                                                     1900 (2002 census)

Greater Des Moines area                               1000 (2002 census)

 

Indian Americans are involved in various professional fields: there are approximately 100 physicians in the Des Moines Metropolitan area and we have about 50-60 professors at ISU and Drake.  Pioneer employs about 20-25 scientists of Indian origin. We have about 30-40 employees in State and Federal government and about 5-10 motel owners in this area.

 

Functions organized by the Indo American Association are:A spring Festival in March-April, with an outside entertainer. An outdoor picnic at one of our city parks. In the last few years we have arranged cricket match at these picnics ladies evening for our ladies to get together without husbands and children.Diwali function in October-November Year end Christmas party in December New & hit Indian movies

                            

During the Diwali and spring festival, we have some items by local talent and also try to invite an Indian musical group to come (from Chicago or Kansas City) and entertain us.

We are participating in the Asian Heritage Festival organized by the Asian Alliance

We have volunteered to participate in the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation Walkathon

There are some discussions on India and Indian Culture for the Youth organized during some years.

 

We encourage you to learn more about the Indian community in Iowa and about India.

Visit our web site at WWW.IAAIOWA.ORG

 

Indo-American Association of Iowa,

PO Box 283,

Johnston, IA. 50131                                                                Email: IAAI3@Yahoo.Com