Rain couldn’t dampen plans to raise the Indian flag in downtown Aurora Thursday to celebrate Indian Independence Day.
A celebration heavy in song and dancing recognized the 78th year of India’s independence from British rule.
The celebration packed the lobby of North Island Center before adjourning outside to raise the flag in One Aurora Plaza, where flag-raisings have become a common way to recognize different cultures and communities within the city.
Aurora’s Indian population has grown into a significant community, as evidenced by the fact Aurora has one of the few Indian-American elected officials in the entire state. Ald. Shweta Baid, 10th Ward, was the first Indian-American elected to the Aurora City Council.
“America and India have so much in common, but they also are unique,” Baid said. “America is the oldest democracy, India is the biggest.”
She and her husband, Vikram Baid, received a surprise during the festivities when city officials honored Vikram with a Light and Excellence Award, which the city gives out to members of Aurora’s Indian community each year.
Vikram Baid, an IT and business leader who consults on IT solutions for business, has become known for his work in the Indian community, as well as working to support his wife.
“You all know how hard Vikram works,” said Clayton Muhammad, chief communications officer and a senior adviser to Mayor Richard Irvin. “You see him at every event.”
Shweta Baid received a Light and Excellence Award two years ago, and Vikram admitted as his name was announced this year that he was “really, really surprised today.”
“She (Shweta) is the hard-working side,” he said. “I’m just the follow-up.”
Other Light and Excellence Award winners were: Ghousia Wajid, a business leader and non-profit volunteer who is also a member of the city’s Indian Advisory and Outreach Advisory Commission; Leela Karamuri, director of cyber and technology risk at the city of Aurora; and Sensei N Dhawan, a certified karate coach who established the Chicago Karate Institute and moved it to downtown Aurora in 2021.
Karamuri, when accepting her award, spoke to the spirit of diversity, saying her parents taught her “to be part of any community, wherever you are.”
Dancing entertainment for the day came from Team Ghunguru, of Chicago, and Shirlzar Dance Company of Aurora, started by two former Bollywood dance instructors.
The Maharastra Mandal Dhol Tasha, of Chicago, used the dhol – the big drum – and the tasha – the small drum – to entertain after the flag was raised.
slord@tribpub.com
