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Indian Festival Planned

Indian Festival at Millersville will highlight diversity and internationalism.

Work is already underway for the first “Namaste.” Millersville University will hold “Namaste” this fall to share South Asian culture and heritage with the community.  “Namaste” – an Indian cultural experience is planned for September and is the brainchild of Dr. Nazli Hardy, computer science, who is originally from Bangladesh and grew up in Zimbabwe.

The event will be held on September 12, 2015 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the Quad and in the Student Memorial Center. It is open to the community and will feature Indian cuisine from several Indian vendors, Indian dances, face painting, crafts, a showcase of Indian clothing and other events. Campus organizations, faculty, staff and students, are encouraged to participate in the event and immerse themselves in Indian culture.

Millersville is unfolding its Bold Path, the new strategic plan for the University. One of the goals of that plan is to increase campus diversity with an additional 200 international students.  “Namaste” will be a way to incorporate internationalism at Millersville in a fun, meaningful way.

“The world is where you live and work.  I live and work in Millersville. We are raising our children in Millersville.  So I am very invested in seeing Millersville University as a center of cultural growth, as we continue to welcome new students, local, regional, international,” said Hardy.  “It’s exciting to think of Millersville University as a connection point in the region for cultural appreciation and diversity, and I hope this “Namaste” will become an annual event at Millersville University.  What is particularly encouraging is the support and excitement I have received from both the University and Community.”

Hardy is working with the president of the Indian Organization of Lancaster, Deepa Balepur, who has organized several cultural events, for example, “UTSAV”, an Indian arts festival.  “Namaste” will be a less formal version of the successful “UTSAV” festival held at the Ware Center in Lancaster.

In the United States, South Asians are the fastest growing community of all major ethnic groups. The group is also rapidly growing in Lancaster County and as the community is growing, the festivities surrounding the culture are rising at Millersville.

Nazli Hardy, representingMillersvilleUniversity, PCCDI and CSIL, and Deepa Balepur, representing IOLC, are co-chairs of this event. They will have the help of Millersville faculty, staff, students and community members to ensure the success of the event.

Please RSVP at admin@iolcpa.org with the number of individuals attending. Walk-ins are welcome, but prior registration is preferred. The event will be held rain or shine.

 

One reply on “Indian Festival Planned”

Excited for the event. Looking forward to both culture/art and biriyani!

Yasir
MU Alumni/International student from India

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