About us
Let's take a close look at India Link's history. In the seventies and eighties, a select number of families used to mutually organize the Diwali functions in a basement or a small rented facility. Gradually, the number of families grew and by the early nineties, we began to become more structured and formal. At the end of each Diwali season, a working committee was elected to carry out the following year's planning. Executive members of each committee devotedly held numerous meetings to prepare for the next Diwali.
In 1994, India Link became a formal association of our community. In the subsequent years it adopted a constitution and acquired a Michigan Non-Profit Organization status. Without the persistence and cumulative efforts from all of the active members in the community, India Link wouldn?t be what it is today. With a number of rising developments in the community, we are ever expanding our possibilities. The Hindu and Sikh communities have successfully established a Hindu Temple and a Sikh Gurdwara, respectively. Because of our unification and harmony, our community is showing progress on many levels, now more than ever.
1. In 1994, the year of its inception, India Link published a magazine in its current format and ever since, the publication of the India Link magazine has become an annual process. The year 2010 marks the 16th anniversary of the India Link Magazine.
2. In 1999, India Link celebrated the third century of Baisakhi (Birth of Sikhism) on a very grand scale.
3. In early 2001, India Link was instrumental in raising substantial amount of funds for the relief of the Gujarat Earthquake victims.
4. In 2001, India Link established an official website: India-link.org.
5. The 2001 issue of India Link publication marked a special tribute to the victims of the September 11 tragedy.
6. In August 2003, India Link hosted a very successful reception to welcome the crew of the Indian Naval Ship INS Tarangini ashore West Michigan. The attendance was overwhelming, as a large portion of the community came together to celebrate this event.
7. In 2004, India Link and its volunteers raised a substantial amount of money to help fund a food drive for the God?s Kitchen in Grand Rapids.
8. In 2005, India Link mobilized a relief fund drive for the Tsunami Disaster to provide help to the victims and their families suffering in the affected areas in India.
9. In 2005, India Link Board collectively took a decision to give a face lift to the celebrations and to organize the Diwali Mela as a Cultural event packed with masti, hulchul, & dhoom. Other events in the community include an annual Gujarati Dance, Garba, which is run by select members of the community as well as the celebration of Baisakhi in April every year, organized by the local Punjabi Cultural Association. Both events are marvelously organized and always have a great turnout.
In 2005, India Link's elected Board consists of 18 active members. The hard work and dedication put in by our community is very evident by the success of our functions, and it goes without saying that we have a lot to be thankful for. As we strive for perfection and as there is always a room for improvement, we are always looking forward to a supply of your fresh and valuable ideas, opinions and thoughts. With the advancements in the methods of communication and enhancement of the knowledge base, the ventures like publishing the "India Link Magazine" has become relatively easier to handle. However, projects of this nature would not be possible without a comprehensive teamwork. There is no "I" in the team.
In the years 2006, 2007 and 2008, India Link welcomed 100s of new families in Western Michigan, as they became a part of India Link festivities in addition to the devotion of their time and efforts in routinely attending the religious programs at the new Temple, Gurdwara and participation in regional festivals of India, such as Baisakhi, Pongal and Durga Pooja etc. We at India Link would like to extend our deepest appreciations to the organizers of these events for their valuable time, energy and efforts in planning and delivering such quality programs to the members of our community.
The Diwali programs organized by India Link during the past few years have been well received, well attended as they have offered a magnificent entertainment value to our community. The summer picnic of 2007 organized by India Link and held at Richmond Park in Grandville turned out to be a huge success and another feather in the India Link hat for successfully organizing events of this nature. The picnic created many perfect moments for our memories.
In January 2008, India Link organized a Candle Light Vigil at the downtown campus of Grand Valley State University to pay a tribute to the victims of the November 26, 2007 heinous terrorist attacks in Mumbai. This event was attended by many prominent members of our community. Sixteen years after it launch, the India Link Magazine in its current format, this publication has become a local institution. During our visits to the homes of our community members, we find that they proudly preserve & use this journal as a reference source. Year after year, this project becomes achievable only with the continued literary and financial support from within and outside our community. I am always at loss of word in expressing my gratitude for this unconditional support system.
As always, we would love to hear from you, the dear members of our community. Please feel free to send in your valuable ideas, suggestions and comments about India Link's activities. Our email address is Indialink2010@gmail.com.