‘Multi-cultural function with great food’
Indo-Canadian Association of P.E.I. to hold Diwali dinner and charity fundraiser, Sunday, Nov. 5
The Indo-Canadian Association of P.E.I. wants to make Prince Edward Islanders aware of two things.
The group has a new executive consisting of Shiv Singh, president, Sujata Saha, vicepresident and Hari Pulipati, secretary/treasurer.
And these executive members are busy planning activities for the upcoming year.
The first event is the Diwali dinner and charity fundraiser, set for Sunday, Nov. 5 at the APM Centre in Cornwall, 6-9 p.m. Funds raised will be donated to the Queen Elizabeth
Hospital.
“It’s in keeping with the festival that’s celebrated all across India. It’s a multi-cultural function with great food,” says Saha, adding the menu includes butter chicken, curry served with Naan bread and other popular dishes.
Besides promoting Indian culture, members wish to serve others.
Founded by Umesh Gupta in 1974, the association has been running for 43 years. In the early days, members met at Spring Park United Church or Charlottetown Rural High School. For the past 20 years, meetings have taken place at Sherwood Recreation Centre on Maple Avenue in Charlottetown. Starting out with 28, the membership has grown to 40 members.
“The main purpose of our organization is to help south Asian people who are coming to
“It’s in keeping with the festival that’s celebrated all across India. It’s a multi-cultural function with great food.” Sujata Saha
the Island. We help them settle. We drive them around. We help them acquire the basic stuff (for survival),” says Singh.
“Our other goal is to let Canadians, and especially Islanders, know about Indian culture. So we can understand each other better.”