IAL Gears Up for 9th India Day Celebration

The Indian Association Luxembourg (IAL) is gearing up for its ninth India Day celebration, which is taking place in Place Guillaume II in Luxembourg-Ville on Sunday 15 September 2024, starting at 11:00.

Among those present at this year's India Day will be Saurabh Kumar, Ambassador of India to the EU, Belgium and Luxembourg, and his wife, along with other officials from the Embassy of India (Brussels), who will also have a stand in the square.

Chronicle.lu sat down with Sahil Goel, IAL President since October 2023, to learn more about what visitors can expect at this festive event, as well as what sort of planning has gone into the celebration.

Chronicle.lu: This is the first IAL India Day celebration under your presidency. What was important for you to include and/or change from previous years?

Sahil Goel: The main focus this year is to build on the remarkable work done over the past eight editions by the former president Mr Selva [Alagumalai] and our team. We have maintained many core elements, but also introduced new activities and enhanced experiences to reflect the vibrant diversity of Indian culture and to engage a broader audience in Luxembourg.

Chronicle.lu: How do organisations and/or individuals get involved in the event? Does IAL typically approach potential participants/stallholders or perhaps launch a call for participants?

Sahil Goel: IAL's Executive Committee invited participation through a Google form for cultural performances and stall setups. This invitation was shared across IAL's communication channels. After receiving submissions, the team reached out individually to discuss further details and make necessary arrangements to ensure a seamless and inclusive event.

Chronicle.lu: Do you rely solely on IAL members or also volunteers to help put the event together? How many people are involved in the organisation of this year's event?

Sahil Goel: We rely primarily on the IAL Executive (9) and Working (15) Committees to handle organisational tasks, but many others contribute. In total, participants include food and craft stallholders, cultural performers and volunteers. Together, they help ensure that India Day is a true reflection of the community spirit, giving everyone a sense of belonging and sharing the essence of India with Luxembourg. We have also hired few paid helpers to assist with some additional tasks.

Chronicle.lu: Is registration to the event obligatory or optional but desired for organisational purposes?

Sahil Goel: Registration is optional but encouraged. It helps us manage logistics and keeps participants informed about future IAL events. Those who register will receive updates and communications directly from the IAL team.

Chronicle.lu: What do you hope this year's event will achieve, particularly from a community perspective?

Sahil Goel: We aim for a sense of togetherness, active participation and community spirit. We want attendees to share their skills, talents and cultural pride, while creating lasting memories through the celebration of Indian culture and the broader Indian diaspora's connection to Luxembourg.

Chronicle.lu: Next year will be the 10th anniversary edition of India Day - it may be a bit early for this question, but do you already hope for/foresee an even bigger event for next year?

Sahil Goel: While next year's 10th anniversary is likely to be held at the same venue, we are considering ways to expand and further enhance the experience. We are excited to make the 10th edition a memorable celebration of the rich history and success of India Day.

Programme

Sixteen stands plus a stage will be set up in Place Guillaume II for the occasion. These include Indian Embassy and IAL information stands, but also dedicated areas for Indian music, games, food and drinks, henna (with proceeds going to the Aide à l'Enfance de l'Inde et du Népal (AEIN) charity) and a photobooth.

Performances are taking place between 11:00 and 14:20 and include Indian fusion music, Bengal, Kathak and Bollywood songs and dances, DHOL performances, as well as instrumental and semi-classical music, among others.

Visitors can also check out the "Gangsta da Canca" stand, set up in collaboration with Fondation Cancer Luxembourg and ThinkPink, with the aim of raising awareness about cancer. Nimkee Gupta, Nupur Mittal and Ankush Mukherjee will be available from 12:00 (noon) to 14:00 to encourage discussions on the increasing number of early onset cancers and how to manage the risks through lifestyle changes. As the stallholders explained, "the idea is to talk about the status of cancer in Luxembourg and India". With September being Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, they will also talk about the rising numbers for this specific cancer.