March 29, 2024

The Indian community in the city will launch the Indian Day on Oct. 19 with a medical, bloodletting, gift-giving, and a cultural show.

Oct. 19 this year and every year thereafter has been declared as Indian Day in the City of Baguio by virtue of Resolution 172, s. 2019 passed during the previous city council and approved by then Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan.

The festivities will be held at the PFVR Youth Center along Military Cut-off starting at 9 a.m.

Cultural presentations from various Indian communities all over the country, food tasting, medical mission, gift giving and yoga demonstrations will be featured in the whole day event.

Grocery items would be given to 300 pre-screened families. A team organized by Dr. Willy Occidental of the Rotary Club of Downtown Session will provide checkups and medicines while visitors and dignitaries invited, including Rep. Mark Go, Mayor Benjamin Magalong, and other city officials, would have a taste of Indian cuisine and witness entertainmentfrom Indian cultural dancers invited from Manila.

The celebration is spearheaded by the Baguio Indian Temple Inc. led by Paul Lalwanim Sant Nirankari, the Charitable Foundation led by Charlie Chandnani, the Rotary Club of Downtown Session headed by Manoj Tank, the Philippine Red Cross Baguio City Chapter, and Lafayette Luxury Suites.

Former councilor Edgar Avila, who authored Resolution 172-2019, said the City of Baguio has long been the home of Indians who have migrated from their homeland to make Baguio their permanent home. They put upmany well-known Indian businesses such as Valirams, Bombay Bazaar, and Fil-Indian Department Store.

He said they not only invested and did business but engaged themselves in community service. Among the notable contributors was Tulsiram Sharma Bheromulls Department Store, in Session Road, who was active in Boy Scouts of the PhilippinesBaguio.

He said very much like Filipinos, Indians are a very charitable people. Numerous Indian organizations conduct philanthropic activities not only in Baguio but in the entire country, serving thousands of poor families for many years now through their social and civic programs such as feeding beggars, scholarships for indigent students, giving of free reading glasses, free artificial legs or limbs, and free wheelchairs. 

The former councilor noted that Indians also have a very rich culture and their cuisine is worth embracing. “It is apparent that the socio-economic and civic ties we have with Indians are here to stay, considering that most have already inter-marriages with Filipinos it is about time that we welcome and recognize their presence & contribution in the community.”– Press release