Defending democratic values
India and the U.S. must continue to celebrate the democratic values we hold dear because they can’t be taken for granted, said San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan. He was speaking on Wednesday at a flag-raising event on Aug. 16 at the San Jose City Hall Rotunda, to mark India’s 76th year of Independence. The event was hosted by San Jose District 10 Councilmember Arjun Batra, District 8 Council Member Domingo Candelas, and the Association of Indo-Americans and attended by over 150 people.
Recalling Indians who died in pursuit of India’s independence, Mayor Mahan spoke of the special relationship between India, the world’s largest democracy, and the U.S., the world’s oldest. Mahan thanked the crowd for celebrating “those dearest values that we all hold in common, and need to continue to celebrate because we can’t take them for granted.”
District 8 Councilmember Domingo Candelas said that while the British colonial rule in India may have led to the economic depletion of its resources, “India has never let go of the rich morals, culture, and heritage”.
“There are 400,000 Asians right here in the City of San Jose and our voice is not being heard,” said District 7 Councilmember Bien Doan. “So I am here. And I’m proud to stand next to Councilmember Batra. And I hope that you continue to support him,” he said, emphasizing that the voices of the Indian and Asian communities need to be heard.
The offices of Assemblymember Ash Kalra and Senator Dave Cortese awarded Certificates of Recognition.
Members of the Association of Indo Americans pose for a photo with San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan (center). Photo: Sree Sripathy for India Currents/CatchLight Local. 
San José Mayor Matt Mahan and Indian Consul General of San Francisco Dr. T.V. Nagendra Prasad sit together. Photo: Sree Sripathy for India Currents/CatchLight Local. 
Dancers from the Shalini Saxena Dance Academy perform kathak.Photo: Sree Sripathy for India Currents/CatchLight Local. 
A dancer from the Shalini Saxena Dance Academy performs kathak.Photo: Sree Sripathy for India Currents/CatchLight Local. 
Guests inside the rotunda snack on Indian food. Photo: Sree Sripathy for India Currents/CatchLight Local. 
The Association of Indo American’s Vijaya Aasuri enjoys a laugh with San Jose Councilmember Arjun Batra. Photo: Sree Sripathy for India Currents/CatchLight Local. 
A dancer from iGurukul Odissi performs odissi. Photo: Sree Sripathy for India Currents/CatchLight Local. 
A dancer from the Shalini Saxena Dance Academy performs kathak.Photo: Sree Sripathy for India Currents/CatchLight Local. 
Association of Indo American members gather at the podium to accept certificates of recognition by state government. Photo: Sree Sripathy for India Currents/CatchLight Local. 
San Jose District 7 Councilmember Bien Doan addresses the crowd. Photo: Sree Sripathy for India Currents/CatchLight Local.
In his last public appearance as Consul General of India in San Francisco, special guest Dr. T.V. Nagendra Prasad praised the Indian community in San Jose for its vibrancy. Dr. Prasad will be moving to a new role as India’s Ambassador to Kazakhstan.
Kathak dancers from the Shalini Saxena Dance Academy and Odissi dancers from iGurukul Odissi also performed at the event, and the Association of Indo-Americans treated guests to Indian food.