Baguio Indian Community celebrate every October 19 as “Indian Day”

October 14, 2019 Headlines

BAGUIO CITY (Oct.11) — The City government declared October 19 every year as “Indian Day” by virtue of a Resolution No.172 series of 2019 approved by former City Mayor Mauricio Domogan and the City Council.

The festivities will be held at the PFVR Youth Center along Military Cut Off on the 19th of October starting at 9:00 o’clock in the morning. 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.

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

Resolution No. 172, principally authored by then City Councilor and former Congressman Edgar M. Avila was inspired by the success story of Paul Lalwanot.

In his Explanatory note, Avila said “The City of Baguio has long been the home of Indians who have migrated from their homeland to make the Summer Capital of the Philippines their permanent home. Many well-known Indian owned businesses such as Valirams, Bombay Bazaar and Fil-Indian Department Store were some of the establishments that most of us remember. 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 Philippines, Baguio City Council.

Very much like Filipinos, the Indians are a very charitable people. Numerous Indian organizations conduct philanthropic activities not only in City of 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 Indians also have a very rich culture and their cuisine is worth embracing. It is apparent that the socioeconomic 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.”

During the occasion, grocery items would be given to 300 selected and pre-screened families. A medical team organized by RCDS Doc Willy Occidental shall provide check-ups and medicines while visitors and dignitaries invited including Congressman Mark Go, City Mayor Benjamin Magalong and other City Officials would have a taste of Indian cuisine, food and snacks and entertainment-par- excellence from the Indian cultural dancers invited from Manila to make the historic launching of Indian Day memorable.

Subalit ipinagbigay-alam ng Mayor sa mga abogado ng Uniwide na hindi katanggap-tanggap ang mga panukala ng kompanya na maging bahagi pa rin ng implementasyon ng modernisasyon ng palengke.