As Chinese communities in Negros Occidental and the rest of the country and the world are expressing their Kung Hei Fat Choi greetings and  thoughts,  another group, the Indian community, although smaller in number also celebrate in thought and spirit an occasion that stirs national and cultural pride, too – the Republic Day of their country.

The small community of Indians in Bacolod has been with us for almost nine decades now with its members having been engaged in lawful business activities, thereby contributing to the economic growth of the city. A great majority of them, in fact, are Filipino citizens,  having born in the country.

Another group with reasons to celebrate this week are the citizens of the country Down Under, who, despite being far from home, are apparently in the groove of tomorrow’s mood as their country folk observe Australia Day as Australian cultural diversity is celebrated, we are reminded of the Philippine community in that country which has grown through the years and with the growth in numbers came, too, the recognition of Filipinos who contribute to that nations strides, particularly in education, service and technical industries. One area where the Filipinos have etched their mark is the Northern Territory, that part of Australia which is closest to the Philippines geographically, particularly in the city of Darwin, where Filipinos compose about 5 to 7 percent of the population.

And if ever Filipinos, particularly we, Negrenses, should start taking pride in our brothers and sisters in that part of the world, it’s because the Filipino community there has been recognized and well-received in Darwin, especially with the efforts of a native of our province, John Rivas, who served as president of the Filipino-Australian Association in he North Territory.

Having heard of the efforts in inviting and graciously accommodating the Kaanyag Dancers of West Negros University for at least two years, we decided to request for an interview with him when we learned that he was in town.

It was a double treat for us  when we met him at the L’Fisher poolside when he informed us that while he is still supportive of the association, he is no longer its president after his appointment as Honorary Consul for the Northern Territory was confirmed by the Australian Government in November last year. His new position, obviously, is a recognition of his efforts in establishing and maintaining better ties between his country and his new homeland.

Consul Rivas reaffirmed, in our interview,  the cultural diversity in Australia, especially in Darwin, which has among the biggest population of Asian immigrants in recent years. It is this diversity, he said that has made Australia culturally and socially vibrant.

On our side of the world, as we think of the presence of the Chinese, Indian, Australian and other members of the foreign community in our city, province and island, we realize the need for us to showcase and appreciate the  growing sense of cultural diversity in our midst. For Bacolod, for example, to be truly in pace in its march to become a city of the world, it must recognize and nurture this diversity.

And as they say in this year’s celebration Down Under, we must “Celebrate what is great” and that greatness is measured, among others, by the wealth of our cultural diversity.

The AFINO

For decades, the small community of Indian businessmen and their respective families in Bacolod City have been quietly doing their share in civic activities designed to help improve the quality of life in a marginalized part of the city.

The Association of Filipino-Indians in Negros Occidental has been funding the Purok Langis Day Care Center in Barangay Banago. Ajit Gidwani, newly re-elected president of AFINO, said the school is presently serving 65 pre-school children.

Elected with Gidwani in their Jan. 21 election were Prem Amarnani, who succees Lachu Buxani as secretary, and Sunder Nandwani, who assumes the treasurer’s responsibility from Kumar Amarnani.

The pre-school program is among the civic activities of AFINO, which also provides  assistance to victims of calamities in the province.

While they may not be formally celebrate the India Republic Day today, he said, they join their countrymen and women in mind and spirit during this national holiday.

Indians remember today the declaration of their republic in 1950 following its independence of their country in 1947 after being under great Britain for almost 90 years.

India is the second most populous country in the world with  about 1.15 billion people and has grown significantly in the last 20 years as it gained strides in economic and industrial endeavors.

The AFINO has set up its temple in Taculing and continues to observe important celebrations of their culture – like the Diwali, or the Festival of Lights, which they celebrated last week of October, and Holi the Indian Festival of Colors in March this year said Indian families in Bacolod City usually celebrate holi outdoors, like at the beach, where young members paint colors on siblings, their parents and others.

The Indian community in Bacolod and Negros Occidental, including small traders, who are not AFINO members, number more than 150 with another 40-plus individuals seeking an extension of their visa, the local immigration office said.

Gidwani said among the Indian-owned businesses in Bacolod is the New India Assurance Company, Ltd, the largest non-life insurance company in India which is owned by the government. The company operates in about 30 countries and covers services for homes, industries, cars, liabilities, health, overseas medical claim, engineering, personal and other forms of insurance.

Gidwani also said that Indian ladies observe the cultural celebration on full moon days by gathering at the temple and eating a pure vegetarian meal during the day.

The AFINO president added that the members of his association are very well integrated in the Bacolod community as almost all of them are Filipino citizens, adding that he, a permanent resident of the country,  is  “looking forward to apply for citizenship next month”.