November 19, 2005

Evergreen Desi organization hosts first annual Diwali dinner

Nearly 400 Evergreen residents of Indian origin attended the first annual Evergreen Desi Diwali dinner to celebrate the festival of lights on Nov. 11.

District 8 Councilmember Dave Cortese lit a lamp to signal the start of festivities.

The Evergreen Desi organization, a private neighborhood association of nearly 900 Indian homeowners in Evergreen, hosted the sold-out event at the Mt. Hamilton Grange on Aborn and San Felipe roads.

Diwali, the festival of lights, is the most popular of the Hindu festivals from South Asia. In many parts of India, Diwali also marks the start of the New Year. Hindu families dress in traditional clothing, visit the temples, decorate their houses with lights and ignite firecrackers.

Congratulating the festively attired attendees on the occasion of Diwali, District 8 Councilmember Dave Cortese recalled that his office and the Evergreen Desi organization had worked together to raise crime awareness earlier this year.

They held a well-attended crime meeting where Evergreen residents presented their security concerns directly to members of the San Jose Police Dept.

“I welcome your community into the greater community of Evergreen and San Jose. Your participation enables Evergreen and the City of San Jose to be truly global,” said Cortese. He then lit a lamp to signal the start of festivities. The lamps symbolize the victory of good over evil, light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance.

He also presented the president of the Evergreen Desi organization, Sundari Josyula, with a commendation certificate on behalf of the San Jose City Council and the City of San Jose, in recognition of the organization’s hard work and community outreach efforts.

District 8 Councilmember Dave Cortese presented the president of the Evergreen Desi organization, Sundari Josyula, with a commendation certificate on behalf of the San Jose City Council and the City of San Jose.

Deepali Ghate-Deglurkar then sang a beautiful invocation to Lakshmi, the Goddess of prosperity, followed by a rousing, foot-tapping, dance number performed by the ladies of Vinitha Kumar’s troupe. This was followed by a buffet-style dinner catered by Fremont-based restaurant, Bombay Garden, children’s games and dancing.

A highlight of the evening was the popular raffle in which all adult guests participated. The winners received gift certificates from Evergreen Desi member businesses such as restaurant Hyderabad Cafe on Aborn Road, area grocery stores, Indian Junction at the San Felipe and Aborn road intersection and India Mart at the intersection of White Road and Quimby roads.

Local beauticians, Jaskiran’s professional skincare for women and Lilly’s Beauty World, and an area movie theater, the IMC6 at the Alameda in San Jose, contributed generous giveaways and gift certificates as raffle prizes.

A colorful, festively attired crowd attended the first annual Evergreen Desi Diwali dinner on Nov. 11.

The Evergreen Desi organization made the event affordable to area families through the generosity of local pediatrician, Dr. Meena Sathappan of Aasha Pediatrics, and area realtors, Mrs. Sreelatha Musukula of Century 21 Realty and Mr. Jay Yanamandala, of SUV Realty.

Membership to the Evergreen Desi organization is free and open to all Indian homeowners residing in the Evergreen area. For more information, go to http://www.evergreendesi.com.