SANTA BARBARA INDIAN FESTIVAL OCTOBER 12, 2019
The Indian Association of Santa Barbara was organized to serve people and descendants of the East Indian community of Santa Barbara County and for all others who wish to learn about their culture and religion.
The organization will hold social, cultural and religious events to celebrate Hindu and Sikh festivals and holidays and to promote awareness of this culture within the Santa Barbara community and elsewhere. Emphasis is placed on community service projects to promote the spirit of giving (Serva).
The organization will hold monthly meetings on the last Saturday of each month from 2:00pm – 5:00pm to discuss upcoming social, cultural and religious events.
Food distribution to the homeless will take place on the first Saturday of each month at local parks between 2:00pm – 4:00pm to promote the spirit of giving in our neighboring communities.
Monthly discussions with UCSB student bodies and the general public will be held on the second Saturday of each month between 2:00pm – 4:00pm. Seminars and lectures will also be hosted by the organization.
Semi-annual retreats in June and December will be conducted to promote the study of the religion and culture.
No fees will be charged for any of the foregoing activities. Donations will be accepted.
Monthly meetings, discussions and semi-annual retreats will be facilitated by Viranda Singh and volunteers. The locations of such events will be provided by future donors or rented facilities as yet to be determined. Virandra Singh will spend approx. 40 hours per month on the aforementioned activities.
Feeding of food to the needy and homeless is an important part of the Sikh Association - the doing of Serva. We ask for donations from local companies and feed once a month, the second Saturday of each month at a local park. This helps us connect with the people.
We feed the mentally challenged of Alpha Resource and their care givers, once a month on the first Tuesday of the month, meals at Mesa Pizza Co and have been doing this for the past 17 years. This helps us make a major difference in their lives and experience the joy of seeing the delight on the faces of these beautiful special people.
Our goal is to help and connect the students and the locals so they can continue to practice their culture, experience their heritage and celebrate all the festivals from their native communities. Then share this with the local community - in the current form of the Indian Festival in Oak Park, Santa Barbara.
