In response to a recent article about a Friends of India officer failing to recognize the organization’s founder during the celebration of India’s Independence Day, UNLV Prof. Satish Bhatnagar shared the following article about the early days of Indian immigrants in Las Vegas.

The roots and foundations are always invisible – whether they are of individuals, trees, mansions, and institutions. Furthermore, creation of anything tangible or intangible is preceded by time-dependent processes of incubation, conception, and gestation. This line of thinking has been turning over in my mind ever since I read about Friends of India (FoI) drawn into an issue in a media outlet. The FoI is a social and cultural club in Las Vegas which is open to the well wishers of India, as the name implies – irrespective of religion and nationality.

My first reaction was as to why Indian organizations can’t sort out the differences in their privacy? Differences are natural and a healthy sign of an organization, and resolving them internally makes the organization stronger. The strength of an organization makes the individuals stronger and conversely. Paradoxically, the collective strength of a good organization is greater than the sum of the strengths of its individual members. Therefore, any dirty linen washed in public weakens the organization, worse – fewer people would come forward to serve on the Board – a blot on the community. There are no perks to serve on a community board be that religious, educational, political, or social. Yes, successful experience on a board can catapult individuals to a public office of the city or state. In fact, without a local base, there is no national recognition either. The Indian community has to be cognizant of the bigger picture.

My second reaction was really personal. At my age of 85, I must say that FoI is my baby in the sense that I thought of this name without consulting anyone. It was announced at a meeting of all national/ethnic associations in Las Vegas which was held in the City Hall in spring of 1983. It is essential to apprise the community of the genesis of FoI and Indian pioneers in Las Vegas in 1974 when I joined UNLV. Yes, this is my 52nd year as a full time faculty member.

Again, the focus is on 1974. The following names which are in bold print mean they are RIP. Sadanand and Joyce Verma; Rakesh Bhatnagar, Narendra and Rama Yellamanchali, Mathew Azikaketh and Connie, Leela and Milly, Lam and Chinmaya Kundargi, Abraham Kanji, Tom and Mary Thomas, Mike Jassani, Toni and Shanta Ramchand, Ashok Malik, Gurdeep and Carrol Grewal, Pravin and Veena Bakrania, Hemansu and Suhas Shroff, Ishwarbhai Patel. I am not sure (+- 1974) about V. Ram (Plastic Surgeon) and his wife. In fact, I would urge the readers to correct any errors in this data. There were hardly 30 Indians – only Mathew was a US citizen. These Indians belonged to the first generation of immigrants into the US – after the Immigration Act was amended in 1965.

In an era of no computers, no smartphones, and a small Indian community, the desire to socialize was natural. We literally met at the weekend khanas (eating binge) at one house or the other – twice a month. In 1974, Tony and Shanta celebrated Dusehra festival at their house. Soon after, the first Diwali celebration was publicly celebrated in the Students Union of UNLV.

Keeping the narrative compact, in the Fall-1977, a community meeting, over picnic, was held in the Sunset Park (1/10th of today’s size) to discuss the official formation of an association of Indians. But after an hour, people dispersed for not agreeing on its mission, and hence its name!

On returning to Las Vegas in 1982 after a sojourn in India for two years, we celebrated Diwali in the Paradise Park. There was a renewed interest in forming an association. By then, my younger brother, Pramod who had joined me in l979, had made some contacts with the ‘International Office’ in the City Hall. They ‘badly’ wanted Indians to have an organization- they guided us in drafting the bylaws etc. My son enthusiastically typed out various drafts on his new Apple IIe computer. With that document set in motion, I attended that meeting, where FoI was born and named.

As far as the officers of the FoI are concerned, I kept myself out in the background. To the best of my memory, during 1982-83, Raghvindra Singh was the President; Himansu, Pramod and Tom held other offices. During 1983-84, Raj Chanderraj was the President and Pramod VP, the rest is an open book. The registration of the FoI with the State of Nevada took its own course of a couple of years.

In conclusion, at the annual function of FoI, recognizing a former officer and an individual who has served the community beyond his/her profession and business is a sign of a mature organization. At times, recognizing a deserving member of the community raises the stature of an organization in public esteem.

Satish C. Bhatnagar, Ph.D. Professor, Department of Mathematical Sciences,  University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV 89154 Phone: 702-895-0383 Email: bhatnaga@unlv.nevada.edu Adjunct Professor, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda (2019 –  ) UNLV Faculty Senate (2018 – 2021)

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Above article is in response to the following article published earlier…