Independence
Day Celebration in Los Angeles
By Ashraf Ali
President
Pakistani American Arts Council
Los Angeles, CA
We were very disappointed the way the Pakistan
Independence Day was celebrated in Los Angeles,
California, on August 6, ‘05. It was the
worst program we have witnessed in the past 35
years. As President of the Pakistani American
Arts Council I urge the community leaders not
to let this happen again.
*****
By Kamal Zafar
LA
The purpose of celebrating the Pakistan Independence
Day is to acquaint the younger generation with
our history, values and culture. This was done
in the last 15 years with a considerable degree
of success.
This year’s celebration in Los Angeles,
however, was a great disappointment. Starting
with $ 8 parking fee, the mandatory donation of
$5 per person was confounding. The body search
left a bad taste in the mouth. The experience
within the coliseum was hardly any different.
The older people who came with their hearts overflowing
with love for Pakistan could not make it to the
ground level, and if they did, they could not
make it to the washrooms. They were helplessly
perched in the coliseum. Almost all Pakistani
restaurants boycotted the function as they found
participation too pricey.
Things could have been arranged better, especially
as the Consulate General was actively associated
in arranging the program. The officials should
have objected to some of the arrangements and
should have also ensured that a true picture of
our history and culture was presented on the all-important
day.
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