VENUE: Ellistone Park

DATES: August 21st, 23rd, 25th. 27th and 29th (Alternative day in case of inclement weather)

INCA Youth Awards Night - March 21, 2009
Special gratitude to all INCA Committee Members and volunteers who worked so very hard to make the Youth Awards Night 2009 a tremendous success. It was absolutely great to see all our young scholars beaming with joy and pride as they were waiting for their turn in their reserved seats. A touching scene was when the scholarship winner paid obeisance to the Guest Speaker Dr. Jaydeep Balakrishnan by touching his feet. He then gave a short and sweet speech expressing his homage to his parents and his Guru with a request for blessings from the crowd.

All the parents moved around gleaming with happiness at the success of their young ones. The Awards Committee under the stewardship of Surinder Bhandari should be highly commended for its efficient commitment to perfection. The choreographers and the young talented performers will be acknowledged for their excellent contributions towards this celebration. It was a well organized party for the young. The focused speech by Jaydeep on the tertiary expectations of the award winners was much appreciated. Draupadi Karadia was the coordinator of the event who was able to get the help of committee members and volunteers to make it a grand event in keeping with the respect and dignity needed for the young scholars.

Multicultural Gala Night 2009 - March 15, 2009
The excellent success of this event has to be attributed to the team spirit displayed by all the committee members and volunteers from both INCA and SAHLA throughout the preparations leading to the end . Everyone showed the desire to run an extra mile for the success of the community event even sacrificing the weekends. Every area was well taken care of - the magnificent stage performances with the hard work put in by the choreographers and the performers, the VIP seating arrangements with the transformation of the VIP reception into a reception for the VIPs, the ushering of VIPs and guests, the front reception and sale of tickets, the effective role of the MCs, the excellent management of the back stage and the smooth flow of events of the program.

All responsibilities were conducted with a sense of pride and courtesy which shall remain as the hall mark of our community service. As a member of the INCA Committee I am extremely touched by the warmth and concern that prevailed at all times. The Guest of Honour was the Honorable Lindsay Blackett, Minister of Culture & Community Spirit, Government of Alberta.

The event was also a testimony to the ability of two established organizations in Calgary to work together with great harmony and understanding - the India Canada Association of Calgary and the Southern Alberta Heritage and Language Association. The feedback from various quarters was absolutely encouraging.

INCA Seniors Club Inauguration - January 31, 2009
This was a sequel to the Seniors Workshop / Seminar held in 2008. During the workshop 42 of the participants signed up for the formation of a seniors club. under the per view of the organization. There were 62 participants and the ceremony was officiated by Dr. Brij Sood a well renowned community worker in Canada. The members were on the upbeat to have a forum to interact and fraternize with common interests and aspirations. Vinay Dattani is the coordinator of the club.

Republic Day of India celebrations cum Presentation of Volunteer Appreciation Certificates - Jan 24, 2009

INCA took the opportunity of presenting the volunteer appreciation certificates on the auspicious occasion of the Republic Day of India celebrations. Again the president

emphasized the significance of the Republic Day celebrations had a different perception for Indo Canadians as it was to pay homage to the forefathers who fought tenaciously to bring dignity to the nation. Our volunteers need absolute recognition for their dedicated service rendered with so much of humility. The president exclaimed that the volunteers were the heroes of the organization and INCA would always salute them. Certificates were presented to 115 volunteers. Deepak Obhrai M.P. for Calgary East, Devinder Shory M.P. for Calgary North East and Moe Amery MLA for Calgary East were present to grace the occasion and give away the certificates. The coordinator of the event was Biren Das Biswas who worked meticulously hard to make the whole event a success with the cooperation of all the event coordinators of the other activities.

Stampede Breakfast - July 9, 2008
In keeping with the commitment of INCA on excellence the committee worked hard to make this function most eventful. Unlike the previous years this year the emphasis was on creating a conducive atmosphere to fit the general trend of all parts of Alberta. There was the western music belting away loud and clear and the children's corner was a crowd puller. East Indian vegetarian breakfast was served with special Indian tea to over 300 people. The coordinator who put relentless effort to make the event successful was Nirupama Nagarajappa.

India Pakistan Friendly Cricket Match - August 16, 2008
The coordinators of this event were Surendra Bhandari who was the coach for the Indian side and Surinder Rehill. One of the objectives was to remedy the lack of crowd like in previous attempts. INCA launched a publicity stunt to attract more people along with creating a festive mood with food and curio stalls. Though the crowd participation had improved it was still to be desired. The game was lively and INCA team was victorious. INCA held a reception for the players on a later date.

Independence Day of India celebrations - August 24, 2008
This activity has been a traditional event at INCA probably from the inception. The president was emphatic that the celebrations of the event by Indo Canadians took a different perception as the significance was to pay homage to the forefathers who had struggled extremely hard for emancipation from the imperial power and East Indians in any part of the world should maintain the obligation to pay homage to them. The INCA flag with the motto was inaugurated as a mark of the ensuing 40th anniversary celebrations in 2009. The coordinator for this event was Uma Thakor who was commended for the innovative changes in the presentation. The guest of honor was Amrik Gill a celebrated script writer and film director from Bollywood.. Around 120 people attended.

Global Fest - August 15, 2008 to August 23, 2008
This became an extremely ambitious program as the Global Fest Organization Committee in Calgary decided to go in a big way. They chose a better location near a lagoon with a tranquil ambiance. INCA was obliged to work hard to keep up to excellence to create a showcase for Eastern Indian artifacts, clothing and culinary delights. The Indian pavilion was absolutely attractive and the menhdi painting (designs on the hands and feet ) was a big hit. Many volunteers were needed to span the 4/5 days of commitment.. The coordinator was Rekha Bhatt who was committed to further improvement this year.

Indian Consulate Officials from Vancouver in Calgary - Sept 6, 2008
Special arrangements were made by INCA Committee members and volunteers to assist the Indian Consulate Officials from Vancouver to conduct their services in Calgary at the INCA office to process visas to India and other requirements for the general public in Calgary. The whole exercise for the day was very efficiently conducted and the credit should go to Surinder Rehill who was the Coordinator. The INCA Committee Members and all the volunteers who contributed to the 'clock work style' management of affairs did a commendable job. There was excellent feedback from the public and from the Consulate Office in Vancouver. Around hundred over people benefited from this exercise.

INCA Seniors Workshop / Seminar - October 25, 2008
This was attended by 62 participants who benefited by four excellent speakers who also obliged by making all the needed clarifications for the seniors. The coordinator of the event was Draudadi Karadia who was helped by the RC Advisor Uma Thakor. 42 of the participants signed up for the formation of the seniors club. Vinay Dattani, a long standing well wisher of INCA kindly consented to be the Coordinator of the INCA Seniors Club.

Mumbai Tragedy Memorial Service - Nov 24, 2008
Needles to mention this was a terrible shock to everybody and much more to those who had relatives and friends in the affected area. INCA was busy to get information from those who were affected in one way or other so that help could be rendered. A letter of condemnation was signed by members and sent to the High Commissioner of India in Ottawa. Prayers were also conducted at the INCA premises. On December 4, 2008 the INCA president represented the organization at a Jewish Memorial Service.