Indo-American Association of Delaware Records, 1983-1992

(1 box, 0.4 linear feet )

Collection 3016

© The Historical Society of Pennsylvania
1300 Locust Street * Philadelphia, PA 19107
 The Historical Society of Pennsylvania
Table of contents
Abstract
The Indo-American Association of Delaware (IAAD) is a non-profit, secular, community association dedicated to enriching the lives of the people in the Indo-American community. The main objectives of IAAD are to promote unity and friendship in the greater community and to encourage the younger generations to preserve connections to their Indian heritage. This two-pronged objective is achieved through a variety of social, educational, and cultural programs, which are documented by the array of correspondence, newsletters, flyers, and event programs located in this collection.

Background note
In recent decades, Americans of Asian-Indian descent have become a highly visible part of the Northern Delaware demographic landscape. In order to maintain their cultural heritage, especially among the younger generations, the Indo-American Association of Delaware was organized in June 1984. The IAAD is located in Newark, Delaware and is governed by a board of fifteen directors, who comprise an Executive Committee, and three standing committees, including Membership, Activities, and Finance.

The board upholds its commitment to the Indo-American community through a variety of programs, including lectures on philosophical and religious issues, yoga exercises, dance classes for children, music recitals, and theatrical performances. They also assist their members with financial and retirement planning, as well as providing halls for special events such as marriages and funerals. Although the IAAD is run for the benefit of Indo-Americans, membership is open to all without regard to race, color, creed, sex, or national origin.

The IAAD is perhaps best known within the Delaware community for its community wide celebrations during India's major holidays and religious celebrations, such as Diwali (festival of lights), Pongal (harvest festival), Baisakhi (Hindu Solar New Year), and India Independence Day. The group also maintains close ties to the non-Indian community in Delaware through its annual "India Day" celebration, when all are invited to enjoy folk and classical music and dances, arts and craft exhibits, sari-tying demonstrations, and Indian cooking lessons. India Day has always been an important event for IAAD, not only because it serves to keep Indian traditions alive, but also because it allows all of its participants to learn and share with people from diverse ethnic communities.


Scope and content
The papers of the Indo-American Association of Delaware fall into two distinct groups. The first group describes the organizational aspects of the IAAD, and includes its certificate of incorporation, constitution, by-laws, minutes of the board of directors (1983-1992), phone list, and membership applications. The second group comprises the bulk of the collection, and contains information relative to the numerous social, cultural, and educational programs organized by the IAAD, especially the annual Family Dinner and India Day celebration. This material includes advertisements, event programs, newsletters, and correspondence.


Administrative information
Restrictions on use
The collection is open for research.

Preferred citation
Cite as: [Indicate box and folder # here], Indo-American Association of Delaware Records (Collection 3016), The Historical Society of Pennsylvania.

Provenance
Gift of Jitu Asthana.

Accession number: M92-116

Processing notes
Processed by: Patrick Shea

Processing Completed: May 2002


Additional information
Related material
Serials related to this collection in the HSP Library:

Indo-American Review, 1991-

The Kashmiri Pundit International, Newsletter of the Kashmiri Overseas Association, Inc. and Indo American Kashmir Forum, 1995

Language(s) represented
English.

Added entries
Subjects
  • Immigrants--Indic- Delaware, United States of America--Services for Minorities-Education
  • Mutual Aid Societies-United States of America
  • United States of America-Emigration and Immigration
  • Folk Dancing, Indic
  • Immigrants-Indic- Delaware, United States of America--Legal Status, Laws, etc.
  • Immigrants-Indic-Delaware, United States of America--Housing
  • India-History-20th Century
  • Indic Periodicals

    • Contributors
  • Indo-American Association of Delaware

    • Contact information

    The Historical Society of Pennsylvania
    [http://www.hsp.org/]
    1300 Locust Street
    Philadelphia, PA 19107

    ©2002


    Sponsor:
    Processing made possible by a grant from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC).


    Collection inventory

    Indo-American Association of Delaware, Certificate of Incorporation, together with Constitution, By Laws and related material
    1984-1990
    21 items
    Box 1: 1

    Indo-American Association of Delaware, Constitution, By-Laws, Membership Application and Phone List
    n.d.
    3 items
    Box 1: 2

    Indo-American Association of Delaware, Board of Directors Minutes and Correspondence
    1983-1988
    48 items
    Box 1: 3

    Indo-American Association of Delaware, Board of Director's Minutes and Correspondence
    1989-1992
    63 items
    Box 1: 4

    Indo-American Association of Delaware, Formal Charter for the Steering Committee, Community Center - Temple Project
    1991
    1 item
    Box 1: 5

    Indo-American Association of Delaware, Programs, Annual Family Dinner
    1984-1991
    18 items
    Box 1: 6

    Indo-American Association of Delaware, Working File for India Day Celebration
    1986-1988
    52 items
    Box 1: 7

    Indo-American Association of Delaware, Autographed Programs, India Day
    June 1988
    5 items
    Box 1: 8

    Indo-American Association of Delaware, Event Flyers
    1983-1990
    39 items
    Box 1: 9

    Indo-American Association of Delaware, Event Programs
    1983-1990
    14 items
    Box 1: 10

    Indo-American Association of Delaware, Newsletters and Correspondence
    1983-1991
    76 items
    Box 1: 11

    Indo-American Association of Delaware, Newsletter, Patrika
    1987-1988
    9 items
    Box 1: 12

    Indo-American Association of Delaware, Broad Meadow School Blue Print and Correspondence
    1989
    4 items
    Box 1: 13

    Indo-American Association of Delaware, Tax Information
    1984-1990
    42 items
    Box 1: 14