The Indian American community members held a nationwide candlelight vigil on Sunday August 29th 2021 for the fallen American Service members in the dastardly Kabul attack. #IndianAmericansagainstTerror was trending on the Internet during and after the vigil. These events were organized in Washington DC, New York City, New Jersey, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Houston, Boston, Dallas, Chicago, Columbus and Connecticut.
The community expressed their full solidarity with families of the Military personnel who lost their lives and became casualties in the war against Terror. From candle-light vigils to peaceful protests and fundraisers to help the affected family members, there are several reactions coming from across the United States. More vigils and protests are scheduled in the coming weeks leading up to the 20th Anniversary of September 11.
A Pakistan supported terror group; ISIS-K had claimed responsibility for the attack. Most of the terror groups that have targeted Indian and American Military personnel over the past 20 years have been trained and supported by Pakistan’s ISI.
In an event held in Houston on August 29th, Bangar Reddy mentioned that “The best way to pay tribute to our fallen Heroes is our resolve to reflect their ultimate sacrifices in our foreign policy decisions # Never Forget”.
At the same event, Dr. Surinder Kaul and Achalesh Amar ( National coordinators of the event )said that the “will of the terrorists is not greater than the will of the good people of India, America, Israel and, indeed, the world. That’s why we will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder, supporting one another, and united by our shared values and commitment to defeating terrorism.
He further recalled how five hundred thousand members of his community became victim of genocide and ethnic cleansing at the hands of Pakistan sponsored jihadi terrorism in Kashmir 31 years ago .
At the event held in New York city at famous Times Square, a prominent Indian Americans Mukesh Modi and Krishna Reddy said “We come together to send a message of healing and of unity. Together, we mourn those brave lives lost in Kabul in the face of terror. We stand united against terrorism, and we must defeat terrorism,” he said. “This was an act of terror, an act of pure evil. We must be firm in the face of evil and terror,” he said. “That said, we honor the fallen by not letting the terrorists change what we are or our way of life.” In New York commemoration events were held in four locations including Times Square.
At an event in Washington DC , prominent Indian American’s Adapa Prasad, Kanwaljit Soni, Krishna Gudipati mentioned “ The whole world denounces the cowardly ISIS attack on US marines who were peacefully evacuating Afghan people and world should remain united to fight this menace once for all “
At an event at Los Angeles, Amit Desai stated “ The Indian American community mourns the sacrifice of 13 brave hearts as we understand terrorism at our ancestral land and now in our adopted homes”
In an event in San Francisco area, prominent Indian Americans Chandru Bhambhra, Gaurav Patwardhan, Judhajit and Jeevan Zutshi mentioned “We strongly condemn this dastardly attack and mourn the loss of life and extend our heartfelt condolences to the victims’ families and people of America,”
Various Indian American student organizations from various universities came together at these silent candlelight vigils and pledged to remain together to fight terrorism unitedly and resolutely. .
Special prayer meetings were held in Fremont Hindu Temple, Gayatri Chetna Center in New Jersey for the victims and many Indian Americans congregated to pay rich tributes to fallen soldiers.
In Boston event Abhijit Singh who coordinated the event stated that “World has to come together to fight menace of terrorism “.
Altogether, commemoration was held at about 25 venues all over USA which was heavily represented by local council representatives, representatives of congressman, veterans and members of Afghan community. Many of them spoke and paid rich tributes to fallen soldiers. Thousands of Indian Americans participated in this nation wide commemoration.
Surinder Kaul
On behalf of National team of Event coordination
