City celebrates Indian New Year

      India’s astonishing cultural diversity can be sampled today at the UTSAV 2009 celebrations at the Equatorial Hotel in District 5 in HCM City.
Organised by the Indian Business Chamber (INCHAM) for the third year running in the city, UTSAV is an amalgamation of the Lunar New Year festival celebrated by different communities in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia. In fact, the middle of April marks New Year celebrations by close to 10 per cent of the world population.
Whether it is Vishu in the state of Kerala, Ugadi in the states of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, Poila Baisakh in Bengali speaking areas, Puthandu in Tamilnadu and other Tamil-speaking areas, Baisakhi in Punjab and Bihu in Assam, the New Year is ushered in with various rituals laden with spiritual and symbolic significance.
The legends associated with these festivals also vary greatly, but a common denominator is that they are celebrated with special feasts, music and dance.
At the Equatorial Hotel this evening, from 6pm onwards, the Indian community in HCM City will put on display of cultural performances from several Indian states celebrating the New Year, and offer a wide selection of food and flavours from different parts of the country.