Conference to unite South Asians

Tuesday, April 14, 1998

Conference to unite South Asians

YOUTH: ‘Sangam’ group to help students address issues, come
together

By Andy Shah

Daily Bruin Contributor

It started last quarter with three people and a simple goal: to
unite South Asian youth. Like other new student groups, Sangam –
which means "coming together" in Hindi – started from scratch,
trying to define its purpose and networking to seek out new
members. After months of hard work, the effort has paid off.

Sangam, a coalition of South Asian students at UCLA, is
currently focused on a South Asian youth conference titled "Unity,
Past, Present and Future: An Evolution of Thought." The free
conference will take place on Sunday in the Ackerman Grand
Ballroom.

"This conference will provide a vital space for South Asian
youth to explore and share with one another our common cultural and
historical identity," said senior Raj Jayadev, one of the group’s
founders. "It also will address pressing concerns dealing with
social conflicts within our community and societal
obligations."

Shraddha Parekh, another founder, says the conference will
address issues of concern to South Asians.

"There are different pockets of activism in the South Asian
community, and we want to bring the community together and begin a
dialogue around issues that we’re facing," said the fourth-year
English student.

"South Asians are coming of age and trying to become a cohesive
political force," said Samantha Shahani, a fourth-year political
science and international relations student. "We’re dealing with
issues that are extremely important to us. For example, how much do
we assimilate into America, and how much of our culture do we
retain?"

Various educational forums and workshops will be presented, such
as South Asian American history and heritage, gender issues,
inter-generational conflicts, South Asian gangs, cultural identity
and interactive theater and drama.

A panel discussion will analyze the role and presence of South
Asians in the media. Also, UCLA student volunteers will facilitate
small discussion groups that will examine such issues as
immigration, stereotypes of South Asians, and problems facing South
Asian youth.

Cultural performances taking place include a classical Indian
dance known as Bharata Natyam, a hip-hop number and a one-man
play.

Parekh said this year’s conference will outshine last year’s
because the presentations are very interactive, and panelists are
much more approachable.

Also, a diverse group of South Asians is expected to show up.
Rather than being dominated by Indian Americans, groups from other
communities, such as Pakistanis and Sri Lankans, will add to the
mix of students.

Member of Sangam are a diverse group also, said Parekh.

"We’ve got students from very different backgrounds, from Sri
Lankans to frat boys, and they’re all coming together to make this
vision come about," she said.

South Asians include, but are not limited, to East Indians,
Pakistanis, Sri Lankans and Bangladeshis.

Sangam is making an unprecedented move this year by encouraging
high school students to attend the conference.

"We’re hoping to plant the seeds in these future leaders to work
with issues and to look at them from a different perspective," said
Parekh.

High school outreach efforts were difficult but rewarding in the
end.

"Members called 20 to 30 high schools and didn’t get a good
response, but every so often we would hit those one or two high
schools that were really excited about the conference," said
Parekh. "That’s what makes you want to get up in the morning and do
this conference."

To help with the planning of the event, Sangam received help
from Raza Women, who held their conference earlier this year.

One issue facing the South Asian community is political apathy.
Parekh said that although there have been prominent South Asian
activists in the United States, many South Asian Americans are not
aware of them.

"Many South Asians feel that they don’t have issues," said
Parekh. "Many are stuck on the idea that we are the most wealthiest
minority group, and therefore we don’t have problems."

This conference is aiming to allow South Asians to learn about
their history, as well as to meet other members of the same issue
facing the same issues.

Devang Thakor, a second-year neuroscience and cybernetics
student, said, "This conference will give us a space to talk about
things that weren’t talked about before. It’s a progressive
step."

To register for the conference, contact Nishant Kumar at (310)
296-0097 or register on line at
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Academy/6295