The Murray State News

Issue date: 11/21/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Melissa De Young/The News Curris Center director Jim Baurer gets cake in the face as honored at Indian Night for hs retirement.

Green, red and white balloons displaying Indian pride decorated the Curris Center Ballroom as the annual Indian Night commenced Friday. Along with the balloons, Rangoli, brightly colored drawings made of salt and sand, adorned the floor at the entrance to the ballroom as a symbol of welcoming to all who entered. Women dressed in brightly colored Saris and men wore the traditional formal Sherwanis, which added greatly to the festivities of the evening.

The Indian Student Association hosted the event, which sought to bring the Indian students studying at Murray together alongside anyone wanting to experience Indian culture.

"Indian Student Association started as a small group here, but now we have many members and we are looking to participate in Murray from different angles and to educate people of our culture," Subhadra Vemu, graduate student from India and one of the hosts, said. "We want to reach each and every student and faculty member to do something for them. I hope everyone likes it and gives us a chance."

At Indian Night, many students of various ethnicities came to support ISA and learn more about a different culture.

"I know several of the Indian grad students in the chemistry department and several of them are here tonight," Austin McCuiston, junior from Murray, said. "That is only part of the reason I came tonight. This is really my first experience with Indian culture, so I would like to learn about it and have fun. I am really looking forward to the traditional Indian dinner."

Indian night served its purpose of educating everyone who attended, but ISA president Ashok Babu Kolla, graduate student from Punjagutta, India, said the main cause of celebration was to commemorate and honor Jim Bauer, Curris Center director, who is retiring.

"Indian night is mainly to commemorate and remember Jim Bauer and all of the work he has put into the University," Kolla said. "All of the people worked really hard to put Indian night on. We also honored all of the graduates, many of whom are going to be graduating in December. Our main goal was to honor Jim Bauer and to provide everyone with good Indian food. I think we succeeded since there is no food left."

Continued...

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