“Raising money for the charities is very important but it also helps us spread Indian culture throughout the campus.”
— Ashish Bansal

SAICA banquet to benefit charity
By Marci King
Staff Reporter

Students for Asian-Indian Cultural Awareness will use food, dancing and fashion to promote awareness for Indian culture while raising money for leprosy and orphanages, said Ashish Bansal, vice president of SAICA.

Experience India, a charity banquet will be Saturday from noon to 2:30 p.m. in the Student Center Ballroom.

The banquet was originally started in 1994 by SAICA as a reaction to a devastating earthquake in India, Bansal said. The banquet was so well received that SAICA continued the event, he said.

Maliha Suleman, secretary of SAICA, said because of the tragedy of Sept. 11 a portion of the proceeds will go to relief efforts in New York, Suleman said.

“We feel it is only right with all that has happened that we share the proceeds,” Suleman said.

The banquet will feature Indian dance acts, singing, a luncheon catered by Maha Indian Restaurant and a fashion show displaying traditional Indian clothes, Suleman said.

Many SAICA officers will be the models for the fashion show, Bansal said.

“This is a real chance for us to showcase our culture,” Bansal said.

Tori Barlow, a sophomore business major, said she plans to attend the banquet and experience a taste of a different culture.

“The banquet is for a great cause and you have the opportunity to learn about another culture,” Barlow said.

Experience India is the main event for SAICA and has dual importance to the organization, Bansal said.

“Raising money for the charities is very important but it also helps us spread Indian culture throughout the campus,” Bansal said. “There are not many Indian students at TCU so this is a real opportunity.”

Bansal said the amount of money previously raised by the banquet was not disclosed to the organization.

Tickets for Experience India are for sale in the Student Center from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Student tickets are being sold for $5, all other tickets are $12.

Marci King
m.l.king@student.tcu.edu

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