Founded last year, the Indian Culture Club aims to serve the Indian community at Amador with an open environment and cultural enrichment activities with Kahoots, discussions, and snacks.
Amador has a uniquely diverse community full of many different cultures. A significant Asian population represents about 46 percent of the school.
“Last year, I always searched for a place of belonging and similarity on campus where I felt truly at home. That is the feeling the Indian Culture Club provided me. I felt like I was in a room of like-minded individuals, who were not only willing but wanted to embrace their heritage,” said Secretary Zenil Koovejee (‘24).
In the biweekly meetings, Indian snacks are available to members. The club discusses a wide range of topics such as holidays, festivals, fashion, and Indian cinema. Recently, they have talked about India’s moon landing and the ongoing 9-day celebration of Navratri.
“What I enjoy most is spending time and learning with [the members] through our meetings. It gets really fun because we have so many activities and learn so much as a group. Bollywood is a big part of what we do, so we also get to talk about that. It brings together a group that hasn’t had a place or a time to meet before,” said co-president Shrika Kulkarni (‘24).
Coming from a rich and diverse background, the Indian community living abroad represents the largest diaspora in the world. Many bring along with them their unique culture like holidays and celebrations such as Holi and Diwali.
“I think it is very difficult to express our love for our culture on campus, especially with our younger peers. We feel somehow socially that it is unacceptable for us to embrace our culture and that we should conform to the norms of where we are right now. While I think that it is important to adapt, I also think it’s important to remember where you are coming from. If you don’t know where you come from, you don’t know where you are going,” said Koovejee.
The club plans to expand by giving their members volunteer opportunities such as helping out with Diwali celebrations. Later on, they want to partner with the Korean Culture Club to do an Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders event for its heritage month.
“Through this club, we hope that people can know more about India’s diversity while also forming bonds with other people. I have gotten the chance to meet many different people and learn from them. I have been able to connect and become closer to my own heritage and culture,” said co-president Dhruvi Shah (‘25).
