Page 42 - December 2020 Digital full

REVISITING

2020

COMMUNITY

OUTREACH PROGRAMS

As we continue to be socially isolated, the weeks have quietly from the premier organization that
turned into months. It’s a new season. The air is cooler and represents the Indian diaspora – India
the shortening days a comforting reminder that the forces Association of North Texas (IANT) at their
of nature remain steadfast despite the disruptions of 2020. annual signature event, the India Day.
Significantly, the worst of the summer is over. This transition Funasia was recognized for supporting
to fall should not be without gratitude if, by some miracle, IANT, in promoting their agenda and
one has been spared a health debacle. Recently, I was trying events.
to recall what entire community might have been doing last
November. Running around in a
mad rush without doubt, caught
between hectic preparations for the
seemingly endless slew of social
events and gatherings leading up
to the holidays.

The heightened anxiety of early
lockdown has given way to a
philosophical acceptance. This
is that rare year in adulthood
reminiscent of days, when all you
can do is to sit back, housebound,
and observe the mundane.

It’s been eight months since the
pandemic disrupted our lives – a
period long enough to dismantle our social lives and every As the pandemic spread, celebrations
festival that we all eagerly await, to distinguish special for Holi were put off while the world
days from ordinary ones. Birthdays and anniversaries have tried to figure out our response to the
come and gone. This time alone has forced everyone to re- unexpected challenge. Ramadan and Eid
evaluate, not only at a professional level, what being isolated passed by without the usual social fervor
actually means - learning to enjoy one’s own company or and social gatherings, while Navratri
the company of family, finding new ways to stay relevant, or and Diwali were celebrated mostly within
simply, maintaining a facade of sanity. smaller groups. Throughout this ongoing
ordeal, Funasia found ways to bring
Here at Funasia, the year started began with a recognition quality programming and coverage of

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