The fifth  annual Unity Dinner -- an event that celebrates the city of Fremont's diversity -- is  being hosted March 24 at the Newark-Fremont Hilton, sponsored by the  Indo-American Community Federation.Fremont community activist  Jeevan Zutshi is the organizer. He moved to the United States from Kashmir 33 years ago and hosts the dinner as a way to  bring people of different faiths and cultures together. This year, Zutshi's  theme of ``unity'' will coincide with Fremont's 50th anniversary. Zutshi has lined up  entertainers representing various countries, including Italy, China,Mexico and India.This  year's keynote speaker is U.S. Rep. Mike Honda, D-Campbell. Other elected  officials expected to attend are Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi, state  Assemblyman Alberto Torrico, D-Fremont, Alameda County Supervisor Scott Haggerty, San Jose Vice Mayor Cindy Chavez and Hayward City Councilman Bill Quirk.As of this  week, Zutshi said, 200 tickets have been sold and there are 130 seats left. The  evening begins at 6:15 p.m. Ticket prices are $70 a person,$130 per couple and  $600 for a table of 10. Checks can be made to IACF, 719 Boar Circle, Fremont, Calif.,  94539. For more  information, click on www.indocommunity.us_ (http://www.indocommunity.us/) .

-- Lisa Fernandez   

http://www.tricityvoice.com/currentnew.php

Unity Festival  
Tri-City  Voice    
by Sunil  Dhar

Unity  Festival  Celebrating our  Community
The  start of the Unity Festival was born of the national tragedy which occurred on September 11, 2001. The Indo-American Community Federation  (IACF) began celebrating the diversity of cultural backgrounds in the  Tri-City area as a way of promoting understanding and positive relations  between the communities. The Unity Dinner has succeeded in uniting the  communities and given the community a chance to gain a broader  understanding of each other. This has led to new events, such as the Unity  Festival jointly held in October 2005 by the IACF and Ohlone College."We started  organizing Unity Dinners right after the events of September 11, 2001,"  said Jeevan Zutshi, founder and chairman of IACF. "It was important to  bring people of different backgrounds and cultures together to foster unity in the community.

"The Unity Festival was originally set for  January to coincide with the birthday celebration of American Civil Rights  leader Martin Luther King. However, this year, the City of Fremont was  celebrating its 50th anniversary of
incorporation as a city. As a result,  the Unity Dinner was re-scheduled to occur on March 24. It will return to  a January date in 2007.

The theme this year is the celebration of  community service. Honorees at the Unity Dinner this year will be the  Fremont Chamber of Commerce and the Celebrate Fremont committee. The  Fremont Chamber of Commerce is responsible for organizing the largest arts  festival in the Bay Area. With over 400,000 attendees over two days, the  Fremont Festival of the Arts has become the destination to celebrate our  business and cultural communities. The Celebrate Fremont committee has  been working hard to foster the celebration of Fremont's 50th Anniversary celebration and to help lay a foundation for the future of the diverse community. "Only by understanding where we have been, can we  discover our future together." said Zutshi.

The keynote speaker  this year is Congressman Mike Honda. Congressman Honda has been a very  strong voice of multi-cultural unity in the Bay Area as well as in  Congress.

The Unity Dinner will be held this year on Friday, March  24, 2006 at the Newark-Fremont Hilton. Festivities will include  performances by many talented community members including a Mexican Ballet  Folklorico, Indian Bhangra,
Chinese Xing Jong Dance, folk song and Fan  Dance. After dinner, dancing is scheduled with a DJ present to play the  songs of your choice.

Please visit www.indocommunity.us or contact  Jeevan Zutshi (510) 589-3702
for tickets and additional  information.

Unity Dinner
Friday, March 24
6 p.m. - Midnight  
Newark-Fremont Hilton
39900 Balentine Drive, Newark