Story of IAGSC
It all started in the fall of 1987! Three families in Bridgewater area ..the Modys (Hema and Harshad), the Parikhs (Deepika and Kirit) and the Thakkars (Rita and Harsh) decided to do something special for Diwali, something other than a get together at some one’s place, something involving the growing Indian community around them. The idea of an Indian Association was thus conceived.
The idea got a concrete start as the three families organized a Christmas Party at the V.F.W. Hall in Kendall Park. The party was a roaring success. The idea of a local association for the growing Indian community got a very enthusiastic support. Many families expressed willingness to join and help. More meetings followed at the Parikhs and two more families…the Parmars (Dhun and Pratap) and the Saxenas (Manju and Ashok) joined the effort of giving this idea a shape. Finally, in the spring of 1988, the “Indian Association of Somerset County” was founded in a meeting at the Parmar residence.
Soon, a working committee was nominated, with Dr. Kishore Jobanputra being appointed as the first President of IASC. Later that year, a formal executive committee was elected, Initial Bye-Laws were created and IASC achieved its formal “not-for -profit” status. In 1999 the first Board of Trustees was installed. A set of tables on the next page shows the people who have volunteered to become IASC’s executive committee members and officers or a trustee over the years. One of the hallmarks of the IASC spirit is that even though the committee has been changing every year through democratically held elections, we still get excellent participation and support from our earlier leaders. In addition, our success and growth has been possible due to help from countless volunteers and sponsors…a list too large to fit in here. . IASC has been growing very fast.