WELCOME TO COLAIAPA
Connecting Indian American County Employees Of Indian Origin and Spreading Diversity
The County of Los Angeles Indian American Professional Association (COLAIAPA)celebrated its first cultural event, “Diwali (Festival of Lights)” at the Little India Village in Artesia on December 4, 2010
COLAIAPA is a newly formed non-profit association by employees of Los Angeles County with South Asian Indian origin. The executive committee members were officially sworn in by Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky of the Third District on December 16, 2010 at his office in the Hall of Administration (see picture below). The association is committed to bringing a high level of professionalism, ethics, efficiency and diversity at different levels into the County.
The association has fostered close relationships with other associations within the County to collaboratively build the County as a place to work effectively, exchange ideas and thoughts, and bridge the gaps between cultures, races, religions and communities. It will also take a proactive role in relevant social issues (e.g. human trafficking and slavery), business issues (e.g. public-private partnership) and cultural issues (e.g. sharing world cultures).
The association's kick-off Diwali event was held to inform new members about its mission, objectives, annual events and introduction of the executive members. The event started with lighting of lamps, orientation to attendees about the meaning of Diwali, followed by cultural programs that included classical Indian dances, Hindi “Bollywood” songs and dances, and group performances by kids. This was well attended by several representatives from the County Board of Supervisors and State government, mayors from the cities of Artesia and Cypress, County association representatives as well as Indian American County employees from different departments. The night ended with an Indian dinner for all the guests.