Are you ready for cricket, Indian food, a three-legged race, face painting, and other family events? India Foundation of Metropolitan Princeton, a nonprofit organization established in 1977, presents its annual family picnic on Sunday, August 18, at Mercer County Park. The event is open to everyone in the community. Though reservations are not required it is appreciated to plan for food. Members gain free admission. Family membership is $30 per year. Admission for non-members is $15.
“The picnic is our annual event, and we time it around the 15th of August, which is India’s independence day,” says Pradeep Gupta of West Windsor. “We have food, music, games, bingo, races, cricket, volleyball, and lots of other stuff. The mayor of West Windsor and the council people almost always join us to celebrate this event.”
Gupta has been involved in the IFMP since 2000 and joined the executive committee in 2007. He became president this year. Born and raised in Delhi, India, his father worked for the government of India and his mother was a teacher. They are both retired and living in India.
Gupta received an undergraduate degree in physics and then completed his master’s in computer science at Delhi University. He came to the United States in 1987. “I have lived in Florida, Texas, and Michigan before settling in New Jersey after getting my citizenship,” he says. He is a freelance contractor. “My areas of expertise include managing software architecture and development,” he says.
His wife, Poonam, is a systems analyst at Prudential in Newark. “My wife has always supported me with all the activities both by being there by my side whenever I needed her and taking care of the household tasks to free me up for IFMP’s activities,” says Gupta. “I wouldn’t be able to do half the things I do, without her support.”
Their daughter, Nikita, 21, graduated from High School South in 2010 and is a rising senior at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore. Their daughter, Ruchika, 16, is a rising sophomore at High School South.
“Both of them have been very active in IFMP’s activities and have hosted as emcees at events,” says Gupta. “Nikita has done face-painting and henna for the picnics and performed and choreographed in the annual function. Ruchika is an active member of the IFMP youth wing, where like-minded kids get together for community service activities.”
The family has lived in West Windsor since 2000. “We liked this area because it was quiet and peaceful and the school system was very good,” says Gupta. “It still is one of the best.”
The organization recently held a benefit for Hurricane Sandy victims. “We plan to host two nights of Garba in October for a traditional Indian dance festival,” he says. “We will have our annual cultural show in December where we have group dances from the local dance institutes.”
Annual Family Picnic, India Foundation of Metropolitan Princeton, Mercer County Park East, Edinburg Road, West Windsor. Sunday, August 18, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Indian food, cricket, face painting, water slides, volleyball, bingo, musical chairs, antakshari, and music. Bring chairs. $15. Register online. Rain or shine. E-mail ifmp@ifmpnj.org for information. 609-297-7116. www.ifmpnj.org.
