American expats in Bangalore celebrate I-Day with gusto

Bangalore, July 4 : Living more than 13,000 km away from their home has not deterred the sizeable American community in India's IT hub Bangalore as they celebrated the American Independence Day Saturday.

Right from hosting luncheon parties to song and dance, the Americans here started celebrations from early afternoon. Several of their fellow Indian friends and colleagues also joined them.

The Indo-American Chamber of Commerce here hosted a special luncheon party.

"It's a special day for us and we're celebrating the day in Bangalore. It is good to see so many of my country fellows under the same roof. We all love America and wish America all the prosperity," Leonard Roberts, commercial specialist at a private firm, US Commercial Service, told IANS while enjoying a sumptuous meal, mostly consisting of American and Indian cuisine at the luncheon.

Around 150 guests attended the party at the Chamber.

Apart from the mouthwatering meal, the expats also enjoyed square dancing and salsa.

Several Americans also threw private parties to mark the day.

"I invited friends for a small brunch party at my home. We had a great time and once again we reiterated our commitment to our country and what America stood for," said American software engineer Anna Libkhen, who is working for an international financial firm here.

Bangalore's reputation as the tech hub of the country has made it a favoured abode of expatriates in recent times.

The city has 35,000-strong expat community, according to the Foreigners Registration Office, in the city police commissioner's office.

An estimated 4,500 of them are Americans, most of whom are either employed in IT companies or are pursuing higher education in various management colleges in the city.

Eric Stuckey, a native of Michigan staying here with his wife Paula and five-year-old daughter Michelle, also celebrated the day with their American friends.

"My wife Paula cooked typical American cuisine including apple pie, roasted ham, sugar-baked sweet potatoes, spicy beef stew and bacon sandwich for the guests," said Eric who is currently working as a software professional for an American IT firm in Bangalore.

Paula missed her hometown a lot on the special day. "Last year I was in America. This time I am missing my home, friends and family," she said with a smile.

Many of her compatriots, however, are at home here.

"Bangalore is like my second home. I love the city, the people and its weather. I am celebrating the day with a dinner party with my 20-odd friends, most of whom are Indians," said Susan David, a management trainee from New York working in a

Bangalore firm.