When Ole Miss Indian Students Association president Ravneet Singh moved to campus for the first time last year, she missed her home in Punjab, India. She soon found her home away from home in ISA.
Singh said her goal as president this year is to give Indian students on campus the same support she found in the club and to educate others on Indian culture.
“When international students come from India, they do not know anyone here, so we try to make them feel at home through our events,” Singh said.
Singh added that they’re introducing a Bollywood formal this year, featuring a mix of Indian and American music. It will take place October 18 at the Lyric and is open to all students.
The ISA, sponsored by the office of global engagement, also hosts Bollywood movie nights, Diwali and Holi celebrations and monthly meetings that showcase an array of Indian food.
Singh has seen first-hand just how impactful the club can be on students’ lives.
“I joined the club because when I came over to Ole Miss last year I did not know anyone, and when I found the club, I realized that there were other people like me on campus,” Singh said. “I really love Indian culture, and I like how there is a place here where it was celebrated.”
Singh said she found the Indian community nonexistent when she first arrived on campus and struggled to find a place in Oxford. She estimated that there are around 140 Indian students on campus (university enrollment data does not specify the number of Indian students).
She hopes that other international students who join the club don’t experience what she went through during her first few weeks.
As the new president, Singh said her goal is to have students of all nationalities to join the club so Indian culture can be spread to as many students as possible.
“We always have Indian food at every event, and I want to share that with others unfamiliar with the culture,” Singh said. “I do not want people to think Indian culture is strange, and I hope they can see that through the club.”
Joining the club and attending each monthly meeting is not required to participate in all the events. After paying a membership fee, students can take part in all the club has to offer, Singh said.
The ISA’s largest event is India Night, a celebration devoted to educating others on Indian culture. Both students and members of the Indian community in Oxford take the stage for performances ranging from singing and dancing to fashion shows.
“India Night is another way to showcase our culture to everyone through many performances and games as well as a lot of food for everyone, and there is no cost,” Singh said. “We just want everyone to come, watch, eat and learn more about India.”
ISA Vice President Krishna Patel said she joined ISA plan new events that everyone would “love and enjoy.”
“I also want to inform everyone that this club is not only just for Indians, but for all races that would love to take part in the Indian culture,” Krishna Patel said.
Krishna Patel said she is most excited for the Bollywood themed formal that she helped create. It will be centered around Bollywood music and a few dance performances. She said she is confident the event will be a success and will become a favorite for those who attend.
“This club is important to me because I know that there are a lot of international students that miss their homes and events that they have been a part of,” Krishna Patel said. “By being in this club and creating events I hope I would help everyone make friends and feel closer to home.”
Events coordinator Himani Patel, from Ahmedabad, India, joined the club because she missed celebrating Indian holidays and wanted to make friends similar to her.
“One of the things I recently realized is that it is very important to stay in touch with your roots and never forget where you came from,” Himani Patel said. “For Indian international students, it’s like home away from home and for all the American-born Indian students it’s a great way to stay in touch with the culture.”
Last year, Patel performed a mash-up of classic music at India Night. She said it was an impactful event and she enjoyed supporting her friends on stage.
Her favorite thing about the club is sharing her love of Indian culture with others.
“The best thing about (ISA) is that it is open to everyone, regardless of their nationality,” Himani Patel said. “Anyone is welcome who wants to enjoy and celebrate Indian culture and that’s what I love most about this organization.”
