Kildare's Indian community celebrate culture 

A recent event of music, dance and much colour brought many of the Indian community of Co Kildare to Kilcullen Community Centre.

The occasion was organised by Kushi, Kildare United Indians for Social Harmony and Integration, a group that originated when some friends from Indian origin, with cllr Peggy O'Dwyer's guidance, set up as an organisation affiliated with the Kildare PPN network.

The Kilcullen event was an opportunity for members of some 300 families resident in Kildare to mingle, showcase aspects of Indian culture in song and dance, and share Indian food. Such events are also an opportunity for the children of Indian families, many of whom were born in Ireland, to take part in celebrations of their own culture.

Special guests were Minister Martin Heydon and cllr Peggy O'Dwyer in her capacity as Mayor of the Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District.

Cllr O'Dwyer thanked the organisers for their invitation to the event, saying it was a great privilege to be there.

"It is very important that your younger children have the opportunity to experience their own culture, through arts and sports and play, while their families are also integrating into Kildare where they are living."

Minister Heydon said the growing Indian population in Kildare is enriching the local society as well as offering much in the pharmaceutical and information technology sectors, and particularly in the caring professions.

"I can only imagine how hard it is to live somewhere so far from home," he said. "That's why it is so important that the next generation, your children, experience aspects of their own culture through organisations like Kushi, while our local authority will do everything possible to help with integration into our own society."

The Indian community in County Kildare has grown significantly in recent years, most prominently as professionals in the healthcare and IT areas. While some families have lived here for longer, the collective presence has become more prominent in recent years, marked since 2018 by celebrations of the Deepavali and Spring festivals.

The idea for Kushi came with recognition of the need for a formal organisation to represent the interests of the Indian community. The group was officially inaugurated as a Public Participation Network (PPN) with Kildare County Council in February of this year, offering a structured platform to engage more actively with local governance, access resources, and foster closer ties with the Indian Embassy.

Kushi members have proudly participated in the St Patrick's Day parade in Newbridge, showcasing the vibrant Indian culture as part of Ireland’s national celebration and have taken part in the June Fest and the Newbridge Dance Festival. A Yoga workshop on International Yoga Day emphasised the importance of physical and mental well-being and also introduced traditional Indian practices to the local community, furthering the goal of cultural integration.

By participating in local events and working closely with Kildare County Council, Kushi aims to contribute positively to the social and cultural fabric of the region, building a harmonious and inclusive community for all.