Tiranga United celebrates Desi culture and connects SUNY Plattsburgh students and Plattsburgh community members through traditional celebrations.
The club started on campus in 2016 under the name Indian Culture and Entertainment Club but it was changed to Tiranga United last semester to be more inclusive and because of the negative connotation that comes along with abbreviation ICE.
When they changed the name they also made the decision to assign every semester a different focus which they build their weekly meetings around.
“It is important for people to have a club where you learn different things,” senior psychology major and Tiranga United Club president Ivanna Menezes said. “Like yeah I could take a class and learn about it but would you rather go to a class and sit in and listen to a lecture about it or would you rather go and meet other people that may not be your same cultural background but your same in your same age group people that you interact with on a regular basis?”
They aim to have a diverse membership, Menezes said. Their eboard in past years has been made up of only individuals of Indian Descent, but this semester their PR person is Chinese American, their treasurer is Hispanic and their vice president is Pakastani.
“Currently it’s a diverse bunch bringing the best of Desi culture,” Menezes said.
This semester the club celebrated Eid and Diwali, the festival of lights. Menezes said it attracts students, faculty, staff and Plattsburgh families every year.
Tiranga United Club meets every Tuesday at 8 pm in meeting room 8 of the Angell College Center. They are currently looking for a new secretary.
“It’s important that we have that diversity if it wasn’t diverse how would there ever be unity?” Menezes said.
