Come Together

This is a regular feature introducing associations and clubs that expats can get involved in. This week, Expat Living spoke to Shyam Paliwal of Indians in Korea ― Ed.

Name of Club: Indians in Korea

Location(s): Seoul, Busan, Daegu and Daejeon

Number of members: 1,584

Started: Jan. 1, 2011

Who is it for?

Indians living in Korea or anyone with very close connection with Indian culture. We welcome Korean spouses of Indian nationals living in Korea, Koreans who have been to India and have a deep desire to know more about our culture.

What goes on?

We celebrate a number of Indian cultural festivals together. These include the festival of Holi wherein people throw colors and water at each other. This year we celebrated it in March at Haeundae Beach in Busan. It was followed by a sumptuous Indian feast. We also organize group tours to places like Lotte World in Seoul and get good discounts as a result of group reservations. We have barbecue picnics on some weekends. We visit festivals organized by various counties in Korea like the Jinhae spring flower festival. We also organize cooking and baking competitions among our members.

Plans for the future?

1. We plan to organize large cultural events to showcase our tradition.

2. Strive to create a positive image for India through transformational thinking and creative contribution.

3. Recognize achievements of India and the Indian community and their impact on Korean society and economy.

4. Provide an outlet for spreading group and personal creative expression and experiences.

5. Promote ideas to create a sense of mutual openness and trust between Koreans and Indians.

How to join:

You may find us on Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/groups/indiakorea/. You can request to join. Once your request is approved you are a member of the community. We provide useful information to our members through notes in Facebook. This information ranges from opening bank accounts, buying cars, renting houses, sending money to India, job openings in Korea, getting a credit card, cheap airfares, foreign schools, obtaining a driving license, marriage procedure and insurance related issues.

Are there any membership fees?

There is no membership fee, we just collect contributions from the members whenever we organize an event. Those who want to participate can pay and join. We also collect money if a member is in distress and urgently needs our help.

What is the highlight of the year?

We celebrate a festival of light called Diwali which symbolizes the victory of good over evil. It occurs in October or November depending on the Lunar calendar. We light candles and oil lamps, make sweets, organize cultural dances and plays, and children’s competitions followed by a grand Indian feast.