Under the theme of a celebration of community service, the Indo-American Community Federation’s “Unity Dinner 2006″ united various ethnic communities in California, at a sold out gathering at the Newark-Fremont Hilton Hotel March 24.

Scores of public officials attended, including Congressman Mike Honda, California Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi, State Assembly members Alberto Torrico and Johan Klehs, and Alameda county supervisors, Mayors, Council members and elected and appointed board members.

After the 9/11(terrorist attacks), I saw a need for an event like this, which can bring public officials together with the diverse community leadership,” said IACF Founder Jeevan Zutshi, who stressed the need for Indian Americans to be more involved in issues like homelessness, hospitals and schools.

Garamendi said that the unity dinner “was a demonstration of unity of the human spirit incoming together and sharing histories and experiences.