Wanted: Indo-American Stories For the Smithsonian

Written by L.A. Chung 

In what the 157-year-old institution describes as "ground-breaking," the Smithsonian is working on a project exploring the heritage, contributions and the daily life of Indian immigrants and Indian Americans.

The Indian American Heritage Project is a historic initiative by the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center "to chronicle the experience of immigrants from India and Indian Americans in the United States."

IAHP, which kicked off June 29 at the New Delhi Restaurant in San Francisco, will include an exhibition, public programs, a curriculum guide for youth, an interactive website, and artifacts donated to the Smithsonian's permanent collection. 

Included in the exhibition will be historical and contemporary images and several dozen artifacts including those documenting histories of discrimination and resistance—Brandon Chillar's Green Bay Packers helmet and Balbir Singh Sodhi's journal—those conveying daily experiences and those symbolizing achievements across the professions. 

Also, Beyond Bollywood: Indian Americans Shape the Nation,  will be exhibited at the National Museum of National History (NMNH). More three milion Indian-American will have their history, contributions, challenges, and perspectives be told. 

The 5,000-square-foot exhibition will explore the heritage, daily experience and numerous, diverse contributions that Indian immigrants and Indian Americans have made to shaping the United States. 

A critical part of the exhibition will be music and visual art works providing commentary on the Indian American experience, the Smithsonian says.

Click here to see how to submit your story and to read others' stories.