Check out the other sections about our history on this section of our website : 

Past Committees: Past Executive committees and Boards. 

Expansion: Stories and videos from our recent India Center Expansion 

Year in Review: A recent feature starting 2021 - featuring highlights from the events of the year. 

Passage to America 

Stories from the formation of the society through 2013 

The Past

The India Society of Worcester was founded in 1963 by Mr. Shyam Sharma. Originally called the Indian Association, the society changed its name to clarify the connection to India. Dr. B.L.T. Lingappa was the first President. There were just twenty-five or so Indian residents , including the students in the colleges around the area.

For several years, the Society remained small and quite informal, celebrating Diwali, Republic Day, & Independence Day celebrations as its main activities. Community participation in running the affairs of the Society fluctuated , and Mr. Shyam Sharma deserves kudos for holding the Society together through its formative stages.

The revival of strong interest in the Society occurred during the immigration boom that started in 1985. With the influx of several new Indian residents in the area, there was a powerful desire to see the India Society become a focal point in the Indian community, fulfilling the community’s cultural and social needs. In 1987, the retiring Executive Committee, led by Dr. Satish Gupta, gave the new constitution to the Society. The encouragement and the generous offer of underwriting the costs from Dr. Jitander Kalia allowed ISW to bring renowned artists to Worcester under the ISW Banner. Several successful programs and new activities introduced under the Executive Committees put the Society on a strong footing. The Society started thinking about its place in the wider community, and events such as India Day were born.

A team under the leadership of Dr. Shankar Garg started searching for an ideal location for an “India Center”, and Dr. Keshav Pandey started driving the Society’s first fundraising efforts.

ISW Today

India Society of Worcester today is a vibrant organization with many activities and programs. Its growing membership represents all regions of India. The Society is the window into the cultural heritage of India, not only for Indians but also for the local community in the Greater Worcester area. Its programs provide an outlet for the cultural talents of the young and the old in the community. It participates in many community related causes, here in Central New England as well as in India. ISW today is one of the most active Indian organizations in New England.

In 1991, ISW reached another significant milestone. After many years of search, the India Center subcommittee under the able leaderships of Dr. Shankar Garg and the ISW President Dr. Sahdev Passey, located just the right place for the ISW Community Center. In November of 1991, ISW acquired a 5-acre lot with existing buildings at a prime location in Shrewsbury (152 W. Main Street), just off Exit 22 on Rte. 290. India Center is ISW's home - a community center to fulfill a variety of objectives. India Center building is already being used as the ISW office and for a number of activities, including a cultural school. Plans are under way to build a new India Center that will become a landmark in Central New England.

Check out the Activities page for current programs and activities.