India Association of Minnesota (IAM) loves and respects the land and beauty of Minnesota. “Minnesota is the best place to live in the United States,” says board member Suyash Jains  “you don’t have to make people love Minnesota; it’s loved by default.” 

Representing Indian people in Minnesota that hail from all 29 Indian states, there’s often a way to connect Indian events, holidays and festivals to the natural places in Minnesota. India Fest, for example, attracts thousands of people from both inside and outside the Twin Cities on the green spaces around the State Capital. IAM works in sustainable ways to leave no trace behind at these events, eliminating plastic water bottles in favor of compostable cups, reducing plastic usage, and incorporating QR codes instead of paper brochures. 

IAM makes a conscious effort to learn about the outdoors and their role as stewards of the places they love: “Minnesota is home. We’re all here together, so we need to take care of our home together. We’re always looking for opportunities to keep our home clean and safe.”