The Indian Cultural Association (ICA) of Howard County has been honored with the 2025 Human Rights Award, presented by the Howard County Human Rights Commission and the Office of Human Rights & Equity on October 23, 2025, in Howard County, Maryland.

The recognition, accompanied by an official citation from the Maryland General Assembly, celebrates ICA’s continued contributions to advancing inclusion, equity, and cultural understanding across the region.

“We are deeply honored to receive this recognition,” said Executive Director of ICA, Niti Srivastava, in a statement. “It reflects the collective spirit of our community—elders, youth, volunteers, and partners—who co-create spaces where every voice matters and every tradition is celebrated.”

“At the heart of ICA’s mission is seva, the principle of selfless service,” added Sanjay Srivastava, President of ICA. “This award affirms our belief that cultural celebration is a powerful form of civic engagement. It underscores that cultural pride and human rights advocacy go hand in hand.”

Founded in 2018, the Indian Cultural Association has become a cornerstone for humanities-based programming, youth leadership development, and multicultural events that promote unity through diversity. ICA’s initiatives aim to bridge communities by celebrating shared values, arts, and heritage. They include:

• Hosting the Festival of India, the largest multicultural celebration of its kind in the DMV region, engaging over 100,000 attendees.
• Mobilizing 500+ volunteers to distribute more than 3.5 million pounds of food during the COVID-19 pandemic through the FEED HoCo initiative.
• Creating inclusive, free public events that promote the human right to identity, expression, and belonging.

ICA’s work has earned numerous honors, including:

• The #MDStrong Award from the Governor of Maryland
• The AAPI Heritage Award from the Comptroller of Maryland
• The AARP Maryland Andrus Award
• The Baltimore Ravens Honor Row 

According to the organization, ICA was also voted Best Volunteer Organization in the Baltimore Sun’s “Best of Howard” poll. Its flagship event, the Festival of India, has been named Best Festival in Howard County for three consecutive years.

ICA of Howard County is a nonprofit organization “dedicated to celebrating Indian heritage while fostering cross-cultural understanding and community empowerment in Maryland. ICA’s mission is to build connections by promoting Indian traditions, arts, and values and plays a vital role in enriching the life of Howard County, Maryland,” it added. 

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