American Concrete Institute (ACI) – University of Toronto Chapter
Indian Students’ Organization
ISO aims to celebrate Indian culture, foster community among UofT's Indian diaspora, and support international students' integration into campus life. We pursue these goals through cultural events (festivals, music, dance, cuisine), informational workshops, social gatherings, and alumni networking initiatives. Our programming emphasizes inclusivity across religion, caste, and language, while promoting sustainability, therefore, creating a welcoming space for both Indian students and those curious about India.
Key Accomplishments for 2025-2026
The second edition of our Dholida event (Dholida 2.0) shared similar success to our previous one with 50+ tickets sold. The dance was hosted at Polish Combatants' Hall, with a theme of Indian traditional wear, and a mix of Gujarati and Bollywood music. There was a custom made Photobooth and a photographer on site capturing precious moments, while people gather around in circles to practice the devotional garba dance. The event kicks off with a puja (worship), and attendees enjoy snacks and drinks that remind them of home. This annual event truly embodies the culture of the victory over the evil, representing the worship of creation, fitting it to be the first big event of the year.
Aao kabhi haveli pe, an ISO's Bollywood Halloween Night, is a cultural event that was hosted on the UofT St. George campus, bringing together approximately 70 students. The event combines Bollywood music and dance with a Halloween theme, featuring a glow-in-the-dark atmosphere, interactive games, and Indian food. It serves as an engaging opportunity for students to connect with Indian culture and the broader UofT community in a fun, inclusive setting, also serving as a post midterms de-stressor event.
Our Holi after hours event this year was our largest holi event in recent history, with approximately 350 tickets sold. The event was hosted at Lee's Palace, with a theme of whiteout. Unlike other holi events, this festival was hosted in an indoor dark setting, with colour throwing being an integral part of the festival. We collaborated with two other clubs, the Desi Students' Association, and the Pakistani Hindu Council, and also Skule Photography to have pictures taken at the event apart from the photobooths on site. With so many stakeholders involved, the event has been the most impactful in terms of reach towards the audience and was one of our best managed events of the year.
CPSIF Funding Impact
CPSIF funding has been instrumental in ISO's ability to deliver meaningful, accessible cultural programming to the UofT community. Without this support, events like our Bollywood Halloween Night, which brought together 70 students in an inclusive, culturally enriching environment, would not have been financially viable. Funding allowed us to offer free admission, invest in quality materials, and create an atmosphere that genuinely reflects Indian culture. We are deeply grateful to CPSIF donors for enabling ISO to bridge cultural gaps and foster belonging among both Indian and non-Indian students at UofT St. George.
Our Team Members serving food to attendees during our Dholida event. Photo Taken by Adeetya Kakkar
One of our executive members planning for our last event, the Bollywood Boardroom Games Night. Person in the picture is Dia Kothari. Photo taken by Sudeeksha Singh
Our team members and attendees socialising and interacting with each other during out first Welcome Back event. Photo taken by Dia Kothari
A picture showcasing a typical dance floor, a major part of our events encouraging people to groove to bollywood and indian music. Photo taken by Dia Kothari
A still from our team meeting leading up to the Holi event. Photo taken by Jasreet Kaur
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