Our Story

In the early 1970s, a small group of Indian families made their home in the Southern Tier region of New York. While they embraced their new surroundings, they longed for the familiar rhythms, colors, and stories of the homeland they left behind. What started as casual gatherings in living rooms soon blossomed into something deeper—a heartfelt effort to keep their culture alive, not just for themselves, but for their children growing up in a new world.

And so, the Southern Tier India Cultural Association (STICA) was born and established in 1994.

From the very beginning, STICA was more than a cultural group. It was a circle of belonging—a place where traditions were not only preserved but celebrated. Through music, dance, language, food, and festivals, the founding families created a space where Indian heritage could thrive and be shared proudly with the wider community.

Rooted in the spirit of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”—the world is one family—STICA continues to bring people together across generations and cultures. Our doors are always open, welcoming everyone who believes in the beauty of diversity and the power of shared stories.

STICA works toward "Building bridges across cultures".